Tesla has reopened reservations for its next-generation Roadster, requiring a $50,000 deposit or 409,000 kroner in Norway ahead of a scheduled October 1 presentation at SpaceX’s test facility in Texas, though final pricing and delivery dates remain unconfirmed.
Tesla is bringing its long-delayed electric sports car back into the reservation spotlight less than two weeks before a scheduled presentation on October 1. The vehicle, first unveiled as a prototype in November 2017, has faced a succession of postponed production timelines over the past decade.
The upcoming vehicle showcase is slated to take place at SpaceX’s test area in McGregor, Texas. With the event days away, prospective buyers in the United States and Norway can once again secure a place in line, though the deposit structure requires a substantial upfront financial commitment without guaranteeing a final vehicle price or delivery schedule.
Deposit Structures and Payment Terms in the United States and Norway
Securing a spot in the reservation queue requires significant capital tied up without earning interest. The payment process is split into two steps: an initial $5,000 paid via bank card, followed by the remaining $45,000 transferred via bank wire within 10 days.
In Norway, the financial hurdle is similarly structured to match currency conversions. Buyers must first pay 41,000 kroner via Vipps or card, followed by an additional bank transfer of 368,000 kroner within 10 days, bringing the total reservation deposit to 409,000 kroner.
Company terms stipulate that these funds are held without interest and are not placed into a separate escrow account. Until a final purchase contract is signed, customers retain the right to cancel their reservation for a full refund. However, holding that queue position means parting with significant funds while key vehicle details remain blank.
A Decade of Delays From Prototype to October Presentation
The path to the October 1 presentation has been marked by repeated delays since the vehicle’s initial debut. When the prototype was rolled out of a Tesla Semi in 2017, production was initially targeted for 2020. As those years approached, manufacturing priorities shifted toward the Model Y, factory expansions in Berlin and Shanghai, and the Cypertruck.
| Year Cited | Stated Reason for Postponement |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Priorities shifted to Model Y, Berlin and Shanghai factories, and Cybertruck |
| 2021 | Global supply chain bottlenecks |
| 2022–2026 | Ongoing project postponements and shifted windows |
Global supply chain disruptions in late 2021 pushed the timeline further out, followed by subsequent projections pointing toward 2024, 2025, and 2026. Despite the rolling delays, early performance targets published during the initial 2017 reveal have remained on the project’s website, though they must be verified anew following the upcoming event.
Unresolved Specifications and the Legacy of the First-Generation Roadster
Prospective buyers committing funds are entering an agreement that does not confirm a final retail price, vehicle options, features, hardware development, or a delivery date. The official paperwork notes that a reservation only establishes approximate priority for future configuration and ordering.
Original 2017 estimates floated a start price of $200,000, alongside projected capabilities including a 1,000-kilometer range, a 0–100 km/h sprint of under 1.9 to 2.1 seconds, and a top speed exceeding 400 km/h. More recent commentary from management has floated unconventional design ideas, including potential rocket thrusters or flight capabilities.
Vehicle registration records show that 111 units were registered in Norway, of which four have been scrapped, 13 exported, and 43 deregistered, leaving roughly 50 estimated to remain active on Norwegian roads.
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