Tesla has scheduled the final unveiling of the second-generation Roadster for October 1, 2026. The event, teased through official channels with a “10.01” date stamp and the phrase “Go for launch,” is set to take place in Waco, Texas.
The choice of location is significant, as Waco sits in close proximity to SpaceX’s McGregor rocket test facility. This positioning aligns with Tesla’s long-standing claims regarding a “SpaceX package” for the vehicle, which is expected to utilize cold-gas thrusters to enhance performance and potentially allow for brief periods of hovering.
The upcoming reveal marks the end of a protracted development cycle. Tesla first showcased the Roadster prototype in November 2017, promising a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 1.9 seconds. Since then, CEO Elon Musk has radically increased those performance targets, claiming the production version equipped with the SpaceX package will be capable of reaching 60 mph in under one second.
While the October 1 event is intended as the definitive reveal of the production-ready car, actual manufacturing is still several steps away. Current projections suggest that production of the Roadster will not begin until 2027 or 2028. This timeline follows years of delays that have tested the patience of reservation holders, many of whom paid significant deposits nearly a decade ago.
The 2026 reveal date also serves to clear up confusion regarding Tesla’s upcoming schedule. Some initial reports had conflated the Roadster debut with the dedicated Robotaxi event scheduled for October 10, 2024. However, the “10.01” branding specifically targets the 2026 date for the sports car’s demonstration.
Pricing for the Roadster remains a point of interest for the industry. At the 2017 unveiling, Tesla quoted a base price of $200,000, with a limited “Founders Series” priced at $250,000. It is currently unclear if these figures will be adjusted to reflect inflation or the technical revisions made during the car’s nine-year development path. The Waco event is expected to clarify these final specifications, along with the street-legality of the specialized thruster systems.
