Tesla Shows Off Roadster Screen and Thruster Controls
A new video reveals the car's cockpit-style interface, track data features and pressure readings tied to its cold gas thruster hardware.
By Imani Brooks ·
Tesla released a brief video Friday afternoon on X that lays out the touchscreen system planned for its upcoming next generation Roadster, giving prospective buyers their closest look yet at the car's cabin technology. The clip runs about 34 seconds and walks through the screen's layout and various functions. In its caption, Tesla said the design drew on fighter jet cockpits and was built around the driver.
The footage opens on a black background with red graphics and a 3D wireframe of the car shown beside the vehicle's squared off yoke. Touching different parts of the digital car model brings up controls for the rear wing, with choices for low drag and high downforce positions. The screen also carries a charging page with a charge limit bar and a small music player. Along the bottom, tabs labeled Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate and Navigate handle navigation through the system.
The video puts substantial time on Track Mode. Its dashboard shows a live circuit map, a running list of session lap times, and live readings for brake and motor temperatures. It also breaks out pressure and temperature figures for each tire. A setup page lets a driver pick Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce or Custom aero modes. The same page covers adjustments for aero balance and brake balance, along with switches to turn off stability and traction control.
A status bar at the bottom of the Track Mode screen shows the text Thruster 5,500 PSI next to a Boost Ready indicator. That software readout links to hardware Tesla displayed near Waco, Texas on October 15. The Thrust and Rocket builds of the car use cold gas thrusters fed by carbon overwrapped pressure vessels. Earlier breakdowns of the three Roadster configurations have put the Thrust and Rocket versions at 0 to 60 mph times under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds, respectively. The base Performance model leans on a fan and ground sealing system for grip. The aero settings on the screen line up with the active wings and suction setup described in earlier analyses of how the car generates downforce.
The Roadster's screen setup differs from Tesla's other vehicles on the market. Instead of centering the home page on a map, the Roadster places a model of the car at the middle of the display. Tesla's own page for the vehicle lists two smaller forward displays alongside the main screen. The company has not said whether any of the Track Mode data features would carry over to other cars, including the Model 3 Performance.
The interface shown in the video could change before cars reach owners. Elon Musk said at a recent event that Roadster production is slated to begin in 2028. Tesla has said the top Rocket version is not yet cleared for public road use. Reservations for the vehicle open with a $50,000 payment. The Thrust model is listed as a limited release, while the Rocket version is available on an invite only basis.
People wanting to see the car in person get a chance this weekend. The Roadster is scheduled to sit in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. Sawyer Merritt said this gathering will be the first time the general public can view the car up close.
The display at the Petersen marks a narrow window for public viewing. Anyone planning to stop by can catch the car during those four days in Los Angeles. Tesla has not announced further showcase dates or locations for the Roadster.
Source: Teslarati
