Tesla next-gen Roadster – that mythical speed demon promised back in 2017 – you’re not alone. It’s been a wild ride of delays, bold claims, and enough teaser tweets from Elon Musk to fill a book. But hold onto your steering wheels, because Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, just dropped a bombshell at the X Takeover 2025 event: He called the Roadster the “last, best driver’s car.” Yeah, you read that right.
In a world where Tesla’s pushing hard for self-driving Robotaxis, this electric supercar might be their final love letter to folks who actually enjoy grabbing the wheel. With Musk teasing an “epic demo” later this year, let’s break down what’s new, why it matters, and if this long-awaited beast is worth the wait. We’ll keep it real, American-style – no fluff, just the facts with a side of straight talk.
First off, let’s rewind to how we got here. Tesla unveiled the Roadster concept in 2017 as a surprise “one more thing” during the Semi truck reveal. It was jaw-dropping: A promised 620-mile range on a single charge, a blistering sub-2-second sprint from 0 to 60 mph, and enough torque to make your head spin. Folks could plop down $50,000 (that’s about $66,500 in today’s money, thanks to inflation) to reserve one, or even win it through Tesla’s referral program. Thousands bit, dreaming of a four-seater rocket that could smoke supercars like the Porsche 911 or Ferrari SF90. But fast-forward eight years, and it’s still not here. Delays? Blame everything from battery tech hurdles to Tesla’s focus on Cybertrucks and Robotaxis. It’s starting to feel like vaporware – all talk, no torque.
Enter Lars Moravy, Tesla’s engineering guru, chatting with Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley. He confirmed the Roadster’s alive and kicking: “Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night.” Musk visited the design studio recently, and Moravy says they’re gearing up for a “mind-blowing” demo – echoing Elon’s promise of the “most epic demo ever.” But here’s the twist: Moravy isn’t just hyping specs; he’s framing the Roadster as a swan song for human-driven cars. “Given where Tesla is going with autonomy, we know that it’s a swan song,” he said. “If we’re going to make this transition to autonomy, driving cars turns into like, a luxury. And the Roadster’s got to be the best, right?” Whoa. In Tesla’s vision, steering wheels might soon be as outdated as flip phones. With Robotaxis on the horizon – self-driving cabs that could make owning a car feel old-school – the Roadster could be their grand finale for thrill-seekers.
Let’s unpack that. Tesla’s all-in on autonomy, betting big that full self-driving tech will dominate. Musk talks about “cost per mile” for autonomous fleets, hinting at a future where you summon a ride instead of owning one. It’s like Uber on steroids, but with no driver. If that happens, zipping around in a manual sports car becomes a niche hobby – kinda like horseback riding in the age of cars.
Moravy admits they’ve spent years rethinking the Roadster: “We spent a lot of time last few years rethinking what we did and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting, last, best driver’s car.” Bold words, especially when self-driving acceptance is still iffy. Sure, a recent AutoPacific study shows 43% of new car buyers crave hands-free driving features – double from last year. Tech like GM’s Super Cruise or Ford’s BlueCruise is catching on, but full autonomy? We’re talking years, maybe decades, before it’s everywhere. Folks in rural America or traffic-jammed cities like LA might not ditch their wheels anytime soon.
Now, about those wild promises. The original Roadster teased insane performance: Over 600 miles of range, 1.9-second 0-60, and even a “SpaceX package” with rocket thrusters for hovering or sub-1-second sprints. Moravy says that’s still on the table: “The [SpaceX package is] definitely hard. I was meeting with the SpaceX team last Thursday… We found some really cool ways to get the mass where it needs to be.” They demoed tech to Musk recently, and he got “a little excited.”
But let’s be real – adding rocket tech to a car means extra weight, complex engineering, and safety headaches. At a projected $200,000 price tag, it better deliver. Remember the Cybertruck’s range-extending battery that never materialized? Or the Cyberquad ATV? Tesla’s got a track record of overpromising, and after five years of delays, skepticism is high.
So, is the Roadster really the “last, best driver’s car,” or just another Tesla tease? If it lives up to the hype – mind-blowing acceleration, epic range, and that SpaceX flair – it could be a collector’s dream, a final thrill before autonomy takes over. But with human-operated cars sticking around (let’s face it, not everyone’s ready for robot rides), it might just be a pricey toy for the elite. Either way, that upcoming demo could be make-or-break. Keep your eyes peeled – if Tesla pulls it off, it’ll be one heck of a ride.
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