Tesla Unveils Futuristic Roadster: A SpaceX-Enhanced Ride that Soars and Dives in Style
Tesla has unveiled its newly designed second-generation Roadster, featuring SpaceX thrusters, which CEO Elon Musk terms “the ultimate human-driven vehicle.”
During an event near Waco, Texas, Musk demonstrated the car’s capabilities, showcasing its combination of powerful fans and thrusters to ascend an inverted ramp, rotate mid-air, and descend onto the ground. The vehicle also leveraged these thrusters to soar over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3 while driving.
“This will be the production version you’ll see on the roads,” Musk stated, highlighting that the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just one second. “It literally puffs itself up, allowing for these maneuvers whenever desired.”
According to Musk, Tesla plans to commence production of the much-anticipated vehicle in 2028, though a price has not yet been revealed. The Roadster will be available in three different trims. The first is “Performance,” designed for the road with seating for two, active aerodynamics, and a “multi-mode suction system” for enhanced performance in various conditions. The second, “Thrust,” is aimed at racing enthusiasts, also seating two and including rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for sub-one-second acceleration. The final trim, “Rocket,” is tailored for aerial use and seats one, equipped with ten cold-gas thrusters located around the body.
All three trims boast a range of 300 miles and speeds over 230 miles per hour.
On its website, Tesla announced that reservations for the Roadster are now open, with a $50,000 deposit required for the Performance model and a $250,000 fee for the Thrust trim. The Rocket variant will only be available by invitation.
Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering, Lars Moravy, explained that the Roadster utilizes ten thrusters fueled by 600 liters of compressed air for aerial maneuvers. He noted that this air supply can be replenished. “Every available space in the vehicle is filled with Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs),” Tesla detailed in a statement, referencing the pressure containers linked to previous SpaceX rocket incidents.
Musk further hinted at an ambitious stunt involving a jump over Snake River Canyon, which recalls Evel Knievel’s legendary rocket attempt.
Though Musk views the Roadster as a significant showcase for Tesla, he has acknowledged it may not greatly impact the company’s revenue. He previously remarked that safety isn’t the primary concern with this new model.
“If you’re in the market for a Ferrari, safety isn’t the top consideration. If safety is your priority, the Roadster isn’t for you,” he confessed during a podcast earlier this year, while expressing a desire to ensure the vehicle remains safe.
Musk lauded the collaboration of Tesla and SpaceX engineers, emphasizing the revolutionary nature of the car. “What we’ve created is unmatched, surpassing anything seen in films, even beyond a James Bond car,” he asserted. “When I pitched this to my team, I wondered if I was being unreasonable.”
Musk had previously indicated that the Roadster would be “very different” from prior models, boasting an engaging demonstration experience that would be one of the most thrilling product unveilings.
The Roadster’s new design, now more angular and reminiscent of a Lamborghini or the iconic Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me, was displayed in striking white at the event, with Musk also showcasing the actual Lotus he owns.
Tesla noted that the design takes cues from advanced aircraft like the SR-71 reconnaissance plane and the F-35 fighter jet.
“Our design philosophy has shifted since the previous reveal: from S3XY to include Cybertruck, Cybercab, and Optimus,” the company stated.
The event coincided with nearly nine years since the initial unveiling of the second-generation Roadster, a revamped version of its first model. Originally revealed in a surprise twist at the conclusion of the 2017 Tesla Semi introduction, the modern Roadster was expected to be released within a few years. Early adopters could deposit $50,000 for reservations, while those aiming for the “Founders Series” could put down $250,000.
Musk first proposed adding thrusters to the Roadster back in 2018, teasing their potential benefits for acceleration and speed via social media, envisioning a future where Teslas could possibly fly.
However, the Roadster project faced delays as Tesla encountered “production hell” with its Model 3. The automaker then shifted its focus to subsequent projects, like the popular Model Y SUV and the Cybertruck, which did not meet initial expectations. Musk postponed the Roadster launch multiple times, in 2020, 2021, 2023, and now to 2024.
As more time passed, Musk resumed discussions about the Roadster. Late last year, he expressed a desire to unveil it by the end of 2025, but soon after that, during a shareholder meeting, he shifted the date to April 1, 2026, suggesting this date could provide “some deniability” if further delays occurred.
He explained, “I could claim I was just joking.” Ultimately, the event faced another setback due to inclement weather that interfered with plans to reveal it on October 1.
These numerous delays have prompted feedback from high-profile clients, including internet influencer Marques Brownlee and OpenAI leader Sam Altman.
In response to Thursday’s event, Brownlee humorously questioned if the demonstration was part of an elaborate prank, given the ambitious promises for the Roadster’s capabilities.
