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New Tesla Roadster Update, Full 3-Version Details Are Here!
9.4/10TL;DR
Tesla is outlining three radically different Roadster variants, from a track-focused electric supercar to a thruster-assisted flagship that could cost more than $1 million, but production is now targeted for 2028 after years of delays.
KEY POINTS
Three-tier lineup
Tesla’s next-generation Roadster is being presented in Performance, Thrust, and Rocket forms. All target extreme acceleration and a claimed range of more than 300 miles, but they differ sharply in propulsion hardware, cabin layout, legality, and likely price. The top versions move beyond conventional EV performance by adding compressed-gas thrusters.
Performance model targets track capability
The base Performance version is claimed to reach 0-60 mph in under 1.6 seconds, exceed 210 mph, and deliver more than 1 megawatt of peak power with over 1,400 Nm of torque. It keeps a two-seat layout and adds active aerodynamics, including a rear wing, underbody airflow management, and a listed suction-fan system intended to boost downforce and cornering grip. Adaptive suspension is said to lower ride height by up to 40 mm and increase stiffness by more than three times in track mode.
Advanced chassis and control systems
The car is also listed with carbon-ceramic brakes, wheel-by-wheel brake control, steer-by-wire, and brake-by-wire. Inside, it includes a yoke-style steering wheel, adjustable seating, and physical controls. These features suggest Tesla is aiming for more than straight-line speed, though steering feel, durability, and real-world track performance remain unproven until a production version appears.
Thrust adds rear cold-gas propulsion
The Thrust variant keeps the two-seat cabin and core chassis package but adds a COPV pressure vessel and four rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters. Tesla claims that setup could cut 0-60 mph time to under 0.9 seconds. Rather than burning fuel, the system would expel compressed gas through nozzles to generate reaction force, using the same physical principle as a rapidly deflating balloon but at far greater pressure and control.
Extra thrust, but practical limits remain
Published specifications indicate the four rear thrusters could produce a combined force of more than 80 kN. Even so, real acceleration would still depend on vehicle mass, tire grip, thrust duration, and how the compressed-gas system performs under repeated use. The Thrust version also carries a Supersonic interior package, including an ultra-white cabin, gray microsuede accents, small driver displays, and yellow-tinted glass.
Rocket shifts into experimental territory
The most extreme version, Rocket, is described as not approved for public roads and aimed at a tiny group of ultra-wealthy buyers. It drops to a single-seat configuration to make room for extra propulsion hardware. The layout reportedly includes 10 thrusters and two COPV pressure vessels: four rear thrusters for forward thrust, four downward-facing units for lift, and two side thrusters for rotational control.
Claims include lift and 5G acceleration
Tesla lists the Rocket at under 0.59 seconds from 0-60 mph, more than 230 mph top speed, and peak acceleration above 5G, while still claiming more than 1 megawatt of power and over 300 miles of range. The concept goes beyond launch performance, with the stated goal of lifting the car and controlling its orientation in midair. Those are extraordinary claims that would require independent verification and raise obvious questions about safety, operating environments, and human tolerance.
Pricing could span six to seven figures
No official prices have been announced, but current estimates place the Performance version at roughly $250,000 to $350,000. The Thrust model could land around $350,000 to $500,000 or more, while the Rocket could exceed $1 million. A Thrust reservation deposit has been listed as high as $250,000, underscoring how exclusive the upper trims may be.
Display model highlights exclusivity and risk
A Thrust example was recently shown publicly at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, offering one of the clearest looks yet at the project. But the display also highlighted the gap between presentation and production. Specifications, features, and final availability could still change before launch.
2028 production target tests credibility
Tesla first unveiled the new Roadster in 2017, with original production plans pointing to 2020. The company is now targeting 2028 production at Gigafactory Texas, with first deliveries potentially slipping to late 2028 or 2029 depending on ramp-up and reservation priority. Reservation terms reportedly do not guarantee a delivery date, leaving buyers exposed to further delays.
CONCLUSION
The next Tesla Roadster is being positioned as part electric supercar, part engineering moonshot. Its success will depend less on headline numbers than on whether Tesla can finally deliver a production car that matches its unusually ambitious claims by 2028.
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