Jay Leno had to remind Tesla executives that the Roadster exists
In a short but funny interaction, Jay Leno had to remind Tesla executives that the Roadster still exists – sort of, since it has been delayed seemingly indefinitely.
The next-generation Roadster has become basically a running gag in the Tesla community.
I’ve asked Grok, Elon Musk’s truth-seeking AI, to compile all the times the CEO announced timelines to bring the Roadster to production and compare them to reality:
- Initial Announcement (November 2017):
- Announced Launch: 2020.
- Reality: Delayed; no production by 2020. Revised to mid-to-late 2021 in July 2020.
- July 2020 Update:
- Announced Launch: Mid-to-late 2021.
- Reality: Delayed; no production by 2021. Revised to 2022 in January 2021.
- January 2021 Update:
- Announced Launch: 2022.
- Reality: Delayed; no production by 2022. Revised to 2023 in September 2021.
- September 2021 Update:
- Announced Launch: 2023.
- Reality: Delayed; no production by 2023. Revised to 2024 in May 2023.
- May 2023 Update:
- Announced Launch: 2024.
- Reality: Delayed; no production by 2024. Revised to 2025 in February and October 2024.
- February 2024 and October 2024 Updates:
- Announced Launch: 2025 (production version unveil by end of 2024, deliveries in 2025).
- Reality: Current target; not yet launched as of February 11, 2025 and the production version was not unveiled in 2024.
We are coming up on a decade since the original unveiling, and Tesla has nothing to show for it despite not having launched a new vehicle other than the Cybertruck over the last 5 years.
Based on Musk’s last update, Tesla was supposed to unveil the production version by the end of 2024, which did not happen, and then start production in 2025.
Tesla has basically gone silent on the program other than being listed “in development” without a production location for years in its list of vehicle programs (still the same as of last month’s update):
The current state of the Tesla Roadster program couldn’t have been better illustrated than by this quick conversation between Jay Leno and Tesla executives Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy.
As we have often reported, Tesla doesn’t have a press relations department and doesn’t maintain any relationships with US media other than with a few “friendly” publications and media personalities, including Jay Leno.
Tesla gave Leno an exclusive look and first drive at the new Model Y, which is not expected to hit US roads until next month:
During the drive, Leno asked von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer. and Moravy, Tesla VP of engineering, if the new Model Y would come with a three-motor powertrain.
Moravy answered:
“We do not make three, just one or two. Three is reserved for Plaid and the Beast.”
By that, he meant the top performance “Plaid” versions of Model S and Model X, which do come with a tri-motor powertrain, and the Cyberbeast version of the Cybertruck.
Then Leno had to remind them that they said the Roadster would also have three motors:
“and the Roadster?”
Then, both executives repeated “and the Roadster” before quickly moving on.
Electrek’s Take
I think the odds of Tesla launching the new Roadster this year just crashed. Not that they were very high to start with.
It’s true that the Roadster wouldn’t be very impactful as a vehicle program, but it would make things fun and exciting at Tesla again with some cutting-edge fun EVs to drive rather than everything being about self-driving.
It would be a fun distraction amid failing FSD deployment, crashing sales, lower margins, etc.
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Environment
BYD Yangwang launches ultra-swanky U8L SUV with 24k gold emblems (don’t worry, this one floats too)
BYD’s ultra-luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, launched its fourth all-electric model in China, and it’s another design marvel. Like its U8 predecessor, the Yangwang U8L SUV has “Emergency Float Mode.” Plus, this one can tank turn, is powered by four motors, and has 24-karat emblems. Check out one of the most expensive new BEVs in China.
Yangwang, which directly translates to “looking up” or “admire,” is an ultra-premium brand under the BYD umbrella introduced in 2023. The luxury-centric marque turned some heads out of the gate at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled the U8 SUV, which can go amphibious in emergencies and crabwalk.
