From Elon Musk himself, the Tesla Roadster is unlikely to hit the road this year, which originally was the date set for the electric sports car to become officially available. Musk said the Roadster will not come out until both the Cybertruck and Semi are ready to roll out, which according to the Tesla CEO will happen in late 2021.
The Roadster was introduced in 2017 and the Tesla chief promised then that the sports car should be ready to buy after three years. Excited fans rushed to make an initial payment of $50,000 so they can be first on the line. But before taking a spin at the vehicle, touted by Musk as the most powerful EV on the planet when it comes out, they will need to pay the balance of $200,000.
For that cash damage, CNET said buyers will get a beastly ride that is capable of achieving a speed of zero to 60mph in just 1.9 seconds. The top speed that the rolling rig can deliver is at 250mph, thanks to the onboard three electric motors.
And the Roadster's 200KWh battery can pump the sports car to a maximum 620-mile range. Musk boasted that the Roadster is the closest that a driver can get to a rocket-like ride so the experience alone is worth the $250,000 price tag.
But for now, all these will have to wait as it appeared that Tesla will need to sort out more pressing concerns before focusing on the mass manufacture of the Roadster. Possibly on top of the list is how the automaker can get back to production when the COVID-19-induced lockdown remains in effect in the United States.
Musk admitted that Tesla is pressed for time and for 2020 through 2021, the company's calendar is swelling with priority projects.
Among the things projected to preoccupy the company in the next two years is the targeted increased production of the Tesla Model Y. Electrek reported that Tesla also plans to make its Gigafactory in Berlin commence on manufacturing activities and work is now underway to expand the Gigafactory in Shanghai.
Then as mentioned that by late 2021, the Cybertruck and Semi will begin rolling out, and that would mean production of the two EV trucks will have to start real soon.
Why Tesla is gunning to release the Cybertruck first before the Roadster sees the light of the day was addressed by Musk. According to him, it makes more sense to work on the electric first and get it out the soonest.
The Tesla boss promised though that the long wait for the Roadster will not be for naught. Musk said the sports car will be like the dessert and "everyone who has been waiting, they won't be sorry."
