Tesla has updated fans on its long-awaited Roadster, confirming a demonstration by the end of 2025. Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen shared details in a recent podcast interview, teasing new features and extraordinary capabilities. The vehicle, initially planned for 2020, has faced multiple delays amid the company's focus on other projects.
The Tesla Roadster, one of the most anticipated electric vehicles in the industry, has been delayed several times since its unveiling in 2017. Originally slated for release in 2020, the project was postponed as Tesla prioritized scaling production of the Model Y and advancing autonomy technologies.
In early 2025, Elon Musk announced that the company would host the 'most epic demo' for the Roadster in late 2025. Executives, including Musk and von Holzhausen, have periodically teased updates and potential release dates, but each has led to further delays. Last year, Tesla considered showcasing the vehicle but opted to incorporate improvements from the original design, pushing the timeline back another year.
On October 19, 2025, during an appearance on the Ride the Lightning podcast, von Holzhausen confirmed that the demo remains on track for this year. He expressed enthusiasm, stating, “I’m excited to showcase the Roadster for a lot of different reasons. The wait will be worth it.” Von Holzhausen highlighted new features, such as additional paint options, and described the vehicle's performance as pushing the “limits of physics.” He added, “We have really gotten to a point where we are going to be achieving that standard that we set out.”
While the Roadster is not central to Tesla's core mission of artificial intelligence and autonomy, it holds significance for the company. Many enthusiasts have placed $250,000 downpayments on the vehicle. Tesla has not announced a specific date for the demo, but von Holzhausen's comments suggest the event will proceed by year's end.