Full Self-Driving software , fans of the automaker are right to ask: Where the hell is the Roadster? It's been more than three years since we first saw the new Tesla Roadster and, more importantly, since customers began forking over $50,000(!) deposits. But fear not, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says, the Roadster is still on the way. When asked about Tesla's upcoming sports car on Thursday, CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the automaker "finished engineering this year" and that "production starts next year." Musk says Tesla is "aiming to have [a] release candidate design drivable [by] late summer." Finishing engineering this year, production starts next year. Aiming to have release candidate design drivable late summer. Tri-motor drive system & advanced battery work were important precursors.