After nine years of promises, delays, and deposits that started to feel like sunk costs, Tesla has finally revealed the next-generation Roadster. And it flies.
At a livestreamed event from SpaceX's testing facility in McGregor, Texas, Elon Musk unveiled a car that blurs the line between automotive engineering and rocket science. A prototype drove upside down on a curved ramp, launched off it, did a barrel roll in mid-air, and landed on the ground in a cloud of white smoke.
"It can basically fly like a rocket," Musk told the crowd. "It can do, like, crazy gymnastics. Whatever you want." He added, with characteristic understatement, "This is not necessarily a safety-optimised car, but it takes the fun meter to 11 out of 10."
The Roadster uses SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters fed by ultra-high-pressure air tanks that the car can recharge itself. Four rear-mounted thrusters produce over 80 kilonewtons of force. A fan system underneath the car generates 2 g's of suction, allowing it to stick to surfaces and even drive upside down.
On the acceleration front, Tesla demonstrated 0-60 mph in 0.81 seconds. Musk said they expect to go even faster. Top speed is claimed at over 230 mph, with Musk saying the goal is to crack half the speed of sound at 383 mph.
Three configurations will be available: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Performance trim includes the active rear wing and fan system. Thrust adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters. The Rocket trim is invite-only, seats only the driver, and adds perimeter-mounted thrusters that allow forward, upward, and lateral movement.
The design takes inspiration from aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird and F-35, with a wedge shape that also evokes the white Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me. The interior features a yoke-style steering wheel, a large horizontal screen, and butterfly doors. Notably, the Roadster will be the only Tesla without FSD. Musk called it the last Tesla meant to be driven by a human.
Production is slated for 2028. Pricing was not announced. Deposits of $50,000 are being accepted for the Performance trim, while the Thrust version requires $250,000 down. The Rocket trim is by invitation only.
When an audience member asked if it was street legal, Musk replied: "Depends on your street. It'll be a viable car."
Watch the full reveal below: