Tesla Says Roadster Is Currently in Testing, Will Be Built In Texas

On a special episode of the Ride the Lightning podcast marking the retirement of the Model S and Model X, host Ryan McCaffrey drew out new details about Tesla’s next flagship, the Tesla Roadster 2.0.

In a conversation with Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and Vice President of Engineering Lars Moravy, they discussed the long-delayed next-generation Roadster, confirming its manufacturing location and describing where development stands.

Made in Texas

Since its 2017 unveiling, there has been uncertainty over where the Roadster would be produced. Fremont or Giga Texas were considered likely, with another possibility being a separate site such as Nevada, where the Semi is produced. Asked directly about the build location, von Holzhausen said, "I think we can say it’s going to be built in Texas."

He added that the Gigafactory Texas footprint offers ample space for the new assembly line, and that planning for the vehicle’s layout and production at the Austin facility has already begun.

Alpha Prototypes and Pure Performance

Moravy said the decision to cancel the Model S Plaid Plus enabled the team to bring the Roadster back into active development, and that the company’s performance-focused engineering effort is now centered on the sports car.

To underline progress, he noted that new alpha prototypes are "going around right now doing some work" behind the scenes. When McCaffrey suggested the car might use a four-motor powertrain, Moravy kept exact specifications under wraps but said the hardware approach would be revolutionary. "It’s the first time I think we’ve really been able to think about a motor in a pure performance mentality," he said.

The Upcoming Re-Reveal

Owners and fans have been awaiting the promised re-reveal, which CEO Elon Musk previously teased would feature mind-bending new capabilities. According to von Holzhausen, "I think you’ll see a lot of things start to unfold in the next months."

With alpha prototypes testing and Texas selected for production, the next-generation Roadster looks closer to reality. You can watch the full podcast episode below; the Roadster segment begins at the 52:15 mark.