Nearly a decade after unveiling the next-generation Roadster prototype, Tesla just filed two trademark applications that suggest the hypercar project might finally be moving beyond Elon Musk’s Twitter promises. The February 3, 2026 USPTO filings—one for a sleek new “ROADSTER” wordmark and another for a triangular silhouette design—represent the first concrete legal steps toward production since 2017.
New Design Takes Shape
The trademark silhouette reveals a profile that’s “sleeker and squarer at the roof apex” compared to the original prototype, according to the three flowing curved lines depicting the car’s side view. Tesla’s Associate General Counsel Keaton Parekh signed both applications under “intent to use” status, legally securing priority before commercial launch. This triangle motif echoes the Cybertruck’s angular branding—Tesla’s way of signaling its most ambitious vehicles share DNA.
Timeline Promises Meet Reality Check
Musk recently pushed the demo date to April 1, 2026, citing “deniability” concerns about April Fools’ timing—a comment that perfectly captures Tesla’s relationship with deadlines. Production now targets mid-to-late 2027, roughly seven years behind the original 2020 promise. The design was reportedly “close to finalized” as of October 2024, though Tesla’s definition of “finalized” has proven elastic over the years.
Performance Claims Still Sky-High
The spec sheet remains hypercar territory:
0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds (or 1.1 seconds with the optional SpaceX cold-air thruster package that promises brief hovering)
Musk described it as a “hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars” and warned potential buyers that “if safety is #1, don’t buy.” These aren’t exactly reassuring words for a $200,000-$250,000 Founder Series vehicle.
Competition Won’t Wait
While Tesla perfects its trademark fonts, rivals like the Rimac Nevera and Lotus Evija already deliver sub-2-second acceleration to actual customers. The Roadster’s supposed technical advantages—particularly the thruster system—remain theoretical while hypercar buyers spend real money elsewhere.
The trademark filings signal genuine movement, but Tesla enthusiasts have learned to measure progress in legal documents rather than delivery dates. Your $50,000 Founder Series deposit might finally mean something tangible, assuming 2027 doesn’t become 2029.
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