Tesla Roadster 2026: What the 'Very Soon' Timeline and SpaceX Thruster Package Really Mean

Tesla's long-promised second-generation Roadster has missed every production and demonstration target since its 2017 unveiling. As of August 2026, the car is still not in production. Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen recently told Jay Leno the Roadster is coming "very soon," but a closer look at the available evidence suggests another delay is more likely than a near-term launch.

The 'Very Soon' Comment: August 10, 2026

On the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage (published August 10, 2026), Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen appeared with his personal modified Pontiac Solstice. When Leno asked about the Roadster, von Holzhausen said it was coming "very soon" and repeated the phrase when pressed . Leno responded with a deadpan "10 years..." — a reference to the nearly nine-year wait since the prototype debuted in 2017 . Von Holzhausen did not provide a specific date or any new details about the vehicle .

The comment came after months of missed internal deadlines. In October 2025, Elon Musk said the company would demonstrate the Roadster on April 1, 2026 . That date was chosen intentionally — Musk later said it gave him "deniability" because it was April Fools' Day . The demonstration was then pushed to late May or early June, and later to August 2026 or later, according to an exclusive report from The Information citing four people familiar with the program .

Elon Musk's 'You Will Get Flying Cars' Post: August 12, 2026

Two days after von Holzhausen's appearance, Elon Musk posted a three-word reply on X to a user lamenting that "we were promised flying cars and all we got is infinite superintelligence": "You will get flying cars" .

The post did not explicitly name Tesla or the Roadster, but it was widely interpreted as referencing the long-discussed optional SpaceX package for the next-generation Roadster .

SpaceX A71 Cold-Gas Thruster System: The 'Flying Car' Tech

The Roadster's optional SpaceX package is not a flying car in the conventional sense. The system, internally codenamed A71 by Tesla and SpaceX engineers, consists of approximately 10 cold-gas rocket thrusters embedded in the car's body . These thrusters are designed to use compressed gas to provide brief lift-off or hovering capability, not sustained flight with wings or propellers .

Musk has described the system as using the thrusters to improve acceleration, braking, and cornering — with the added party trick of being able to "fly very briefly" . The thrusters would replace the rear seats with SpaceX air tanks .

Multiple reports confirm that Tesla and SpaceX are still fine-tuning the A71 system, which is the primary cause of the current delay to the public demonstration .

History of Delays Since 2017

Year/Milestone	What Was Promised
Nov 2017	Prototype unveiled alongside Tesla Semi; production promised for 2020
July 2020	Musk said "12–18 months out"
Jan 2021	Target moved to 2022
Sept 2021	Target moved to 2023
May 2023	Target moved to 2024
Feb 2024	Musk promised production unveil by end of 2024, deliveries in early 2025 — none happened
Nov 2025	Musk announced April 1, 2026 demo date — admitted it gave him "deniability"
Mar 2026	Musk said the demo would happen "next month" (April)
Apr 22, 2026	During Q1 2026 earnings call, Musk said "maybe in a month or so" — blowing past the April timeline
June 5, 2026	The Information reported the demo had slipped to August or later
Aug 10, 2026	Von Holzhausen says "very soon" on Jay Leno's Garage

The vehicle has missed every production and demonstration target since its 2017 debut . Even the "very soon" claim from August 2026 came after a similar "very soon" claim from von Holzhausen in June 2026 .

Texas Unveiling Event Expected Around August 2026

According to the report from The Information (cited by multiple outlets), Tesla is preparing for a public demonstration of the production Roadster in August 2026 or later, with the event expected to take place in Texas — where the car will also be manufactured . This would be the first public demonstration of the production-ready vehicle and its SpaceX thruster system. It is not the start of mass production .

Tesla has not officially confirmed the date or location .

Mass Production Projected 2027 or 2028

Despite holding $250,000 Founders Series deposits since 2017, multiple reports indicate that volume production is unlikely to begin before 2027 or 2028 . In November 2025, Musk told shareholders that production would not begin until 2027 or 2028 . Even if the August 2026 demonstration happens, analysts across outlets including Hypebeast, Electrek, and InsideEVs expect customer deliveries to remain years away .

The base price was originally set at $200,000, with the Founders Series at $250,000 . Deposits for the Founders Series have been held since 2017 without delivery .