Tesla Design Chief Reiterates New Roadster 'Very Soon'

Tesla's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, reiterated that the company's next-generation Roadster is scheduled for release "very soon." This statement was made during an appearance on the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, a program hosted by the former host of The Tonight Show.

When pressed by Jay Leno regarding the vehicle's imminent arrival, von Holzhausen confirmed the "very soon" timeline. Leno, known for his dry wit and extensive car collection, responded with a pointed remark about the nearly ten-year delay since the Roadster's initial unveiling. Tesla first revealed the new Roadster in November 2017, at which time the company projected production and deliveries to commence by 2020. This original timeline has since been repeatedly extended.

The original Tesla Roadster, launched in 2008, was an all-electric sports car based on a Lotus Elise chassis. It achieved a production run of approximately 2,500 units before ceasing production in 2012. The subsequent iteration, announced in 2017, was presented as a significant upgrade, boasting ambitious performance figures. These included a claimed 0-60 mph acceleration time of 1.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 250 mph, and a range of up to 620 miles on a single charge, attributed to a 200 kWh battery pack. The company also proposed a "SpaceX package" option that would incorporate small rocket thrusters to further enhance acceleration and top speed.

Throughout the years following its 2017 reveal, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has provided various updates on the Roadster's development, often pushing back projected launch dates. Factors cited for these delays have included the company's focus on scaling up production of its mass-market vehicles, such as the Model 3 and Model Y, as well as challenges related to battery technology and manufacturing processes. The repeated postponements have led to skepticism among automotive enthusiasts and industry observers regarding the actual timing of the Roadster's market entry. Von Holzhausen's latest comments suggest a renewed push from Tesla to bring the long-awaited electric supercar to fruition, though the precise definition of "very soon" remains to be clarified by concrete production schedules or official announcements from Tesla.