If it looks like the Tesla Roadster has been a ghost for nearly a decade, you’re not incorrect. First unveiled in 2017 with daring guarantees and Elon Musk’s signature hype, the second-generation Tesla Roadster has turn out to be the electrical automobile world’s white whale. There’s still no delivery date. No production models. Just recent guarantees, wild patents, and cryptic social media posts.
Yet, behind the silence, something appears to be happening.
At Tesla’s recent X Takeover event in California, Lars Moravy, the corporate’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, broke the silence—form of. He described the upcoming Roadster as Tesla’s “last best driver’s automobile,” positioning it as a form of final chapter before the corporate fully leans into autonomy. In accordance with Moravy, the Roadster is supposed to embody every part great about driving, before computers eventually take over.
Just left the @Tesla design studio.
Most epic demo ever by end of yr.
Ever.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 14, 2025
He hinted that Tesla has been reworking and rethinking the project, pushing it beyond the unique vision. “It’s even slightly bit greater than a automobile,” he said, teasing that Elon Musk was recently shown recent demos that got him “slightly excited.” After all, no specs or official updates followed, but Musk promised the “most epic demo ever by end of yr” on his social platform. Naturally, all signs point to the Roadster.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Tesla has been quietly filing patents. One recently approved patent outlines an interesting approach to lively aerodynamics, involving a set of deployable ground skirts and electric fans. These fans, mounted within the rear diffuser area, would suck the automobile to the road—creating artificial downforce to extend grip and performance. If that sounds familiar, it’s since it is.
This type of tech, often called “fan-assisted downforce,” was banned in Formula 1 a long time ago. It first appeared in Seventies Can-Am racing and infamously within the 1978 Brabham BT46B, which was so effective it won its only race before being pulled from the grid. Tesla’s take adds modern sensors and lively control. The system can adjust fan speed and skirt deployment in real time, potentially optimizing grip during hard cornering or easing off for top-speed runs.
And here’s where things get wild. This patent, combined with Musk’s past claims about SpaceX-inspired rocket thrusters, suggests Tesla still wants the Roadster to defy conventional performance logic. Remember, Musk once said the automobile could hit 60 mph in under one second using cold gas thrusters. The fan system seems more plausible, at the least from a legal and engineering perspective.
It’s a clever tech, but it surely’s not entirely recent. McMurtry’s Spéirling EV uses an identical fan concept and produces over 4,400 kilos of downforce—enough to theoretically let it drive upside-down. That automobile has already blown minds on course. Tesla’s system could aim for similar levels of grip, but questions remain about its road-readiness. Uneven pavement, potholes, and each day driving wear don’t mix well with fan-assisted systems that depend on a robust seal with the bottom.
All this innovation is exciting, but there’s a lingering issue: the Roadster still doesn’t exist as a customer-ready product. You may reserve one on Tesla’s website with a $5,000 deposit, followed by a $45,000 payment inside 10 days. The ultimate price is anticipated to fall between $200,000 and $250,000. It’s a steep figure for a automobile that may only appeal to a distinct segment group of Tesla loyalists.
And that’s where the true challenge lies.
Even when Tesla delivers the Roadster exactly as promised—with 620 miles of range, a removable glass roof, 250+ mph top speed, all-wheel drive, and record-setting acceleration—supercar buyers may not bite. The normal high-end performance market still values visceral engagement: engine noise, analog feel, and raw mechanical drama. Lots of these buyers have stayed away from electric cars altogether. Even Rimac’s Nevera, considered one of the fastest EVs ever made, hasn’t generated much traction with wealthy enthusiasts. And that’s from a brand built for hypercar performance from day one.
Tesla isn’t attempting to be Rimac, but it surely’s hard to assume the Roadster shaking up the supercar world when that audience still leans toward Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens. It might find more success with devoted Tesla fans who want the last word version of the brand—something more exotic than a Model S Plaid or Model X.
But here’s the elephant within the room: while Tesla pushes the narrative of the Roadster as a game-changer, it’s still unclear if the corporate should even be specializing in a automobile like this right away. EV sales are showing signs of slowing, and Tesla’s next mass-market automobile—the so-called “Model 2”—still hasn’t materialized. As a substitute, the rumored next inexpensive Tesla is only a bare-bones Model Y with fewer features.
In that context, spending resources on a six-figure halo automobile could feel out of step. A really inexpensive recent model could move the needle excess of a 1-second 0-to-60 gimmick automobile, irrespective of how cool it looks or sounds on paper.
Still, there’s no denying the thrill across the Roadster. It’s the sort of automobile that pushes boundaries and stirs imaginations. Whether it ever arrives as promised—or arrives in any respect—stays to be seen. But for now, Tesla wants the world to imagine it’s still coming. And with fan-assisted downforce and Elon-sized ambition, it just is perhaps wild enough to work.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on this planet of cars. Whether it’s exploring the most recent advancements in automotive technology or keeping an in depth pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the latest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
