Roadster Cockpit: Jet-Style Data and 2028 Production Target

Tesla has moved to define the driving experience for its next generation Roadster by releasing a detailed look at the vehicle's digital cockpit. The company posted a 34-second video on X on Friday afternoon, illustrating a user interface that departs from the company's standard design language. The interface is explicitly modeled after fighter jet cockpits, with a layout designed to keep the driver, or pilot, at the center of the controls.

The software displays specific hardware data that connects directly to the physical components unveiled near Waco, Texas on October 15. A status bar at the bottom of the screen shows a thruster pressure reading of 5,500 PSI alongside a Boost Ready indicator. This data corresponds to the cold gas thrusters housed in carbon overwrapped pressure vessels, which are standard equipment on the Thrust and Rocket versions of the car.

The interface provides granular control over the vehicle's aerodynamics and performance settings. A Track Mode dashboard presents a live circuit map, session lap times, and real-time temperatures for brakes and motors. Drivers can also monitor pressure and temperature for each individual tire. The setup menu offers choices between Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, and Custom aero modes, with additional sliders for aero balance and brake balance. Stability and traction controls can be switched off entirely.

The home screen centers on a 3D wireframe model of the car rather than a map, a shift from the layout used in Tesla's current lineup. Tapping different parts of the digital model allows users to adjust the rear wing between low drag and high downforce positions. The bottom of the screen features a navigation bar with tabs for Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate. The vehicle also includes two smaller forward displays in addition to the main touchscreen.

These software features align with the performance metrics previously outlined for the three available configurations. The Thrust model targets a 0 to 60 mph time of under 0.9 seconds, while the Rocket model aims for under 0.59 seconds. The base Performance model relies on a fan and ground sealing system for grip rather than the active thrusters. Tesla has not indicated whether the Track Mode telemetry will be added to other models, such as the Model 3 Performance.

Production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028, according to statements made by Elon Musk at a recent event. The Rocket version has not yet received approval for public road use. Reservations are open for a $50,000 payment, with the Thrust model listed as a limited release and the Rocket version available on an invite-only basis.

The vehicle will be shown to the public for the first time at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The display runs from October 24 to 27 in the museum lobby. Sawyer Merritt noted that this event marks the first opportunity for the general public to view the car up close.