Tesla's New Roadster Trademarks Could Finally Satisfy Fans

Tesla files two new trademarks for the Roadster: the most anticipated electric car of the decade could finally see the light of day. Documents filed on February 3, 2026 with the U.S. Patent Office reveal a redesigned silhouette and an unprecedented logo for this model announced since November 2017.

"Elon Musk promised a demonstration on April 1st, which gives him some wiggle room if things don't go as planned" — Motor1

Trademarks that rekindle hope

Tesla has filed two distinct trademark applications for its famous Roadster. The first presents a stylized silhouette composed of three sharp lines, which could preview the final design or serve as a new badge. The second concerns the "ROADSTER" lettering in a futuristic, inclined typeface, very different from the brand's current logos.

These filings constitute the first tangible signs of activity around this project in months. In the automotive industry, this type of move typically precedes a model's commercial launch by a few months.

Eight years of broken promises

Rewind to November 2017. During a surprise presentation organized alongside the Tesla Semi reveal, Elon Musk makes headlines. The promises are tantalizing: commercialization by 2020, starting price of $200,000, top speed exceeding 400 km/h, and 0 to 160 km/h in just 4.2 seconds.

The problem? 2020 came and went. Then 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025... The Roadster still hasn't rolled out of California's factories. In the meantime, Tesla focused on mass-market models and racked up one delay after another.

A demonstration scheduled for April 1st... really?

In its latest financial report, Tesla simply states that "preparations continue in North America for production of the next-generation Roadster". Late 2025, Elon Musk mentioned a demonstration event planned for April 1, 2026. A date probably not chosen by accident—and one that offers the perfect escape hatch if things slip again.

Production would then start 12 to 18 months later, meaning a possible market launch between 2027 and 2028. This wouldn't be the first time Tesla's boss made public promises on this file without following through.

What performance, really?

The specifications announced in 2017 still look good on paper. Tesla promised a range of 1,000 km, 0 to 100 km/h in 1.9 seconds, and a top speed exceeding 250 mph. All powered by a 200 kWh battery and a three-engine electric motor system.

Elon Musk even mentioned a "SpaceX kit" with cold-air thrusters that would let the vehicle "fly" briefly. Spectacular claims that fuel the mystery but raise real questions about their actual technical feasibility.

An impact on stock price?

News of the trademark filings didn't leave markets unmoved. Tesla stock surged significantly after initial announcements on social media. Timing that raises questions: is this just a PR move to prop up the company's valuation?

With an expected price tag between $200,000 and $250,000, the Roadster won't be enough to fix Tesla's overall sales. But it could restore the brand's tech credibility, battered by repeated Cybertruck delays and intensifying competition in the EV market.

Competitors didn't wait

While Tesla racks up delays, the competition is moving fast. The Rimac Nevera already demolishes performance records with 1,914 horsepower and 0 to 100 km/h in 1.97 seconds. Lotus is preparing its Evija, Polestar is working on the Polestar 6 due in 2026, and even Ferrari is about to reveal its first fully electric supercar.

This competition makes the stakes even more critical for Tesla. The Roadster was supposed to prove the brand's technological superiority. Today, it risks arriving in a market already occupied by established competitors.

The Tesla Roadster saga perfectly illustrates the Musk method: announce big, announce early, then adapt reality to technical and industrial constraints. After nearly a decade of waiting, fans hope 2026 will finally be the year things materialize. But be careful: with Tesla, surprises are the rule, not the exception.

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