Tesla Roadster Finally Unveiled After 9 Years. In My Opinion, It Is a Flip, Not a Car

As Electrek reported, Tesla streamed the unveiling of its next-generation Roadster last night. The car was first shown as a prototype in November 2017 with production promised for 2020. This year alone, the reveal moved from April to late April, then to August, then to October 1, and finally to October 15.

The new Roadster takes design cues from the Cybertruck, Cybercab and Optimus. Tesla offers three versions: Performance (0-60 mph in under 1.6 seconds, available by reservation), Thrust (rear cold-gas thrusters, under 0.9 seconds, limited release) and Rocket (one seat, thrusters around the car for jumps and flips, under 0.59 seconds, over 230 mph, invite-only). Tesla quotes over 300 miles of range. In 2017 it promised 620 miles, over 250 mph and four seats. Electrek’s Fred Lambert said the stunts are on trims that are “invite-only or limited, and not road legal”.

In this article: My first reaction: a prototype from the 80s · My prediction was right · Where is the money from 2017? · Paid for one car, shown another · Would I pay the $50,000 deposit? · Does it fly, or just jump? · The Rocket: not even allowed on the road · Would you feel safe next to it? · Xiaomi and BYD already do it, and look better · A step toward Tesla and SpaceX merging? · 2028? Not even 2030 · What Tesla should do instead · FAQ

My first reaction: a prototype from the 80s

When I saw this car, I told myself it is some prototype, and a very ugly one. For me, this is not a nice car at all in terms of design. It is more a look back to the future, and really to the 80s. I like old cars, but because they are old. Not in 2026, coming with a design from the 80s.

And the presentation. I had the feeling that Musk just came by to watch the show himself and did not know what to say. It sounded very embarrassing. In my opinion, it was the most awkward presentation it could have been. They were not prepared. They just hung there and talked in a way that I felt embarrassed to watch.

Even readers on Hacker News wrote that it felt like “a skit at a talent show”. I am not the only one.

My prediction was right

I said it before, in my Roadster event article: a car that flies and accelerates insanely is just a myth, and in my opinion Elon knows himself it will not come even in 10 years. Please, what kind of car did they show now? An embarrassing prototype that nobody will really let on the roads.

In my opinion, this is just manipulation, and Elon knows that nobody in a healthy mind would let this on the road. And meanwhile he again collects money for the next prototype.

Where is the money from 2017?

This is for me the most important question. People paid nine years ago. Their money sat with Tesla for nine years, and now Tesla collects again. What is that even? It fascinates me that everybody talks about the flips, but nobody asks if this is normal.

How can a company led by one of the richest people on the planet collect money from people like a startup? Tesla calls the first $5,000 fully refundable. But then it wants another $45,000 within 10 days, or the reservation is canceled, for a car with no price and no production date. In my opinion, regulators should take a close look at how this works. Where do we live, for God’s sake?

As one Hacker News reader put it: “aka a $245,000 loan to Tesla with no interest for 10 years.”

Paid for one car, shown another

This is another problem. In 2017, Musk collected money for a completely different car, with a completely different design, and it was about something completely different. Now he wants money again, for a two-seat car with 300 miles of range. What kind of stunt is that? Elon, look at the competition. We had range like this around 2020.

And with only 2 seats, in my opinion the DeLorean was a very big inspiration. Very embarrassing. In my opinion, many people feel the same way: we did not pay a reservation for this. For me, it feels like misleading the customer.

Would I pay the $50,000 deposit?

Me? I would not give even $100. Why would I wait for production? When normal production starts, I would just buy the car normally.

I would not trust again someone who promised us a car nine years ago. Now it moved to 2028, so somebody will wait 11 years for a car. And they were collecting money for a completely different car. I am 90% sure it will not be here even in 2028.

Does it fly, or just jump?

I do not even know how to say it. Imagine the car jumps, but it does not even really jump. For me, it looked more like a car shaking in the air than flying. In my opinion, this is the most embarrassing marketing. In one word: another farce from Elon Musk, nothing more.

Electrek’s own technical breakdown makes the point too: thrusters pushing the car up do not make it faster on a track. They only make the tires work less. The flip is pure show.

Some people say the engineering is impressive. I will say that when this car is really produced and sold, not now, on an ugly prototype.

