Roadster Cockpit Reveals Fighter-Jet Interface Ahead of 2028 Launch
Tesla unveiled a new digital dashboard for its upcoming high-performance car, featuring detailed track telemetry and thruster controls.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Tesla has finally pulled back the curtain on the driver’s experience inside its next-generation Roadster. The interface is not designed for casual commuting; it is built for speed. A new video reveals a cockpit layout that mimics the controls of a fighter jet, placing the driver at the center of a high-tech environment. This marks a significant shift from the minimalist screens found in the company's other vehicles.
The story begins with a hardware reveal near Waco, Texas, on October 15. That event showcased the car’s physical capabilities, including cold gas thrusters and advanced aerodynamics. On Friday, October 24, Tesla followed up with a 34-second clip on X. The footage walks through the touchscreen interface, showing how the software interacts with the car’s aggressive performance features. The caption noted that the design was inspired by fighter jet cockpits.
The display prioritizes the vehicle itself over navigation maps. The home screen features a 3D wireframe of the car next to its squared-off yoke. Tapping the model reveals controls for the rear wing, allowing drivers to switch between low drag and high downforce. A charging page and a small music player are also accessible. The bottom of the screen includes tabs for Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.
The most detailed view is the Track Mode. This screen displays a live circuit map, session lap times, and critical mechanical data. Drivers can monitor brake and motor temperatures, as well as pressure and temperature for each tire. A setup page offers granular control, letting users select aero modes like Auto, Low Drag, or High Downforce. Drivers can also adjust aero and brake balance, or turn off stability and traction control for maximum performance.
A status bar at the bottom of the screen displays "Thruster · 5,500 PSI" alongside a "Boost Ready" indicator. This software ties directly to the hardware shown in Texas. The Thrust and Rocket versions use carbon overwrapped pressure vessels to power cold gas thrusters. Tesla claims these versions can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds, respectively. The base Performance model uses a different system, relying on a fan and ground sealing for grip.
The Roadster’s layout differs from the rest of Tesla’s lineup. Instead of a centered map, the car itself anchors the home page. Two smaller forward displays accompany the main touchscreen. Tesla has not confirmed if this telemetry will appear in other models like the Model 3 Performance. Elon Musk stated that production begins in 2028. The Rocket version is not yet approved for public roads. Reservations are open for a $50,000 payment, with Thrust as a limited release and Rocket as invite-only.
The public can see the car in person starting this weekend. The Roadster will be on display in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. This marks the first time the vehicle will be available for close-up viewing by the general public.
