- The Washington Times - Thursday, February 29, 2024

Elon Musk first touted a second-generation Tesla Roadster in 2017.

It’s still not a reality. But the CEO recently took to his X social media platform to hype the performance EV.

“Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster. There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car,” Mr. Musk wrote Wednesday.

Tesla’s executive team has announced the completion of the design phase for the long-anticipated Roadster, setting the stage for an official reveal of the production model slated for the end of this year. Although the company projects customer deliveries to start in 2025,

Tesla’s history with deadlines suggests a cautious approach to these timelines may be wise.

Nearly seven years since Tesla first unveiled the Roadster concept, speculation on whether it will fulfill its ambitious initial technical specifications is at an all-time high. Back in 2017, the electric automaker claimed the Roadster would accelerate 0 to 60 mph in a staggering 1.9 seconds and complete a 0-100 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds.

But now, Mr. Musk says the Roadster can hit 60 mph in less than 1 second. “And that is the least interesting part,” he boasted.

Prospective buyers are currently invited to place reservations for the new Roadster, with each booking requiring a deposit of $50,000.

Tesla has maintained a price range for the Roadster between $200,000 and $250,000 depending on the configuration.

Nonetheless, compared to high-end competitors like the Rimac Nevera — a $2 million hypercar that lacks the Roadster’s additional seats and convertible option — Tesla’s offering may present a more value-oriented proposition to performance enthusiasts. This is particularly the case when juxtaposed with other luxury electric speedsters, such as the $1 million McMurtry Speirling.

• Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.

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