The Rocket: not even allowed on the road

And this is the best part. The best thing they showed is not even allowed on the road. So what is this whole demo, and what is the money collected for? Nobody knows.

In my opinion, Musk went too far here. Someone should start looking into all these reservations. I really do not like it. We do not get it: why did they not say, you pay for a reservation, but you will get neither the first car that was mega wow in 2017, nor the embarrassing one that does a flip?

Would you feel safe next to it?

Please, would you not be scared? Where do you know what kind of person, and in what state, drives this flipping machine on the road? I would be terrified if I knew that in front of me someone, maybe not fully balanced or under some influence, starts doing flips on a highway or in a city. It is really scary. I cannot imagine it.

Tesla is not doing well lately with road safety. Just this week, Tesla confirmed Autopilot/FSD was engaged when a car crossed a median and killed a man. I imagine what comes next. I hope regulators stop a car like this right away.

Readers worry too. One wrote: “Lithium batteries and pressurised tanks in the same package, yippee!” Another: “If this is real, it’s going to kill people.”

Xiaomi and BYD already do it, and look better

It is not only that they can do it. Those cars look much better and more beautiful. Elon makes a show, and some people then go and pay him $50,000. That is quite an expensive host. In my opinion, he changed jobs, judging by what we see in recent years.

The most liked comment on Electrek said it simply: less range and less performance than the Denza Z or the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, “but at twice the price. Well done Elon, well done.”

Where is the engineer we knew, smart, a visionary? In my opinion, he went too far into the show. He knows how to make scandals everywhere, a few robotaxis, and his comments everywhere, even where they do not belong. But we already see that in sales he is not the leader. The competition passed him long ago. Maybe that helps put him back with his feet on the ground and he comes back to doing good things. But I rather see a man who is slowly eaten by his own ego, and that is sad.

A step toward Tesla and SpaceX merging?

Judging by what he used in the demo car, the thrusters, yes. It is already a rocket in a Tesla. Electrek also wrote that the intro felt like building a reason to link Tesla and SpaceX. But I think investors will not appreciate it if Tesla merges with SpaceX.

2028? Not even 2030

We have to look soberly at the prototype. In my opinion, it did not look ready for a production line, not even 3% ready. That is why I am 90% sure it will not come even in 2028. I am more than sure that this car cannot go on sale the way they showed it. It will not come even in 2030. I am sure about that, this is my opinion. And surely again there will be an excuse about the weather.

What Tesla should do instead

Tesla has had enough of chasing the show. Just do normal things. I think my viewers and readers agree: Tesla is not a company that makes cars anymore. We hear only about cars that are not here. It is just a PR machine. Big promises, and after the facts, one embarrassment after another.

Featured image: the new Tesla Roadster. Image: Tesla

This article is opinion.

Tesla Roadster 2026: FAQ

When will the new Tesla Roadster go into production?

Tesla gave no firm date. Elon Musk said “2028, actually” during the event. The Roadster was first shown in 2017 with production promised for 2020.

How much is the Tesla Roadster reservation?

$5,000 at order, which Tesla calls fully refundable, plus another $45,000 within 10 days, or the reservation is canceled. That is the same $50,000 total as in 2017.

How much does the new Tesla Roadster cost?

Tesla has not announced a price for any of the three versions.

What are the three Roadster versions?

Performance (0-60 mph under 1.6 s, by reservation), Thrust (rear cold-gas thrusters, under 0.9 s, limited) and Rocket (one seat, jumps and flips, under 0.59 s, over 230 mph, invite-only and not approved for public roads).

Can the Tesla Roadster really fly?

The Rocket version uses cold-gas thrusters to jump and flip over short distances. Critics say it jumps rather than flies, and it is not approved for public road use.

How does the new Roadster compare to the 2017 promise?

Range dropped from 620 miles to over 300, top speed from over 250 mph to over 230 mph, and seats from four to two. Acceleration claims are faster than in 2017.

Sources: Tesla, Electrek, Hacker News readers.

Our Take

Tesla showed a flip, not a car.

In my opinion, people who paid in 2017 deserve a car or a clear answer, not a new deposit request. Until there is a price and a real production date, I would not pay a cent.