Tesla Opens Roadster Reservations at $50,000 as Production Start Slips to 2028

Tesla is taking $50,000 deposits for a Roadster whose production start is scheduled for 2028, tying up customer cash years before the first car ships. Elon Musk set the 2028 timeline at a recent event. Reservations are open now for three configurations, with the Rocket version restricted to invite-only buyers and the Thrust model sold as a limited release.

Tesla posted a 34-second video on X Friday afternoon showing the car's touchscreen. The company's caption said the interface was inspired by fighter jet cockpits. The screen opens on a black background with red graphics and a 3D wireframe of the car beside the squared-off yoke. Tapping the model brings up controls for the rear wing, including low drag and high downforce positions, along with a charging page showing a charge limit bar and a compact music player. Tabs along the bottom of the display read Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

Track Mode takes up much of the demonstration. The screen shows a live circuit map, a list of session lap times, and real-time brake and motor temperatures. Per-tire pressure and temperature readings appear for each wheel. The setup page offers Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, and Custom aero modes, and lets the driver change aero balance and brake balance or switch off stability and traction control.

A status bar at the bottom of the Track Mode screen reads Thruster 5,500 PSI next to a Boost Ready indicator. That reading ties to hardware Tesla displayed near Waco, Texas on October 15. The Thrust and Rocket versions use cold gas thrusters fed by carbon overwrapped pressure vessels. Prior breakdowns of the three configurations put 0 to 60 mph times for Thrust at under 0.9 seconds and for Rocket at under 0.59 seconds. The base Performance model uses a fan and ground sealing system for grip.

The Roadster's screen layout departs from the rest of Tesla's current lineup by placing a model of the car at the center of the home page instead of a map. Tesla's product page for the vehicle lists two smaller forward displays alongside the main touchscreen. The company has not said whether Track Mode telemetry will appear in other models such as the Model 3 Performance. The interface could still change before deliveries begin.

The Rocket version is not yet approved for public road use. The vehicle goes on display in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. Sawyer Merritt said the event marks the first time the general public can view the car up close.