Tesla to Stream Roadster Reveal Thursday After Weather Delay
The event marks nearly nine years since the initial 2017 prototype reveal and follows a postponed October 1 launch date.
Tesla has confirmed it will livestream its next-generation Roadster event this Thursday, October 15, at 7:55 pm Central Time, marking the latest attempt to reveal the vehicle after nearly nine years of delays.
What Happened
The unveiling was originally scheduled for October 1 in Texas but was called off on September 28. Tesla stated at the time that it had been "tracking the weather closely with local meteorologists" and noted that the show "can only be held outdoors." The company subsequently set the new date for October 15 and confirmed the livestream time on X. This event follows a prototype reveal in November 2017, where Tesla promised production for 2020. Since then, production timelines have slipped repeatedly, moving from 2020 to 2021, 2022, 2023, and eventually to 2027 or 2028 as of November 2025. The reveal date itself has also shifted multiple times, moving from late 2025 to April 2026, then late May, August, and finally October.
Why It Matters
The event appears to focus on demonstration rather than immediate consumer availability. Reports suggest the demo will feature SpaceX cold gas thrusters, with Elon Musk previously claiming a 0-60 mph time of under one second using this technology. The demo vehicle is reportedly remote-operated and not street-legal, and the "flying" capability has been scaled back to a short hover. Tesla has also teased a full redesign incorporating angular "Cyber" styling and filed a patent for a fan-car system that creates a vacuum underneath the vehicle. For the thousands of customers who placed $50,000 or $250,000 reservations in 2017, the event may not provide the concrete production start date or final pricing they have been waiting for since the initial announcement.
The Bottom Line
Tesla is proceeding with the Roadster reveal on October 15, emphasizing outdoor stunts and thruster technology over traditional vehicle specifications. The event continues a timeline that has seen at least six production slips and seven unveil date changes since 2017.
