Tesla Sets October 1 Reveal for Long-Delayed Roadster

Tesla has scheduled a public reveal event for its next-generation Roadster for October 1, 2026, marking the first concrete timeline for the long-delayed electric sports car since its prototype debuted in 2017. The event is set for 8:30 p.m. Eastern in Waco, Texas, and will include a live demonstration of the vehicle's SpaceX-developed cold gas thruster technology, which is intended to allow the car to hover. The announcement, made via a "Go for launch" teaser on Tesla's social media and website, comes after at least eight previous delays for the Roadster, which was originally promised for production in 2020. CEO Elon Musk has previously indicated that production and deliveries would not begin until 2027 or 2028, suggesting the October event is a showcase rather than a delivery milestone. The planned demonstration vehicle will be remotely operated due to the noise and force of the thrusters, with spectators to be kept hundreds of yards back. Reports indicate the demo may feature a limited-edition "flying Roadster" that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, while a separate street-legal version would be the actual model for sale.