On Thursday, October 15, the world was astonished when Tesla demonstrated its next-generation Tesla Roadster’s flying capabilities.
Beyond its over-the-top impressive capabilities, the radically redesigned Tesla Roadster epitomizes ultra-modern automotive form, function, and luxury in a single car.
According to Elon Musk’s announcement during the live-streamed unveiling event, production of the next-gen Roadster will start in 2028. Of course, this timeline is tentative and could stretch by a year or two because of factory setup and custom tooling needs.
Musk has admitted that although his products are late, they are ultimately delivered. It has been about 9 years since Tesla unveiled the first prototype of the next-gen Roadster in 2017.
With the recent unveiling, Tesla now offers three variants of the next-gen Roadster: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
Tesla refers to Thrust and Rocket as ‘Augments’ instead of variants or versions. Augment fits better, as each version puts the car at a different level of power and capability.
Final prices are not announced. The automaker is only taking partial reservation amounts from customers for now (details below).
Tesla Roadster Performance
Tesla Roadster Performance is the base version of the electric supercar. Performance will be the one going into mass production. However, historically, Tesla prioritizes delivering higher-end versions to customers first.
The base Tesla Roadster Performance is one of the fastest, most aerodynamic, and best-designed sports cars in the world. The upper augments (Thrust and Rocket) are for those who want more than a car, as we witnessed at the reveal event.
The base Roadster version will have extreme track performance, but it will not be able to climb, stick upside down, perform a 360° flip, or fly and land. Normal owners usually don’t want these features. Some or all of them would even be illegal in most jurisdictions.
Roadster Performance has both active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system. Together, these systems make the Tesla Roadster the best car on any racetrack.
The amount of downforce generated by the suction system gives the Tesla Roadster an extremely powerful road grip, enabling precise cornering at ultra-high speeds. According to Elon Musk, it will break all track records set by previous sports or supercars.
When not needed, the active aerodynamic components (g-force wing spoiler, openings in the front fenders behind the wheels, etc.) are concealed in the body.
Tesla explains the hidden aerodynamics as:
Designed to be minimalist yet highly technical. Hidden headlights, a full-length taillight and flush-mounted aerodynamics conceal the vehicle’s true form. It is grounded by super light wheels with thin spokes that reinforce its structural strength when earthbound.
Reservation and Pricing
The base Performance version of the next-gen Tesla Roadster can be reserved for $50,000 ($5K paid by card online and $45K via wire transfer to Tesla, Inc.). Reservations are currently open via Tesla’s official website.
Tesla hasn’t announced the final price for any variant. The base Tesla Roadster Performance is expected to cost between $200K and $300K, given that it’s a major upgrade over the previous prototype (priced at $200,000 in 2017).
Augment #1: Tesla Roadster Thrust
The augmented Thrust version of the Tesla Roadster can go from 0-60 mph in just 0.81 seconds (0.67 seconds with rollout subtracted), as the automaker demonstrated at the unveiling (video below).
In addition to the multi-mode suction system, the Thrust Roadster also includes rear thrusters for increased acceleration.
If you want to put the entire roster of drag-racing cars to shame at the drag strip, Tesla Roadster Thrust is for you (if you can afford it, of course).
Reservation and Pricing
The final price of the Thrust version is also not disclosed. Tesla is asking a total of $250,000 for a confirmed reservation of the Roadster Thrust augmented upgrade ($5K by card online and $245K via bank wire).
Tesla will produce a limited number of Thrust Roadsters, and it will require a reservation in hand if you want delivery no earlier than (NET) 2028.
Augment #2: Tesla Roadster Rocket (flying version)
The Rocket version of the next-gen Tesla Roadster is the ultimate supercar that the world has ever witnessed. It can climb vertically, hang upside down, jump from 68 ft in the air, perform a flip, jump over 5 vehicles (Kickflip), and land safely.
The Tesla Rocket Roadster has 2 SpaceX carbon-overlay pressurized vessels (mini rockets) installed in it. It has 10 rocket thrusters (exhaust points) to control attitude (angle), flip-maneuver accuracy, and landing.
Out of This World
Tesla
We already put Roadster in a rocket. Now we put a rocket in Roadster. We created a vehicle capable of next-level performance. Additional SpaceX components can transform that road performance into a truly revolutionary experience.
Pricing and Availability
Unfortunately, Tesla lists the Roadster Rocket as ‘invite-only’ on its website. The automaker will likely produce only a limited number of these augmented Roadster Rocket variants and sell them to eligible customers for upwards of $1 million.
Stay tuned for constant Tesla updates. Follow us on:
Google News | Flipboard | X (Twitter) | WhatsApp Channel | RSS (Feedly).
Related Tesla Roadster News
- Tesla offers three Roadster variants: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket
- Tesla stuns the world with the flying Roadster stunts (videos), learn how it all works
- Watch the live stream of the Tesla Roadster unveiling event and get live updates (pics and info)
- Tesla shares Roadster unveiling live-stream timings, “Timing is everything,” says Musk
- Tesla’s ‘Electric Fan Car’ patent makes Roadster unveiling even more dramatic
- Austin, Texas weather delays Tesla Roadster unveiling by 2 weeks
 offers three variants of the next-gen Tesla Roadster (Performance, Thrust, and Rocket). Get details on augments, design, aerodynamics, pricing and availability.){kind=link}