Since then, Yangwang has followed up with a 1,200-horsepower electric supercar called the U9, hands down the most beautiful vehicle I saw during my visit to the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show.
In early 2024, Yangwang unveiled its first sedan, the 500-mile range U7, to complete an initial trio of flagship models. By August, we learned Yangwang was hard at work on a fourth model – a third-row variant of the U8 SUV called the U8L – which promised to be longer and even more luxurious.
Today, Yangwang officially launched the U8L in China, beginning in a single “Dingshi Edition” trim that starts at RMB 1.28 million ($179,800) – debuting as one of the most expensive models amongst all Chinese automakers.
Yangwang U8L offers Rolls-Royce-style luxury
Today’s launch marks Yangwang’s deeper push into the luxury SUV market in China, looking to compete against brands like Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. Yangwang’s new U8L takes the U8 to another level, offering more space and other comforts.
For example, the Yangwang U8 measures 5,319 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, and 1,930 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. In comparison, the new U8L measures 5,400 mm long, 2,049 mm wide, and 1,921 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm.
The longer length and wheelbase allow for a new third row atop BYD’s e4 platform, which also houses four electric motors. That powertrain configuration combines for 880 kW (1,180 horsepower) and peak torque of 1,280 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Not bad for an SUV.
Per Yangwang, the U8L also comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-P body control system—the Chinese automaker’s most advanced version, enabling premium comfort and stability on any terrain. The U8L also features BYD’s most advanced ADAS, “God’s Eye A.” In the images above, multiple sensors are visible above the windshield.
Other features include emergency flotation mode, blown tire stability, tank turns, and a crabwalk. Plus, fully reclining seats, window privacy curtains, and a rear storage fridge for your Cristal. Due to its size, the Yangwang U8L’s all-electric CLTC range is only 200 km (124 miles), but it features a hybrid range extender that boosts its overall range to 1,160 km (700 miles).
What do you think about this SUV?
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The bZ7 is about the size of a Tesla Model S and way nicer than you’d expect. Toyota’s new flagship EV is not only stunning-looking, it’s also loaded with advanced tech.
Meet the bZ7, Toyota’s new flagship EV
Toyota’s joint venture in China, GAC-Toyota, unveiled official images of the bZ7 this week, its new flagship all-electric sedan.
The bZ7 is 5,130 mm long, which is slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L. Although it has Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front end design, like the new Camry and Crown, the flagship EV is a big step up from the Toyota vehicles we see on the road today.
Toyota said its new EV has “a luxurious and elegant figure,” and we’d have to agree. From the side, it has a sleek, fastback design that blends sporty and elegant. The long, triangular side windows open up the interior.
The bZ7 is also Toyota’s most advanced EV yet. It will be the first vehicle to feature Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, which unlocks new functions such as controlling smart home appliances directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system or your smartphone.
Forgot to set the air? Xiaomi’s smart tech allows you to control it on the go. During its tech day event in June, Toyota announced new partnerships with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei, or what it called the “car industry bigwigs,” for the latest tech and software.
The bZ7 has a Lidar installed on the roof, which will be used to support Momenta’s latest smart driving system, Momenta 6.0. It’s expected to be offered on higher trim options.
On the inside, the cabin is a step change from most Toyota models with a minimalist, elegant layout. It features a floating central touchscreen, a driver display screen, and a wireless phone charger.
Toyota’s flagship EV will also use Huawei’s electric motors and its new HarmonyOS cockpit system. According to Li Hui, the General Manager of Toyota China, “To deliver cars that people want in China, we need Chinese brains and hands involved in development.
We will learn prices, battery specs, and range closer to the bZ7’s official debut, which is expected later this year. Toyota’s new flagship EV will join the bZ3X and bZ4X as it fights for its spot in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from British bike maker Boost, Dahon launching an IPO, the NYPD may soon confiscate non UL-certified e-bikes, Honda has a new e-motorcycle coming, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):
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