In a futuristic live demonstration at SpaceX McGregor, Texas test site Thursday night, Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster, nearly nine years since its initial 2017 prototype reveal. Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the electric supercar utilizes cold-gas thrusters and advanced aerodynamics to achieve unprecedented performance metrics, including a demonstrated 0-60 miles per hour(mph) time in 0.81 seconds and the ability to perform mid-air flips and vertical ramp climbs.
The Roadster features SpaceX-inspired propulsion system which has tri-motor electric drive and 4 SpaceX cold-gas rear thrusters, and uses compressed air stored in ultra-high-pressure tanks rather than chemical propellants. The vehicle employs a fan-based multi-mode suction system capable of generating up to 2G active aero downforce to maximize ground grip, allowing it to drive upside down on vertical surfaces.
The supercar automatically adjusts ground clearance and underbody airflow to glue the chassis to the track regardless of speed. Traditional tires struggle with mechanical grip under instant electrical and rocket torque.
For aerial maneuvers, the car utilizes attitude-control and main thrusters to execute rolls and controlled landings. During the live demonstration the supercar successfully drove up a multi-story ramp, flipped in mid-air, and landed on its wheels, while also achieving the 0.81-second acceleration benchmark in a live test.
"When we started redesigning the Roadster, we didn't just want to build an incremental improvement over the original concept," Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen said during the live demonstration. "We wanted to delete the boundary between aerospace engineering and automotive design. Working directly with the SpaceX team allowed us to integrate hardware that has never existed on a street-legal vehicle before."
CEO Elon Musk said: "There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car. We radically increased the design goals... Combining Tesla electric powertrain technology with SpaceX rocket thrusters creates a vehicle that defies conventional physics. Achieving 0 to 60 in 0.81 seconds is incredible, but the maneuverability and active flight-assist capabilities are what really make this a true science fiction machine on the road."
Tesla Roadster will come in the following configurations and specifications.
A Performance mode with two-seater designed for road use, featuring active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system. It claims a 0-60 mph time of under 1.6 seconds and is available by reservation with a $50,000 deposit.
The Thrust mode is a two-seater race-ready variant that adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters to boost acceleration. It achieves 0-60 mph in under 0.9 seconds (demonstrated at 0.81s) and is offered as a limited release with a $250,000 deposit.
The third mode is Rocket, a single-seater "air-ready" configuration featuring perimeter-mounted thrusters for upward and rotational movement, enabling flight capabilities. It claims a 0-60 mph time of under 0.59 seconds, a top speed exceeding 230 mph, and a range of over 300 miles. Access is strictly "invite only," and it is not approved for public road use.
The next-generation Roadster prototype was initially revealed in late 2017 with base specs promising a 0–60 mph time of 1.9 seconds, a 200 kWh battery pack, and a 620-mile range.
Musk teased a "SpaceX package" featuring 10 small cold-gas thrusters, initially targeting a ~1.1-second 0–60 time. The project underwent multiple redesign cycles to integrate new powertrain components, advanced battery cell technologies, and specialized high-pressure air systems. The refined design moves from prototype concept to production engineering with 2028 release date.
