Tesla has unveiled its second-generation Roadster, an all-electric sports car developed in partnership with SpaceX, featuring rocket-style thrusters and extraordinary performance claims. The vehicle was revealed at an event held at SpaceX’s rocket development and testing facility in McGregor, Texas, on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
According to Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, the redesigned Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 0.81 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 230 mph. The vehicle is also presented with the ability to perform aerial manoeuvres using thrusters, although the full technical specifications and practical limits of its flight capabilities have not yet been established.
SpaceX Technology Brings Rocket-Inspired Features
A video shared by Musk on X showed the futuristic white sports car launching into the air, flipping over stationary vehicles and landing back on the ground. Musk described the vehicle as having altitude controls, rear-mounted main thrusters and additional thrusters designed to enable dramatic manoeuvres.
The demonstration also featured the car using suction to climb a steep ramp and remain suspended upside down. However, Tesla has not clarified how these features would operate in everyday driving conditions or whether they would be legal for use on public roads.
Musk acknowledged that the Roadster was not necessarily optimised for safety, presenting it primarily as a high-performance vehicle designed to push technological boundaries.
Production Target Set for 2028
Tesla has indicated that production is scheduled to begin in 2028, although pricing details were not confirmed at the unveiling. The company previously quoted a base price of US$200,000 for the Roadster.
Following the event, Tesla’s reservation page listed a US$50,000 deposit for a performance version and a US$250,000 deposit for a variant featuring acceleration thrusters. A separate, invitation-only rocket version was described as a single-seat model equipped with a full flight system.
The deposits indicate the scale of the proposed offering, but final vehicle specifications, pricing and delivery arrangements remain subject to confirmation.
A New Flagship for Tesla
The Roadster could become Tesla’s halo car, a flagship vehicle intended to demonstrate the company’s engineering capabilities and attract attention to its wider technology portfolio.
The unveiling comes as Tesla increasingly focuses on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and robotics alongside its electric vehicle business. While Musk has previously played down the Roadster’s likely direct financial contribution, the model could strengthen the brand’s performance credentials and showcase technologies that distinguish it from conventional electric sports cars.
With production targeted for 2028, attention will now turn to whether Tesla can deliver the promised performance and thruster technology in a production-ready vehicle.
Note: Tesla’s claims about flight capability, acceleration and performance have not yet been independently verified, and the legality of operating such features on public roads remains unclear.
