Tesla demonstrated its next-generation Roadster in Texas, showing it fly and accelerate to 60mph in under a second, with production slated for 2028.
Key facts
- •Tesla demonstrated the next-gen Roadster driving upside down and flying using SpaceX-derived thrusters.
- •The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under one second and has a top speed exceeding 230 mph.
- •Production of the new Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028.
- •Reservations are open for $50,000 for the Performance trim and $250,000 for the Thrust trim.
- •The car uses 10 thrusters connected to 600 liters of compressed air for aerial maneuvers.
- •All three trims will offer 300 miles of range.
Tesla demonstrated its next-generation Roadster at an event in Waco, Texas, where the electric supercar drove upside down, briefly flew, and accelerated to 60mph in under a second. CEO Elon Musk stated that the vehicle will be built in 2028 and is the result of a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. The event featured a demonstration of the car using high-powered fans and thrusters to perform aerial maneuvers.
By the numbers
Demonstration and Performance
The demonstration showed the Roadster using a mixture of high-powered fans and thrusters to drive up an inverted ramp, spin around, and land on the pavement. The car also used thrusters to lift itself over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3 while in motion. Tesla showed the vehicle accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in one second. Engineering VP Lars Moravy explained that the car uses 10 thrusters connected to 600 liters of compressed air to lift and spin the vehicle in midair, with the air tank being rechargeable.
Trim Levels and Reservations
Tesla will offer the Roadster in three trims: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Performance trim is described as "road ready," seats two, and features active aerodynamics. The Thrust trim is "race ready," seats two, and includes rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for sub-one-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration. The Rocket trim is "air ready," seats one, and has 10 cold-gas thrusters positioned around the car. All trims will have 300 miles of range and speeds exceeding 230 miles per hour. Tesla is taking reservations for $50,000 for the Performance trim and $250,000 for the Thrust trim, while the Rocket trim is billed as "invite only."
Production Timeline and History
Musk said Tesla will finally build the long-delayed vehicle in 2028. The original Roadster was first delivered in 2008, and a prototype for the next generation was announced during the 2017 Tesla Semi event. Early adopters paid $50,000 deposits, or $250,000 for the limited Founders Series. Musk has previously called the project a "small potato situation" that will not "move the needle in a major way financially," framing it as a joint engineering collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX.
Timeline
- 2008Original Tesla Roadster was first delivered.
- 2017Next-generation Roadster prototype was announced during the Tesla Semi event.
- ThursdayTesla demonstrated the next-gen Roadster at a SpaceX test site in Texas.
- 2028Tesla plans to build the long-delayed vehicle.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Verge, TechCrunch, CNBC Technology.
