Elon Musk has announced the arrival of the second-generation Tesla Roadster, setting a new benchmark in electric vehicle performance. Musk's recent updates promise some big things for the future of electric sports cars, with the Roadster being revealed later in 2024 and expected deliveries beginning in 2025.

Before we look at the new Roadster which may be capable of… flying, lets take a look back at the first-generation Tesla Roadster. The first Tesla Roadster was launched in 2010 with RHD models getting around 288bhp, with a 0-60 time of 4 seconds. The Roadster is now something of a collector’s item here in the UK, so we’re all excited to see if the next generation lives up to everyone’s expectations.

Musk has teased that the new Tesla Roadster will achieve 0-60mph in under 1 second, a figure that will wipe the floor with basically every other car out there. The prospect of a sub-1-second 0-60mph time sets the Roadster apart from all current production cars, including the Rimac Nevera, previously holding the title for the world's fastest-accelerating car.

Tesla’s co-founder and CEO Musk wrote on social media recently stating “Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster. There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.”

Promised features include some kind of optional rocket-assisted launch/handling system, courtesy of a collaboration with SpaceX, hinting at performance capabilities beyond traditional automotive norms. Additionally, the Roadster promises a range of 620 miles, seating for four, and a removable glass roof, combining performance with practicality.

The Roadster is rumoured to have an eye-watering starting price of around $200,000, however if it really can fly, then it could be a bargain. If it stays at the originally quoted $200,000 - $250,000 price that is. While it may cater to a niche market, the Roadster's impact on Tesla's brand and the electric vehicle industry could be profound.

However, the journey to the Roadster's production is not without challenges. Previous delays and the ambitious nature of its features, such as the rocket-assisted system, have led to scepticism. Yet, if Tesla delivers on its promises, the Roadster will be a testament to the brand's innovation and engineering prowess.

The new Tesla Roadster is shaping up to be something special, with its mind-blowing acceleration and futuristic features, the Roadster is poised to redefine what's possible in an electric vehicle. As we await its official debut, the question remains: will the new Tesla Roadster live up to the hype and revolutionise the electric vehicle market? Only time will tell.