From Jalopnik · Amber DaSilva · · 1m 50s
2017 Tesla Roadster Could Have Been A Car, The 2028 Tesla Roadster Will Never Be
Tesla's 2017 Roadster was a real car; its 2028 version is a flying stunt for Elon Musk.
In brief
Tesla's 2017 Roadster was a real car; its 2028 version is a flying stunt for Elon Musk. Tesla's 2017 Roadster concept could have sold to wealthy buyers, but the 2028 Roadster is a flying stunt for Elon Musk's personal projects. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
2017 Roadster Concept
Tesla revealed a 2017 Roadster concept with a claimed 1.8 second zero to 60 time and 620 miles of range.
2028 Roadster Reveal
Tesla unveiled a 2028 Roadster as a hardtop two-seater that hits 60 in 0.81 seconds and 'flies'.
2017 Roadster Promises
The 2017 Roadster promised the fastest zero to 60 time of any production car up to that point and 620 miles of range.
2028 Roadster Design
The 2028 Roadster is styled after the F-35 and SR-71 with white paint and gold-tinted glass.
Shareholder Primacy
Tesla's business model prioritizes shareholders over customers, making the Roadster for investors rather than buyers.
Elon Musk's Vision
Elon Musk tweeted seven years ago that the Roadster would fly, and SpaceX engineers created a flying prototype.
2028 Roadster Purpose
The 2028 Roadster is a stunt rig designed to tease a SpaceX-Tesla merger and satisfy Musk's personal need for a flying car.
2028 Production Timeline
Musk claims the 2028 Roadster will start production in 2028, but this is unlikely to happen.
2017 Roadster Feasibility
The 2017 Roadster could have been a real car with dedicated engineering for wealthy buyers.
2028 Roadster Reality
The 2028 Roadster is a balsa wood model full of compressed air, not a practical vehicle for customers.
Investor Target
The 2028 Roadster is for retail investors who want a new desktop wallpaper, not for car buyers.
What to remember
Tesla's 2017 Roadster concept could have sold to wealthy buyers, but the 2028 Roadster is a flying stunt for Elon Musk's personal projects.
