Tesla has revealed a new concept prototype for its next-generation Roadster, driven by bold SpaceX-inspired technology such as compressed-gas thrusters, large-scale suction fans and potential flight capabilities. The highly anticipated electric supercar was unveiled close to SpaceX’s rocket development complex in McGregor, Texas, alongside demonstrations including driving upside down, mid-air flips and thruster-assisted jumps. According to Tesla, the redesigned Roadster will be produced in three models, including the Performance, Thrust and Rocket versions, with each one specified with varying performance metrics and hardware options. Tesla has also provided details for some of the Tesla-specifications of the 2.0 supercar, including acceleration from zero to 60 mph in less than one second, a projected top speed of roughly 383 miles per hour, and an available set of unusual features such as jet-like thrusters.

The pre-production Roadster with its futuristic flight design and radical performance goals has been, in the words of the company, a “mystery that’s been waiting to unfold” since its announcement in 2017. Tesla’s is aiming for a 2028 release, but questions still swirl about whether the car will make it out of the decimates that has plagued the Roadster due to continuous delays and even if all the Roadster boasts including what appear to be aerial feats and rocket-like propulsion will actually make it onto the production vehicle. Tesla says it’s collecting reservation deposits on the Roadster that are probably hefty, though, with $250,000 down on a Thrust model and $50,000 on a Performance. Whether it will live up to all those charges remains to be seen.

1. Tesla Reveals a Redesigned Roadster With SpaceX-Inspired Technology

Tesla has officially demonstrated its redesigned next-gen Roadster prototype, showcasing a high-concept combination of electric supercar and rocket tech rooted in SpaceX. The car was shown at an event held just outside Waco, Texas, near the rocket-maker’s space vehicle development center in McGregor. Tesla boss Elon Musk called it “the best of the last of the human-driven cars” while trying to deliver maximum fun as the flavour. Tesla first showed the second-generation Roadster concept back in 2017, but the new, revised prototype brings design and tech revisions that make it very much a new ride. Production is aimed for 2028, and its key features include compressed-gas thrusters, high-tech intake systems and aerial moves that take the concept well beyond a traditional electric sports car.

Roadster’s Biggest New Developments:

• Redesigned next-generation electric supercar
• SpaceX-inspired rocket thruster technology
• Dramatic aerodynamic engineering improvements
• Production currently targeted for 2028
• Focus on human-driven excitement

The demonstration set out to prove the unusual abilities of the Roadster. Tesla showcased its prototype driving upside down an upside down ramp with the help of suction fans and compressed-gas thrusters. The car spun midair then came back downwards onto the pavement in a waft of white gas. It also used its thrusters to leap over other Tesla vehicles like the Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y and Model 3. Musk said these stunts were meant for the production vehicle, not just show off for no reason “This is a car that can actually do these things, hopefully, sometimes maybe in the future, jump Snake River Canyon if I don’t blow up the car first.”

2. Tesla Demonstrates Aerial Maneuvers and Upside-Down Driving

Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the new Roadster is the teased ability to perform stunts that traditional road cars would not be able to do. The launch event for the new car had the prototype accelerating across a ramp that’s upside down, using powerful suction fans and compressed air to propel the sports car through the air and slam onto the pavement. Another stunt involved the car leaping over a line of Tesla vehicles. It demonstrated how the car utilizes traditional electric drive alongside aerospace-inspired technology. Musk insisted that the aerial tricks are something the final production version will be able to do. “It can lift itself up and do tricks like this whenever it wants, is the bottom line,” Musk said.

Inside the Roadster’s Aerial Showcase:

• Inverted-ramp driving demonstration
• Mid-air rotation and controlled landing
• Thruster-assisted jumps over vehicles
• Compressed gas supports aerial maneuvers
• Musk promises production-intent capabilities

Musk’s comments also demonstrated how far Tesla plans to take a performance car. Rather than limiting the Roadster to acceleration, cornering and top speed, the company has sought to make aerial movement another one of the car’s signature feats. The demonstration of the jump included leaps over the Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y and Model 3, turning the peculiar test machine into the star of the show. Musk added that it might try a jump over Snake River Canyon, connecting the stunt to Evel Knievel’s iconic leap with a rocket. It’s not clear what the Roadster will look like in production, how it will be used on roads and whether the claims are truly feasible. The current production goal is still set for 2028.

