Remember the new Tesla Roadster? We wouldn't blame you if you didn't. It was first shown eight years ago to considerable pomp and circumstance. But in defense of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world was a very different place back then. Every now and then he'd promise the production car was coming, but spiraling costs, supply problems, political upheaval, and a pandemic have taken a toll on what will likely be a very niche, very expensive, low-volume (and low-profit) car.
In the years since that initial preview, the next-gen Roadster's arrival has evolved to become a running joke. Perhaps that's why Musk now says it will debut on April Fools' Day. No, seriously. April Fools' Day.
The Next-Gen Tesla Roadster Debuts On April 1, 2026
Speaking to shareholders after the company's official 2025 shareholder meeting, CEO Elon Musk – fresh from getting approval for his bonkers $1 trillion pay package – finally fessed up some Roadster information after being pressed a few times on the subject. The first Musk acolyte Tesla shareholder begged asked to be invited to the Roadster unveiling, which prompted Musk to promise "it will be the most exciting product unveil ever." We can almost hear Ram and SRT boss Tim Kuniskis chuckling at the thought of some competition.
Later on, Musk tossed out some generic teasers, such as the Roadster having all kinds of tech that other Teslas won't get. But the final push, coming near the end of the Q&A, brought some interesting tidbits to the surface. The question was asked point-blank: is there any timeline for the next Roadster?
"That demo event will be April 1 of next year. I have some deniability, because I could say I was just kidding. But we are actually tentatively aiming for April 1 for what I think will be the most exciting – whether it works or not – demo ever of any product."
-Elon Musk, Tesla CEO
Moreover, Musk said the car, which he called the Roadster 2, would be "very different from what we've shown previously." He then went on to say production would begin 12 to 18 months after the debut, pushing the Roadster well into 2027 before customers – some of whom have been waiting 10 years – can finally drive it.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
