Production of the anticipated Tesla Roadster will be pushed back to 2023, meaning it will now be launched six years after its initial 2017 reveal.
The delay was confirmed by founder Elon Musk at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting, where he attributed the delay to the effects of the Covid pandemic and issues with parts supply.
The Roadster, which was set to return in its second generation, was previously delayed due to the development of the firm’s new tri-motor powertrain and advanced battery technology, which are set to make their debuts in new Tesla saloon and SUV models.
Musk added that Tesla’s Cybertruck would also go into production in 2023. “Most likely what we’ll see is Cybertruck production in the next year and then reach volume production in 2023,” he said.
“Hopefully by then we can be producing the Semi [truck] and the new Roadster in 2023 as well. We should be through our severe supply chain shortages in 2023. I’m optimistic that will be the case.”
The Roadster was due to touch down in 2020, with production later moved back to once the firm had finished construction of its Berlin gigafactory, which is now completed.
Prices are still expected to start from $250,000 (about £189,000) for the first 1000 models, which will be sold as Founders Editions. Subsequent units will be priced from $200,000 (£151,020), with reservations available for £38,000.
Tesla claims the Roadster will offer a 0-60mph time of 1.9sec with 737lb ft of torque, similar to that claimed for the Model S Plaid. The model is also touted to reach 100mph in 4.2sec and achieve a quarter-mile sprint in 8.9sec.
The Roadster isn’t the first Tesla model to be struck with delays. The Model 3 saloon suffered production setbacks and the firm’s Semi lorry, now also due to go into production in 2023, didn't hit roads as planned last year.
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Roadster isn't really an issue as the market was small. Cybertruck, are they having a rethink. Can't see it selling outside the US and the future offerings from GM and Ford have looks that have far greater appeal to the traditional pick up driver.
Hasn't the cybertruck's delays also been due to having problems getting it through crash testing?
There is such a thing as too fast, your average driver comes from all walks of life, and being honest here, I don't think I've got the reactions to cope with accelerating this fast, a 100mph in 4.2 seconds! where's that going to be useful, safe for instance,in a way , Elon Musk is pulling the Teeth on performance cars.
Yes, to your point on speed, maybe during track duty, but where else? While Tesla doesn't have an issue with it, but I would rather automakers focus on range then 'who's the fastest to 60', at this early stage of EV adoption! Would the Tesla Model S match the Lucid Air with its longest range, if the Plaid addition wasn't focus on fastest to 60 mph? Having said that, the race to 60 and who's the fastest, has been apart of automakers development mind set since the creation of the automobile, so its surprise that this measuring stick is so heavily used throughout the industry. But 1.9 seconds? Scary!
as with all the other Teslas - and a lot of regular cars with powerful engines - i'd wager you can turn it down, it's just a software setting