Your Next Roadster Will Look Like a Fighter Jet Cockpit

If you are thinking about buying one of the most expensive cars on the market, the way you will interact with it is changing. Tesla released a short video on Friday afternoon that gives a clear look at the digital interface inside the upcoming Roadster. The company explained that the design is modeled after fighter jets. The goal is to put all the controls right in front of the driver, who is treated as the pilot of the machine.

The video shows a 34 second walkthrough of the touchscreen experience. It starts with a black screen that has red graphics and a 3D wireframe of the car. This digital model sits next to the vehicle's squared off steering yoke. Users can tap different parts of the car model to change settings. For example, tapping the rear area brings up controls for the wing. You can choose between a low drag setting for speed or a high downforce setting for grip. There is also a simple page for charging and a small music player. A row of tabs at the bottom of the screen lets you switch between Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

One of the most important features shown is called Track Mode. This mode turns the dashboard into a real time data center for racing. It displays a live map of the circuit, a list of your lap times, and temperatures for the brakes and motors. The system also shows the pressure and temperature for each of the four tires individually. On the setup page, drivers can pick from Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, or Custom aero modes. You can also fine tune the balance of the aerodynamics and brakes. If you want to push the limits, you can turn off stability and traction control entirely.

At the bottom of the Track Mode screen, a status bar shows specific details about the car's propulsion system. It displays the text Thruster 5,500 PSI alongside a Boost Ready indicator. This software connects to the hardware that Tesla showed off near Waco, Texas on October 15. The Thrust and Rocket versions of the car use cold gas thrusters that are powered by pressure vessels wrapped in carbon. This technology is what allows these top tier models to reach 60 mph in under 0.9 seconds for the Thrust and under 0.59 seconds for the Rocket. The base Performance model uses a different system, relying on a fan and ground sealing to generate grip. The aero settings on the screen match the active wings and suction setup that analysts have previously described.

The interior layout is different from what you see in other Teslas. Instead of putting a map in the center of the home screen, the Roadster places a model of the car itself in the middle. The company's official page lists two smaller forward displays that work with the main touchscreen. Tesla has not said yet if these track telemetry features will show up in other cars, like the Model 3 Performance. The interface you see now is not final and may change before the cars are actually delivered.

Elon Musk said at a recent event that production of the Roadster is set to start in 2028. The company notes that the top tier Rocket version is not yet approved for use on public roads. If you want to secure a spot, reservations are open with a payment of $50,000. The Thrust model is listed as a limited release, while the Rocket version is only available if you get an invite.

If you want to see the car in person, your chance is this weekend. The Roadster will be on display in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27. Sawyer Merritt said this event will be the first time the general public can view the car up close. It is a rare look at what is coming in the future of high performance electric vehicles.