Tesla opens the Roadster waiting list
After several delays, the Tesla Roadster is back in the spotlight. Shortly before the planned presentation on October 1, 2026, in Waco, Texas, Tesla has reopened reservations for the electric sports car.
Joining the waiting list does not come cheap. Tesla requires a total of $50,000, although the amount remains fully refundable under the reservation terms. This means prospective buyers can generally cancel their reservation after the presentation.
| Reservation step | Amount and condition |
|---|---|
| Initial payment | $5,000 immediately |
| Second payment | $45,000 by bank transfer within ten days |
| Total deposit | $50,000 |
| Refund | Fully refundable under the terms |
Important questions remain unanswered for customers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Tesla has not yet announced a firm European ordering date or prices in euros or Swiss francs. Taxes, equipment packages, and potential regional differences also remain unclear.
The final price has not yet been set
At the original unveiling in 2017, Tesla quoted $200,000 for the base model and $250,000 for the limited Founders Series. After almost a decade, these figures can hardly be considered reliable price forecasts.
In its current terms, Tesla explicitly states that any pricing information is merely an estimate. Options, hardware, and packages are still being finalized. The purchase price will not become binding until the configurator goes live.
A reservation demonstrates serious interest in the Roadster, but it confirms neither the final price nor a specific delivery date.
New design with Cyber influences
A recent preview image suggests that the Roadster’s appearance is moving away from the more rounded 2017 concept vehicle. It shows a more angular rear, a wide full-width light bar, and a prominent aerodynamic spoiler.
Tesla may therefore be bringing elements of its angular Cyber design language to the sports car. How closely this preview reflects the production vehicle will probably become clear only at the public presentation.
Why the Roadster has been delayed for so long
Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster back in 2017 and originally planned to begin deliveries in 2020. High-volume projects such as the Tesla Model Y, followed later by the Cybertruck, were subsequently given higher priority.
From a business perspective, this sequence was understandable. An expensive sports car strengthens the brand’s image, while a globally sold SUV has a far greater impact on production, revenue, and the ramp-up of new factories.
Tesla’s premium lineup is now changing as well. The Roadster could therefore take on an even more important role as a technological flagship, particularly in light of the sell-off of the Tesla Model S and Model X in the US.
Rocket package remains an unconfirmed vision
For years, Elon Musk has promised exceptional performance for the Roadster, as well as an optional SpaceX package featuring cold-gas thrusters. Such technology could briefly assist acceleration and vehicle control, but it would be extremely challenging from both a technical and regulatory perspective in a road-legal production car.
There are still no confirmed production specifications, reliable test results, or details about whether such a system could be approved for road use. The most spectacular claims should therefore continue to be viewed as development goals rather than guaranteed product features.
Reliable data will matter on October 1
The reopened reservation system is the clearest sign yet that Tesla intends to actively market the Roadster again. What matters, however, is whether the presentation provides specific information about the battery, range, charging performance, production, and the start of deliveries.
For prospective buyers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, waiting remains the most sensible option for now. The deposit is high, European terms are unavailable, and even the final US price has not yet been set. If Tesla presents a near-production vehicle with a realistic manufacturing plan in October, however, the Roadster’s comeback would amount to far more than just another spectacular announcement.
