Tesla confirms Roadster reveal for Thursday night in Texas

Tesla has confirmed that the reveal event for its next-generation Roadster will take place on Thursday, October 15, at 7:55 p.m. CDT. The event, which was originally scheduled for October 1, was postponed due to severe weather conditions. Tesla stated the reveal was pushed back due to weather conditions at the demo site, SpaceX's (SPCX) Rocket Development and Testing facility in Waco, Texas. The livestream will be available on Tesla's X account.

Event Details and Location

The reveal will be held in Waco, Texas, near SpaceX’s McGregor rocket test site. According to MotorTrend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the facility for the original October 1 date, covering a 1.5-nautical-mile radius and extending up to 10,000 feet. While a new TFR for the rescheduled date has not been explicitly confirmed in the sources, reports suggest a restriction may be in place, potentially indicating a rehearsal or similar activity.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk cited high winds as the cause for the delay, which fueled speculation that the vehicle might demonstrate hovering or flying capabilities during the event. The Information reported that the reveal could include a demonstration of a limited-edition version equipped with cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX.

Pricing and Specifications

Tesla has not officially announced the price of the new Roadster, though it is expected to exceed $250,000. Prospective buyers are required to put down a $5,000 deposit, followed by a $45,000 wire transfer due within 10 days of the initial deposit. The deposit is refundable.

The 2017 figures for the second-generation Roadster remain the only official specifications released to date: 620 miles of range, a top speed above 250 mph, and prices of $200,000 for the base car and $250,000 for the Founders Series. Tesla has indicated that the event will include pricing, specifications, and production targets. Production is expected at Giga Texas in 2027 or 2028.

Potential Capabilities

Reports suggest the Roadster may feature a SpaceX package, reportedly code-named A71, which includes cold-gas thrusters (CGTs). These thrusters, similar to those used by SpaceX to orient Falcon 9 boosters, expel ultra-pressurized gas rather than burning fuel. Elon Musk has suggested the car may have an onboard compressor and up to 10 small rocket thrusters.

While the base model is reportedly capable of sprinting to 60 mph in less than two seconds, the addition of thrusters could significantly enhance acceleration, braking, and cornering. Some reports speculate the vehicle could achieve a 0 to 60 mph time of about one second with the SpaceX package. MotorTrend notes that under FAA regulations, any vehicle hovering off the ground is considered an aircraft, which may limit the Roadster to hovering or short hops rather than sustained flight.

Why it matters

The Roadster reveal marks a significant moment for Tesla, as the vehicle was first announced in 2017 with initial delivery promises for 2020. The event also coincides with Tesla’s upcoming Q3 earnings call on October 21, where investors will likely seek clarity on production timelines and the financial impact of the new model. The integration of SpaceX technology highlights the deepening collaboration between the two companies, potentially setting new benchmarks for performance in the electric vehicle market.

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Sources

• finance.yahoo.com: Tesla's Roadster event is back on for Thursday night. Here's what to expect.
• motortrend.com: Could the New SpaceX-Assisted Tesla Roadster Actually Fly? A Closer Look at What It May Actually Do
• teslarati.com: Tesla Roadster livestream: everything Tesla has revealed before Thursday night

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.