Tesla Roadster Interface Reveals Thruster System Status

Tesla released a detailed video demonstration of the upcoming Roadster's touchscreen interface, highlighting the system's readiness for its high-pressure propulsion hardware. The 34-second clip, posted to social media on Friday, outlines the vehicle's operational status, displaying a thruster pressure of 5,500 PSI alongside a 'Boost Ready' indicator. This visual confirmation links the software directly to the propulsion components intended for the Thrust and Rocket configurations of the vehicle.

The company describes the cockpit design as being inspired by fighter jet layouts. The interface places a three-dimensional wireframe of the vehicle at the center of the display, allowing for direct manipulation of aerodynamic settings such as low drag and high downforce. The system also provides a charging page with a limit bar and a music player. A navigation bar at the bottom of the screen organizes functions into categories including Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

The majority of the demonstration focuses on the Track Mode functionality, which provides a live map of a circuit along with a history of session lap times. The screen offers real-time data regarding brake and motor temperatures, as well as pressure and temperature readings for each tire. Drivers can adjust aerodynamic balance and brake bias through a setup page, which also allows for the disabling of stability and traction control systems.

The interface presented in the video represents a shift in design strategy compared to Tesla's current fleet of vehicles. Rather than centering on a navigation map, the Roadster's home screen prioritizes a model of the car itself. The vehicle's hardware specifications include a 0 to 60 mph time of under 0.9 seconds for the Thrust version and under 0.59 seconds for the Rocket version. The base Performance configuration relies on a fan and ground sealing system for grip.

Production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028. The company has not confirmed whether the telemetry features shown in the video will be made available on other models, such as the Model 3 Performance. While reservations for the vehicle require a $50,000 payment, the Rocket configuration remains invite-only, and the Thrust version is listed as a limited release.

The vehicle will be available for public viewing starting October 24 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The display will continue through October 27, marking the first time the general public can inspect the vehicle in person.