"Super crazy supply chain shortages" push Tesla Roadster back to 2023 - now only NINE years late

Tesla boss Elon Musk has confirmed its long - long - awaited Roadster model has been delayed again, with the brand now targeting 2023 launch for the performance model

We'll detail why in second, but first, a little history.

The second-generation Tesla Roadster was first expected to arrive way back in 2014, but in 2016 it was declared to still be "years away".

A prototype was then unveiled in 2017, and punters were invited to plonk down sizeable deposits for a test ride in the concept version - part of a pre-order campaign that called for a US$50,000 deposit to pre-order.

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Next came 2018, when Musk announced a fanciful "SpaceX option package" that would add cold-gas thrusters to the model, before in 2020 Tesla finally suggested they would start building it in 2021.

Cut to today, and Musk says he's now targeting 2023 for the launch of the model, and should he hit that target, the Roadster will only be nine years late.

The problem? Even 2023 isn't a sure bet at this point, with the Musk saying the revised schedule depends on 2022 not being a "mega drama".

"2021 has been the year of super-crazy supply chain shortages, so it wouldn’t matter if we had 17 new products, as none would ship," he said via Twitter.

"Assuming 2022 is not mega-drama, new Roadster should ship in 2023."

The Tesla promise for the Roadster is massive, with 10,000Nm of wheel torque, a sprint to 100km/h of 2.1 seconds and a 8.8-second quarter mile.

You can secure your own with a $66,000 deposit, or if you're tastes run more to the Founders Series' special edition, you'll need to find $326,000.