Tesla Roadster Software Reveals $50,000 Deposit and Jet Style Telemetry

Tesla released a 34 second video on Friday afternoon that details the touchscreen interface for its next generation Roadster. The clip, posted to the company's account on X, offers the first public look at the digital cockpit controls for the vehicle, which is scheduled to enter production in 2028. Reservations are currently open with a deposit of $50,000.

The interface design departs from the company's current vehicle lineup by centering a 3D wireframe model of the car on the home screen rather than a map. Users can tap specific areas of the model to access controls for the rear wing, which offers low drag and high downforce settings. The bottom of the screen features navigation tabs for Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

A primary focus of the demonstration is the Track Mode, which provides a live circuit map and real time telemetry. The dashboard displays brake and motor temperatures, along with specific pressure and temperature readouts for each tire. Drivers can adjust aero balance, brake balance, and disable stability and traction control through the setup menu. The aero options include Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, and Custom modes.

The software displays a status bar at the bottom of the Track Mode screen reading Thruster 5,500 PSI alongside a Boost Ready indicator. This data corresponds to the cold gas thruster hardware showcased near Waco, Texas, on October 15. The Thrust and Rocket versions of the car utilize these thrusters, supplied by carbon overwrapped pressure vessels, to achieve 0 to 60 mph times of under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds, respectively. The base Performance model uses a fan and ground sealing system instead.

Tesla has not confirmed whether the Track Mode telemetry features will be integrated into other models, such as the Model 3 Performance. The company notes that the flagship Rocket version is not yet approved for public road use. The Thrust model is listed as a limited release, while the Rocket version is available on an invite only basis. Elon Musk stated at a recent event that production is set to begin in 2028.

The vehicle will be available for public viewing in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. The car is set to be displayed in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum during those dates. Sawyer Merritt stated that this event marks the first time the general public can view the vehicle up close. The interface shown in the video may undergo changes before deliveries begin.