When you’ve been in this business long enough, you can sniff out the difference between a concept car that’s simply for show and one that teases an upcoming production model. The new Tesla Roadster prototype is the latter.

This isn’t to say the entirety of this ambitious electric sports car, which identifies as a two-seat coupe that Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims will “crush every track record that has ever existed,” is production-bound. However, there’s enough evidence to support Musk’s assertion that the Roadster will enter production “in 2028” (give or take a few years). Parts such as exterior rearview mirrors will need to find their way into the finished product, and the prototype's SpaceX-supplied cold-gas thrusters and downforce-enhancing suction system may ultimately end up on the cutting-room floor—at least in any planned street-legal variants. Still, the basic bones of this battery-powered sports car look close to production-ready.

See all results for new 2029 Tesla Roadster for sale near v1v 1x9

Most of what the Roadster needs to become reality and drive on public roads appears to be present, including proper cutlines for body panels, latches and hinges for doors, and an interior featuring all the expected controls and space for airbags (such as in the steering wheel’s central hub). The dash-mounted screen's size and user interface also appear to have been developed with production in mind, and this infotainment system is more than just a static display or simple reskin of the existing setup that Tesla uses. It wouldn't shock us to learn the UI shares its core architecture with those of other Teslas, but it’s a fully functional setup with unique features that operate in an intuitive manner that usually gets forgotten about in the systems of show cars, which often emphasize a “wow” factor over functionality—an important aspect for something automakers expect users to operate while driving.

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