The upcoming second-generation Tesla Roadster aims to change the hypercar rules. Elon Musk previously confirmed prototypes will begin testing at the Nurburgring next year with the ultimate goal of setting a new production car lap record. The Roadster's claimed 0-60 mph time of just 1.9 seconds will also be quite something. But when will the Roadster finally go on sale?

Tesla has yet to set a firm date but it appears the process is moving along. Electrek claims the automaker has begun contacting existing owners who've referred enough new customers through the referral program to receive a new Roadster discount (or even a free car) about a new deadline. They now supposedly have until the end of this year to claim the discount.

With only a few weeks to go until 2021, this somewhat last-minute notice is a bit unexpected because there's still no Roadster launch date yet. However, ending the discount referral program could mean production might get underway sometime in 2021.

The referral program is quite attractive for new Roadster buyers because after five referrals they unlock the first of several "secret levels" that offer all sorts of cool prizes, including a 10 percent discount on a Roadster Founder Series. After five referrals, the first level is unlocked and buyers will receive a 2 percent discount on the $250,000 Roadster per new referral. Receiving credit for each referral must result in the sale of a new Tesla vehicle.

The ultimate prize is a free Roadster but that requires at least 50 referrals. The program has been in place for a few years and supposedly several people will be getting a free Roadster. Some even accumulated enough referrals for two free Founder Series Roadsters.

The arrival of the Tesla Model 3 made referring new customers a lot easier because of its less expensive price. If the Roadster is indeed coming next year, it'd still be a full year behind schedule. When it debuted back in 2017, Musk said it'd arrive in 2020 but just a few months ago he confirmed the program was no longer a priority and hinted the Roadster could be delayed until 2022. Cybertruck production is now center stage. Whenever Roadster production does get underway it'll take place in Fremont, California.