Tesla Roadster price: What we know so far

The original Tesla Roadster was the first car sold to the public by the company, from 2008 to 2012. It thrust them into the limelight by making electric cars sexy and fun, before the company turned their attention to passenger car models. Tesla then shocked the world when it unveiled a second-generation Roadster model in November, 2017.

While the first model was a fun premium-market sports car the new model will be a whole different kettle of fish. When the Mk2 Roadster was unveiled in 2017, Tesla founder Elon Musk declared it will move into hypercar territory, as the fastest production car offered on sale.

Tesla claims the new Roadster will do 0-100km/h in 2.1-seconds, run the quarter-mile in an insane 8.8-seconds, and top out at over 400km/h (250mph). Expected to start production in 2020 the regular Roadster will be priced near $300,000, with 1000 Founders’ Series limited-edition models costing over $350,000, and both variants requiring an up-front deposit of $50,000 (USD).

While the first Roadster used an existing Lotus Elise platform, meaning Tesla was able to avoid the costly process of developing a whole car from scratch, then new Roadster is a full in-house affair. Automotive industry experts doubt Tesla will be able to deliver cars before the end of 2020 due to Tesla’s reputation for missing production dates for new models, like the chronic issues manufacturing issues which plagued the Model 3’s release.

Tesla also intend to deliver the production Model Y compact crossover utility vehicle ahead of the Roadster as the far cheaper SUV will be a volume-seller against the exotic Roadster. Another hurdle for Tesla to overcome is the newfound competition in the electric hypercar class from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Rimac.

There is no word yet on whether Tesla intend to sell the Roadster in Australia, though changing import laws may provide a way for Muskians to get their hands on the road-rocket when it finally goes on-sale.

Would you like Tesla to sell the Roadster locally? Let us know in the comments.