The long-delayed new Tesla Roadster supercar is scheduled to make its world premiere on October 15, following nearly a decade of development, with customers having placed deposits of at least $50,000.

Quick Overview

Tesla Motors (TSLA) plans to unveil the repeatedly postponed Roadster supercar on October 15 in Waco, Texas.

The car does not need to actually fly, but it had better become the fastest vehicle on the planet. That is the expectation Todd Haushalter holds for the repeatedly delayed Roadster supercar, which will be revealed next week in Waco, Texas.

"I want it to vastly surpass every existing wheeled vehicle and become the most stunning car in history," Haushalter said.

Meeting that standard will not be easy. Nearly a decade ago, he paid a $250,000 deposit to reserve his place in line, and his expectations have been climbing ever since.

The new Roadster is the successor to Tesla's original sports car, first unveiled in November 2017. Since then, Tesla has intermittently opened reservations, requiring prospective owners to put down at least $50,000, with some customers paying more to secure a spot on the waiting list.

Todd Haushalter, an executive at a Las Vegas online gaming company, placed his order just weeks after the car's debut. Documents he provided show that his $250,000 deposit secured him one of 1,000 "Founder Series" Roadster slots. (The car's final price has still not been announced.)

Tesla initially claimed production would begin in 2020, but that did not happen. Over the years, Haushalter grew increasingly anxious, fearing he would never receive the perpetually delayed car, and even wrote to Tesla's board of directors without receiving any reply.

During a 2024 investor call, CEO Elon Musk thanked "long-suffering deposit holders" for their patience. On September 12, Haushalter received the first message from the automaker since making his payment: an invitation to an event called "Prepare for Launch." The event was originally scheduled for October 1 but was postponed due to thunderstorms.

Tesla is now pushing forward with what is likely the most expensive model in its history, while its core passenger vehicle business has seen its priority decline. Musk has said the new Roadster will be Tesla's last human-driven vehicle, as the company shifts its focus toward humanoid robots.

Tesla did not respond to media requests for comment.

Former Tesla president Jon McNeill believes that launching this extremely high-priced, niche-positioned model can improve the company's cash flow, while long-term businesses like humanoid robots will take a long time to generate returns.

"Ferrari has proven that even with very low production volumes, the auto industry can still make big money if the pricing is high enough," McNeill said.

In 2017, Musk introduced the car as capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 mph and a full-charge range of 620 miles. In 2024, he raised expectations further, saying the Roadster's 0-60 acceleration would be even stronger and that "this is just the least impressive thing about it."

For reference, Formula 1 cars accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds; some production cars, such as the high-performance version of the Tesla Model S, can also break the 2-second barrier.

Industry analyst and engineer Sam Abuelsamid cautioned that pushing beyond that acceleration level would require testing in a highly controlled environment with a professional driver and fire-suppression equipment in place. "I would not recommend that ordinary people try it."

Beyond ground-level speed, Musk has even hinted that the Roadster could use technology from his rocket company SpaceX to hover or even fly. In 2018, he mentioned that an optional SpaceX package could improve the vehicle's acceleration, braking and cornering performance. "This configuration might even allow a Tesla to fly," he added.

McNeill, who left Tesla in 2018, revealed that a decade ago, Tesla engineers were already studying SpaceX thrusters to further enhance the Roadster's performance. In 2019, Musk reposted a fictional image showing the vehicle hovering several feet off the ground, with a caption referencing the Roadster.

On September 29, the U.S. Patent Office published a Tesla patent for a ducted fan system that can improve braking stability and increase cornering speed. According to a patent filing Tesla submitted in 2024, the electric fan system can increase downforce and reduce aerodynamic drag.

Phil Trubey

Phil Trubey also paid $250,000 to reserve a "Founder Series" Roadster. He is not fixated on top speed, as his current high-performance Tesla Model S already exceeds his driving ability.

"One press of the accelerator and I feel dizzy immediately," said the San Diego tech entrepreneur and investor. "I simply cannot imagine what the Roadster would feel like to drive."

On October 15, Trubey will travel to Texas with his son to witness the car's unveiling in person. But not all reservation holders can accept the long wait.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, also a business rival of Musk, said last year that after paying a $50,000 deposit in 2018, he ultimately chose to cancel his reservation. Altman said a seven-and-a-half-year wait was simply too long. Musk responded during a dispute with Altman on X that the deposit had been refunded.

Jerry Hisley

Documents reviewed show that Texas car collector and freelance automotive writer Jerry Hisley successfully recovered in 2025 the $50,000 deposit he paid in 2017 to reserve a standard Roadster. Hisley said that over time, he grew increasingly worried he would never receive the car. "I actually really want this car now. To be honest, maybe I should have kept waiting."