Tesla Reveals the Digital Cockpit of Its Upcoming Supercar

Tesla provided a detailed preview of the digital interface for its forthcoming next-generation Roadster on Friday afternoon. The company released a 34-second video on the social platform X, illustrating how the vehicle’s touchscreen will function. The accompanying description noted that the design draws inspiration from fighter jet cockpits, centering the layout around the driver’s needs rather than traditional automotive conventions.

The demonstration begins with a black screen featuring red graphical elements and a three-dimensional wireframe representation of the car. This model is positioned next to the vehicle’s square steering yoke. Interacting with specific parts of the digital model reveals controls for the rear wing, offering options for low drag and high downforce configurations. The interface also includes a charging page with a limit bar and a compact music player. A navigation bar at the bottom of the screen provides access to tabs for Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

A significant portion of the footage focuses on Track Mode. In this view, the dashboard displays a live map of the racing circuit, a list of session lap times, and real-time data for brake and motor temperatures. It also shows pressure and temperature readings for each individual tire. The setup page allows drivers to select from Auto, Low Drag, High Downforce, or Custom aerodynamic modes. Additionally, users can adjust aerodynamic and brake balance, and disable stability and traction control systems.

A status bar at the bottom of the Track Mode screen indicates the pressure of the thruster system at 5,500 PSI, alongside a “Boost Ready” indicator. This software feature connects directly to the hardware unveiled in Waco, Texas, on October 15 of this year. Tesla’s Thrust and Rocket variants utilize cold gas thrusters supplied by carbon-wrapped pressure vessels. The manufacturer claims these versions achieve acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds, respectively.

The base Performance model employs a fan and ground sealing system to generate grip. The aerodynamic settings visible in the video correspond to the active wing and suction systems previously detailed in analyses of the Roadster’s downforce generation. This layout marks a significant shift from Tesla’s other vehicles, which typically center the map on the main display. In contrast, the Roadster places the vehicle itself at the center of the home page, with two smaller forward-facing displays listed alongside the primary touchscreen.

Tesla has not confirmed whether the Track Mode telemetry will be adapted for other models, such as the Model 3 Performance. The interface may undergo further changes before the cars are delivered to customers. Elon Musk stated at the October event that production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028. The company has also noted that the top-tier Rocket version has not yet received approval for general public road use.

Reservations for the vehicle are currently open, requiring a $50,000 payment. The Thrust version is described as a limited release, while the Rocket model is available only by invitation. For those eager to view the physical car, the first public opportunity will be this weekend. The Roadster will be displayed in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 to 27, according to Sawyer Merritt. This exhibition marks the first time the public will have the chance to inspect the vehicle up close.