5,500 PSI and a 'Boost Ready' Light: Inside the Roadster's Driver Display

A 5,500 PSI pressure gauge sits at the bottom of the screen, a stark digital readout next to a 'Boost Ready' indicator. This detail, visible in a brief video released by Tesla on October 23, offers the most direct look yet at the software interface for its forthcoming next-generation Roadster, specifically how it will present information related to the vehicle's high-pressure gas thruster system. The 34-second clip, posted on the social platform X, walks through the vehicle's touchscreen, which the company described in its caption as an interface 'designed around the pilot' and 'inspired by fighter jet cockpits.'

The video begins with a dark screen featuring red graphics and a three-dimensional wireframe model of the Roadster positioned next to its squared-off steering yoke. Users can interact with the model to access controls for the rear wing, with options for both low-drag and high-downforce configurations. The screen also displays a charging page, a music player, and a row of navigation tabs at the bottom labeled Home, Vehicle, Listen, Climate, and Navigate.

The majority of the footage is dedicated to Track Mode, a software setting designed for performance driving. In this mode, the display provides a live map of the circuit, a log of lap times for the current session, and real-time telemetry including brake and motor temperatures. It also shows individual pressure and temperature readings for each of the four tires, information typically found in dedicated racing applications rather than production car interfaces. A separate setup screen allows for adjustments to aero balance and brake balance, and provides toggles to disable stability and traction control systems.

The on-screen aero settings, which include options for Low Drag, High Downforce, and Custom modes, correspond to the physical hardware of the vehicle. This software functionality is tied to the hardware details revealed by Tesla at an event near Waco, Texas on October 15. The Thrust and Rocket versions of the Roadster are equipped with carbon-overwrapped pressure vessels that feed cold gas thrusters, enabling acceleration figures of under 0.9 seconds and under 0.59 seconds to 60 mph, respectively. The base Performance model instead utilizes a fan and ground-sealing system to generate grip.

This interface design marks a clear departure from the layout used in Tesla's other vehicles. Rather than centering the display on a map for navigation, the Roadster's home page places a 3D model of the car at the center of the screen. Furthermore, Tesla's official Roadster page indicates the vehicle will have two smaller displays located forward of the main central touchscreen. It remains to be seen if the detailed telemetry shown in Track Mode will be made available on other Tesla models.

The interface itself is not yet final, and the vehicle is still in the pre-production phase. At the October 15 event, Elon Musk stated that Roadster production is scheduled to begin in 2028. Tesla also specifies that the flagship Rocket version is not approved for use on public roads. For those interested in the vehicle, reservations are currently open with a $50,000 deposit, though availability is tiered: the Thrust version is listed as a limited release, while access to the Rocket version is by invitation only.

An opportunity for the public to view the Roadster in person is scheduled for this weekend. According to Sawyer Merritt, the vehicle will be on display in the lobby of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from October 24 through October 27, marking the first time it has been available for close-up public viewing.