3. Tesla Introduces Three Roadster Trims: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket

After the reveal, Tesla updated the online reservation page to list three Roadster options Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. Each tailored to a specific level of driving performance and aerial performance. The base Performance trim is “road ready” and for a driver and one passenger, with active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system. Thrust is “race ready” and adds four additional rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters. The top-tier Rocket model is limited to invitation-only single-seaters, and is “air ready” with full flight control and further compressed-gas capacity. The three-tier differentiation allows the automotive specification to remain more or less standard with a primary focus on on-road performance and acceleration, while providing increasingly specialized configurations that add aerial capabilities.

How the Three Versions Differ:

• Performance focuses on road readiness
• Thrust adds four rear thrusters
• Rocket introduces a flight system
• Two-seat and single-seat configurations
• Different deposits apply to variants

These three different trims also have very different reservation requirements. The $50,000 Reservation for the Performance requires an up-front $5,000 deposit by credit card to hold that slot, with the rest of the money due in 10 days. The $250,000 reserve for the Thrust will be a sizable down payment to place that order. Tesla also offers the Rocket as an invitation-only model rather than a Standard configuration. The differences pay witness to the layered hardware and capabilities of the lineup, from a two-seater that uses suction and active aerodynamics to one seat with 16 engines and an entire flight system. The reservation site includes details of Tesla’s proposed configurations and performance to date on the way toward a 2028 launch.

4. Performance Trim Uses Suction Fans to Generate Extreme Grip

Tesla’s entry-level Roadster trim aims to provide incredible grip via a network of electric fans and active aerodynamics. Four high-speed electric fans located underneath the rear bumper suck air in when switched on. An aero fence flicks out from beneath the car and surrounds the battery pack, pulling air into its ducting to create negative pressure on the underside of the car essentially suck the car to the surface rather than drive it to it with grip from the tires and air pressure from the front. Tesla claims that the system can hold the car to the surface even when it is not moving, or being driven upside down. The Performance trim takes that system and adds active aerodynamics and a dual-seater configuration.

Performance Model’s Key Specifications:

• Four electric suction fans underneath
• Lowering aero fences surround battery
• Negative pressure increases surface grip
• Under 1.6-second zero-to-60 acceleration
• Top speed exceeds 210 mph

The published performance figures on the Performance model put it pretty clearly in ultra-exotic electric-supercar territory Tesla is shooting for sub-1.6-second zero-to-60 mph acceleration and more than 210 mph top speed. Central to that package is Tesla’s exotic in-house technology, which is designed to extend the car’s contact patch beyond that of today’s top-tier sportscar hardware. That setup also incorporates active aerodynamics, which allow the Tesla’s body and underbody pieces to interact versioned as “road-ready” in contrast to the more focused Thrust and Rocket trims. A $50,000 reservation will have to be paid as the full reservation deposit in the future (probably early 2024), $5,000 of which is refundable for now via credit card, and the balance is required via the usual wire transfer within 10 days.

5. Thrust Trim Adds Cold-Gas Thrusters and Targets 383 MPH

The Roadster Thrust model builds on the Performance version by adding four rear-facing cold-gas thrusters. Tesla calls it “race ready,” and the two other systems-suction fans and active aerodynamic elements-are also the same as the entry-level model. These additional thrusters use super-cooled pressurized nitrogen gas to provide short bursts of acceleration, a little something extra. This system has a large amount of a gas-storage system behind the front seats in the rear cargo area. Tesla refers to it as a composite overwrapped pressure vessel, or COPV, that’s described as a squat, near-globe-shaped cylinder that can contain as much as 200 liters of compressed nitrogen gas with a pressure of 10,000 psi.

Thrust Model’s Extreme Performance Targets:

• Four rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters
• Super-chilled nitrogen delivers acceleration bursts
• COPV stores compressed nitrogen gas
• Under one-second zero-to-60 target
• Approximately 383 mph top speed

Tesla’s advertised targets for the Thrust model are even more extreme than those of the Performance trim. The company aims for acceleration from zero to 60 mph in under one second, while its stated top-speed target is approximately 383 mph, around half the speed of sound. These figures remain targets associated with the proposed vehicle rather than confirmed production results. The COPV provides the compressed nitrogen supply required by the rear thrusters, while the existing suction and aerodynamic systems remain part of the package. Reserving the Thrust model requires a $250,000 deposit, substantially more than the $50,000 total deposit specified for the Performance version. The variant is positioned between the road-focused configuration and the more specialized Rocket model.

