Tesla Shows Off Roadster Screen Ahead of Museum Display, With 2028 Production Start

Tesla gave prospective buyers their first look at the Roadster's cockpit software on Friday, releasing a 34-second clip on X that walks through the touchscreen layout. The company described the design as inspired by fighter jet cockpits and built around the driver. The screen puts a 3D wireframe of the car at the center of the home page, next to the squared-off yoke. Tapping sections of that model opens controls for the rear wing, including low-drag and high-downforce positions, along with a charging page and a compact music player. A row of tabs along the bottom runs Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate and Navigate.

Track Mode takes up much of the demonstration. Its dashboard shows a live circuit map, a list of session lap times, and real-time brake and motor temperature data. It also reports pressure and temperature for each individual tire. The setup page lets the driver choose Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce or Custom aero modes, adjust aero balance and brake balance, and turn off stability and traction control.

The bottom of that screen carries a status bar reading Thruster 5,500 PSI alongside a Boost Ready indicator. That display points to hardware Tesla showed near Waco, Texas on October 15, where the Thrust and Rocket versions were fitted with cold gas thrusters fed by carbon overwrapped pressure vessels. Earlier breakdowns of the three Roadster configurations put 0 to 60 mph times at under 0.9 seconds for the Thrust model and under 0.59 seconds for the Rocket. The base Performance model relies on a fan and ground sealing system for grip.

The Roadster's interior departs from the rest of Tesla's lineup by putting a model of the car at the center of the home page instead of a map. Tesla's page for the vehicle lists two smaller forward displays that sit alongside the main touchscreen. The company has not said whether Track Mode telemetry will reach other models such as the Model 3 Performance.

The interface on display may change before the car ships. Elon Musk said at a recent event that Roadster production is scheduled to start in 2028. Tesla has noted that the Rocket version is not yet approved for public road use. Reservations require a $50,000 payment, with the Thrust model listed as a limited release and the Rocket version offered on an invite-only basis.

The car goes on public view starting Saturday. The Roadster is set to sit in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. Sawyer Merritt said the event will mark the first time the general public can see the car up close.