Tesla unveiled its redesigned second-generation Roadster with SpaceX-derived thrusters, with CEO Elon Musk saying production would begin in 2028 after years of delays.
Musk announced no price. Tesla’s website showed Thursday that reservations cost $50,000 for the Performance trim and $250,000 for Thrust, while Rocket is available by invitation only.
At an event outside Waco, Texas, the car used high-powered fans and thrusters to drive up an inverted ramp, spin and land on pavement. It also lifted itself over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y and Model 3 while moving.
Tesla demonstrated acceleration from zero to 60 mph in one second. “This will be the actual car that’s on the roads,” Musk said, adding that it could perform those maneuvers whenever desired.
The two-seat Performance has active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system for road and track use. The two-seat Thrust uses rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for sub-one-second acceleration to 60 mph, while the single-seat Rocket has 10 cold-gas thrusters around the car.
All three trims have a stated range of 300 miles and top speeds exceeding 230 mph.
Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy said 10 thrusters connected to 600 liters of compressed air lift and spin the car in midair. The air tank can be recharged.
Tesla said on X that “every usable void” contains Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels, or COPVs. That type of vessel has been at the root of multiple SpaceX rocket explosions.
Musk previously said “safety is not the main goal.” On a podcast earlier this year, he advised buyers whose first priority was safety against purchasing the Roadster, saying Tesla would “aspire not to kill anyone in this car.”
Musk said Tesla and SpaceX engineers developed the vehicle together. Tesla attributed its angular redesign to inspiration from the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft and F-35 fighter jet.
Musk said Tesla may attempt to jump Snake River Canyon, where Evel Knievel tried to cross in a steam-powered rocket.
Tesla first unveiled the second-generation Roadster at its 2017 Semi reveal, almost nine years earlier. Initial deposits were $50,000, with some customers paying $250,000 for one of 1,000 Founders Series cars.
Musk proposed thrusters in 2018 but delayed the Roadster in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024. Late last year, he told Joe Rogan he hoped for a reveal by the end of 2025, then postponed it a week later to April 1, 2026. Severe weather subsequently forced cancellation of an October 1 event.
Delays drew criticism from customers including YouTuber Marques Brownlee and OpenAI head Sam Altman. Brownlee posted Thursday that Tesla had claimed a car weighing more than 4,000 pounds could flip, exceed 380 mph and ship in 2028, asking: “This is a prank, right?”
