Tesla's design chief says Roadster's reveal is coming 'very soon'

• Tesla's Roadster is "coming soon," the company's chief designer said.
• The Roadster was Tesla's first vehicle. Elon Musk unveiled its second-gen prototype in 2017.
• It has since missed several potential launch dates as Tesla focuses on higher-volume cars and AI.

The Tesla Roadster is almost here! Hopefully! Maybe?

Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's chief car designer, appeared on the latest episode of "Jay Leno's Garage" and gave an update on the long-awaited two-seater.

When Leno asked the designer about the car's arrival, von Holzhausen repeated, "Very soon," while rubbing his hands together eagerly.

The Roadster's revival has been a long time in the making.

Tesla's first car, sold between 2008 and 2012, was a two-door electric sports car built off the Lotus Elise's chassis. The EV maker sold roughly 2,800 units globally, helping it build its brand as a fun-to-drive electric car company.

CEO Elon Musk unveiled a prototype of the second-generation vehicle in November 2017, promising a high-performance vehicle with record-setting acceleration and range. Tesla began accepting reservations and deposits of $50,000 to $250,000.

At the time, he promised a 2020 launch — but that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The car has missed several launch dates since, while Tesla has increasingly prioritized higher-volume vehicles and, more recently, AI, autonomy, and robotics.

"Roadster is not just icing on the cake, it's the cherry on the icing on the cake," Musk said in an October 2024 earnings call. "We are working on it, but it has to come behind the more serious things that have a more serious impact on the world. So, just thank you to all our long-suffering Tesla Roadster deposit holders."

There has been some behind-the-scenes movement on the car's launch in the past year. Business Insider previously reported that the company started ramping up design development on the program last summer. It's also applied for at least three trademark applications for insignia designs this year.