Tesla unveils thruster-equipped Roadster; production aimed at 2028

Tesla has finally shown the long-delayed second-generation Roadster in a livestream from a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas. The car’s “cyberfied” looks and mid-air stunts dominated the stream; the useful product details came afterward, largely from Tesla’s own posts and its updated Roadster page, as Electrek reports.

What the demo showed

The white two-seater drove upside down on a ramp with a suction system, then used cold-gas thrusters to flip and land. Later it leapt over other Tesla vehicles. Tesla credits SpaceX hardware and controls for thrusters that work in atmosphere, with compressed gas stored in carbon-fiber overwrapped pressure vessels packed into unused space in the car.

Performance, Thrust and Rocket

After the stream, Tesla described three configurations:

• Performance — road-ready, two seats, active aero and a multi-mode suction system; claimed 0–60 mph under 1.6 seconds; open for reservation.
• Thrust — adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters; claimed 0–60 under 0.9 seconds; limited release.
• Rocket — single seat, thrusters around the body for upward and rotational moves; claimed 0–60 under 0.59 seconds and top speed over 230 mph; invite only and not approved for public roads.

Tesla quotes range of over 300 miles — far below the 620 miles promised with the 2017 concept. Thrust and Rocket are framed as augments on the Performance car.

Design and cabin notes

Tesla says the shape draws on the SR-71 and F-35, with hidden headlights, a full-length taillight and flush aero. Inside: a steer-by-wire yoke, a center touchscreen and two smaller driver displays, plus a fixed seat position and magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber to save weight. Paint “Ano White” is described as borrowing from rocket coatings.

Price, deposits and timeline

Reservations ask for $5,000 due immediately (called fully refundable) and another $45,000 within 10 days — the same $50,000 total Tesla used in 2017. No MSRP for any trim was announced. Elon Musk said production in “2028, actually.” Road legality of thruster stunts on public roads remains unclear; Tesla itself marks Rocket as not road-approved.

For drivers who reserved years ago, the reveal answers the “what does it look like now?” question — and leaves the hardest ones (price, volume production, real-world range) for later.