Tesla files new Roadster trademarks

Tesla is finally getting closer to bringing its long-awaited next-generation Roadster to reality, as newly registered trademark filings reveal fresh branding and what appears to be the vehicle’s silhouette.

According to filings submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 3, Tesla has applied for a stylized “Roadster” wordmark, along with a separate design consisting of “a triangle design consisting of three flowing, curved lines.”

While the abstract description leaves room for interpretation, the accompanying design clearly reveals the basic shape of the upcoming electric supercar. (via Sawyer Merritt)

The trademark activity comes as Tesla is preparing to showcase the Roadster publicly for the first time. During a shareholder meeting last year, CEO Elon Musk said production of the next-generation Roadster is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2027. However, Tesla is planning a demonstration event on April 1, 2026, which could offer the first updated look at the vehicle since its original reveal.

The Roadster holds special significance for Tesla, as the original model launched in 2008 and helped establish the company as a serious player in the automotive industry. Nearly a decade later, Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster prototype in 2017 during the Semi truck reveal, promising unprecedented performance for an electric vehicle.

At the time, Musk claimed the Roadster would accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds and achieve a top speed exceeding 250 mph, putting it firmly in hypercar territory. Tesla also projected a driving range of approximately 620 miles (1,000 km), far surpassing most electric vehicles (EVs) on the market.

Despite those ambitious claims, the Roadster has faced repeated delays as Tesla prioritized scaling production of high-volume vehicles like the Model 3 and Model Y, while simultaneously building out Gigafactories in Shanghai, Berlin, and Texas.

Still, the Roadster remains one of Tesla’s most anticipated vehicles, with early reservation holders placing deposits as high as US$50,000 for the limited Founder Series, originally priced between US$200,000 and US$250,000.

Beyond its raw performance, Tesla has teased advanced features for the Roadster, including an optional SpaceX-inspired package that could bring the 0 to 60mph time down to a projected 1.1 seconds. Patent filings have also hinted at active aerodynamic systems designed to optimize downforce, potentially pushing the limits of what’s possible in an electric production car even further.

While questions remain about exact timelines, Tesla’s latest trademark filings suggest the Roadster project is once again gaining momentum. With a possible demo event just weeks away, the electric hypercar that helped define Tesla’s ambitions may soon move from promise to reality.

Are you buying a Tesla? If you enjoy our content and we helped in your decision, use our referral link to get three months of Full Self-Driving (FSD).