6. Rocket Variant Features a Single Seat and Ten Thrusters

The Rocket trim sits at the top of Tesla’s proposed Roadster lineup and is designed around the most ambitious aerial capabilities. Described as “air ready,” it is an invite-only, single-seat configuration equipped with a full flight system. Removing the passenger seat creates space for a second composite overwrapped pressure vessel, increasing the onboard gas capacity to 600 liters. Tesla’s proposed arrangement packs pressure vessels into available spaces throughout the vehicle to supply a network of 10 cold-gas thrusters. Unlike the Performance and Thrust versions, which retain two seats, the Rocket prioritizes the equipment required for lift and directional control. Its configuration is intended to support jumps from the ground and more complex mid-air maneuvers.

Rocket Model’s Flight-System Features:

• Single-seat, invite-only configuration
• Two COPVs increase gas capacity
• Total onboard capacity reaches 600 liters
• Ten thrusters distributed around chassis
• Full flight system for aerial maneuvers

The Rocket’s thruster layout divides propulsion and control between different parts of the vehicle. Four rear thrusters provide forward propulsion, while four downward-pointing thrusters positioned behind each wheel are intended to generate vertical lift. Two additional thrusters near the nose manage directional yaw control. Together, these components are designed to produce bursts of thrust that can lift the car off the ground and support mid-air barrel rolls over stationary vehicles. Tesla Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy explained that the air-tank system recharges automatically. The company also describes the use of Optimus robot ankle actuators to operate the high-pressure release valves. These details outline the Rocket trim’s specialized engineering approach, although the vehicle remains part of Tesla’s planned next-generation Roadster program.

7. Revised Battery Platform and Powerful Dual-Motor Electric Drive

Beneath its redesigned exterior, the Roadster uses an entirely revised skateboard-style platform. Its structural battery pack sits flat between the wheels and incorporates Tesla’s proprietary 4680 cylindrical lithium-ion cells, updated chemistry, advanced cooling architecture, and a protective titanium cover. Tesla has not disclosed the exact battery capacity, although executives confirmed that it is substantially larger than 100 kWh. The company also targets charging from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 10 to 12 minutes and an estimated driving range exceeding 300 miles across all three trims. These proposed specifications combine a large battery system with a platform intended to support the Roadster’s performance ambitions while accommodating the additional technology used in the different configurations.

Battery and Electric Powertrain Details:

• Structural battery pack between wheels
• Proprietary 4680 cylindrical lithium-ion cells
• Battery capacity substantially exceeds 100 kWh
• Target charging time of 10-12 minutes
• Estimated range exceeds 300 miles

The powertrain draws on technology derived from the Model S Plaid but adapts it into a lighter, more power-dense package. Rather than using a tri-motor arrangement, the Roadster employs two electric motors positioned at the rear axle. Tesla claims this drive unit is 30 percent lighter and 50 percent more powerful than the Plaid system. Its stated output reaches one megawatt, approximately equivalent to 1,500 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Tesla targets a curb weight of 1,700 kilograms, or 3,748 pounds, giving the vehicle a claimed power-to-weight ratio below 2.5 pounds per horsepower. Together, the battery and powertrain figures illustrate the company’s focus on combining rapid acceleration, substantial range, and high power density.

8. Digital Controls and Active Aerodynamics Shape Roadster Handling

The redesigned Roadster uses fully digital by-wire controls for steering, braking, and throttle operation. Its carbon-ceramic brakes can be actuated individually at each corner, working with software algorithms for Sport, Track, and Drift driving modes. Every model also features height-adjustable spool-valve dampers and integrated front and rear axle lifts. During track driving, the suspension can lower the car by as much as 1.6 inches while increasing spring stiffness threefold to support greater aerodynamic downforce. These systems are intended to let the Roadster adjust its behavior according to driving conditions. Alongside the suction technology, the suspension, brakes, and electronic controls form a broad package focused on handling and performance.

