Tesla Unveils Rocket-Powered Roadster, Production in 2028

Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster with rocket-style thrusters at an event on Thursday, October 15, and said production will start in 2028. The two-seater was developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the rocket company led by CEO Elon Musk.

The Reveal

At a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, the white Roadster drove upside down on a ramp using a suction system, turned in the air and landed using built-in thrusters. It later used the thrusters to jump over a truck and other vehicles.

Claimed Specifications

• Zero to 60mph (97kph) in under one second.

• A top speed of over 230mph (370kph), with Musk saying it would be “definitely much faster” than that.

• A range of over 300 miles (480 km) on a single charge, which is less than the figure promised in 2017.

Pricing and Reservations

No target prices were announced, though Tesla quoted a base price of $200,000 nearly a decade ago. The reservation page lists a “Performance” version with a $50,000 deposit and a “Thrust” version with acceleration thrusters and a $250,000 deposit. A single-seat “Rocket” variant with a “full flight system” is described as invite-only.

Context

The original Roadster, sold from 2008 to 2012, was Tesla’s first electric vehicle. Analyst Seth Goldstein of Morningstar has said the new model would serve as Tesla’s “halo car”. The reveal comes as Tesla shifts its focus to self-driving technology and robotics, and ahead of its third-quarter results on October 21, which analysts say will matter more to investors.