With increasing expectations for the Tesla Roadster in 2026, this model is expected to revolutionize the way consumers think about electric sports cars. The **Roadster, which was originally scheduled to return in 2021, was postponed due to production delays, but is now finally ready for production. The second-generation Roadster makes significant improvements over its predecessor, adding two smaller rear seats, significantly longer range, and a higher level of performance. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has proudly announced that the Roadster concept car accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour at 197 seconds and a top speed of 402 km/h. These incredible performance figures, if confirmed when this sports car is finally launched, will be very exciting. Musk's recent claim that the 0-to-100 km/h acceleration time of less than a second may be a bit too optimistic, but more information on the Roadster will soon be known, with Tesla saying the car is expected to be unveiled in late 2024 and available sometime in 2025.
In 2026, the Tesla Roadster will be a new addition to Tesla's product line, resurrecting the name used for the company's first model in 2008. The car is expected to sell from $200,000 and can go up to $250,000 depending on the configuration and options**. Tesla claims to offer a base version of the Roadster, priced at $200,000, and a limited edition Founder's Series for an additional $50,000. It's unclear what the difference will be between the two, except that only 1,000 Founders Series models will be built. If you're a collector, it might be worth the extra investment, otherwise, save the money. We'll update this story as more details about the standard and optional features of this car are announced.
Little is known about the Roadster's electric powertrain, but all-wheel drive is expected as standard. Tesla's mainstream electric model uses two electric motors at the front and rear to drive four wheels, so it's reasonable to believe that the Roadster will also have the same setup. Tesla may also develop a special setup for the Roadster, which may include four electric motors, each driving one wheel.
Expect Tesla to deliver its latest and greatest driver assistance technology on the Roadster, including its famous Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system. Key safety features include:
Standard automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist.
Optional adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous driving mode.
The Roadster is expected to offer the same standard warranty** as Tesla's other models, including an eight-year warranty on the vehicle's electric motor and battery pack. Unlike competitors like the Audi R8 or Jaguar F-Type, Tesla is unlikely to offer a free scheduled maintenance schedule.
The limited warranty covers four years or 100,000 km.
The powertrain warranty covers eight years, regardless of mileage.
There is no free scheduled maintenance.