Technologies Designed for Driving Control:

• Digital steering, braking, and throttle
• Individually actuated carbon-ceramic brakes
• Sport, Track, and Drift modes
• Adjustable dampers and axle lifts
• Suspension lowers by 1.6 inches

The active aerodynamic package includes several components that move or change position to manage airflow. A tilting panel at the base of the windshield opens to form a hood vent, directing incoming air to create downforce. Hidden wings inside the front nose can rise or lower to channel air toward the carbon-ceramic brakes. At the rear, tilting barge boards help relieve pressure from the front wheel wells. An eight-inch active rear wing emerges from the bodywork and can pivot up to 90 degrees during heavy braking, functioning as an airbrake. The wing also has a practical role deploying it is required to access the carbon-fiber charge-port door. Together, these features combine braking support, airflow management, and adjustable aerodynamic behavior.

9. Angular Exterior Styling and a Driver-Focused Cockpit

The redesigned Roadster adopts a clean, angular wedge profile that departs from the softer curves of the 2017 concept. Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen described it as “a prototype with production intent.” Its design draws inspiration from military aircraft, including the SR-71 reconnaissance plane and F-35 fighter jet, as well as the white 1976 Lotus Esprit S1 featured in James Bond’s The Spy Who Loved Me. The exterior uses smooth, minimalist surfaces, concealed headlights behind drop-down panels, and a continuous crease stretching from the front light bar toward a broad rear section. Butterfly doors provide access to the cabin, while removable glass roof panels allow the car to adopt a T-top configuration with a fixed center roof spine.

Exterior and Interior Design Highlights:

• Angular wedge-shaped exterior profile
• SR-71 and F-35 design inspiration
• Concealed headlights behind drop-down panels
• Upward-opening dual-hinge butterfly doors
• Removable glass panels enable T-top

Inside, the Roadster prioritizes the driver and attempts to minimize unnecessary weight. Race-inspired pedals mounted on the floor slide manually to accommodate the driver’s reach, while fixed-base seats use manual piston-assisted recline. The angular steering yoke combines suede and leather with metallic accents, and its shift paddles operate turn signals and boost activation. A single primary display is tilted toward the driver, supported by a Mars-red information bar along the base of the windshield that cycles through speed, range, and operating temperatures. Additional convenience features include inductive smartphone charging, a concealed fold-down cupholder behind the driver’s elbow, and a dedicated glovebox for documentation. Although cameras surround the vehicle, Tesla intends to limit Full Self-Driving software functionality to maintain its driver-focused character.

10. Production Delays, Safety Questions, and Tesla’s 2028 Target

The second-generation Roadster has been a long-running Tesla project since its surprise concept reveal in 2017. Initially promised for release in 2020, it experienced repeated postponements as Tesla dealt with Model 3 production challenges and prioritized higher-volume vehicles such as the Model Y and Cybertruck. The expected timeline shifted through 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, frustrating commentators and early reservation holders. Following the redesigned prototype’s unveiling, technology reviewer Marques Brownlee questioned the claims about aerial flips, a top speed exceeding 380 mph, and the vehicle’s eventual delivery timeline. His reaction reflected broader skepticism about whether the ambitious specifications can reach production as described. Tesla currently targets 2028 for the start of production.

Questions Surrounding the Roadster’s Future:

• Project began with 2017 concept
• Initial release targeted for 2020
• Multiple postponements frustrated reservation holders
• Aerial capability claims invite skepticism
• Production target remains 2028

Musk has positioned the Roadster as a halo car intended to demonstrate engineering breakthroughs rather than generate massive corporate profits. He previously acknowledged that it might not significantly affect Tesla’s revenue. He has also openly discussed the vehicle’s extreme performance and safety trade-offs, saying that buyers who prioritize safety above everything else should not choose the Roadster, while adding that Tesla would aspire not to kill anyone in it. Musk praised the close collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers, describing the result as something beyond what audiences had seen in movies and comparing its appeal with a James Bond car. The redesigned Roadster combines a powerful electric drive system, advanced aerodynamics, and proposed rocket-style propulsion. Whether all its advertised capabilities reach production remains to be seen as Tesla works toward its 2028 target.