Tesla reveals SpaceX-powered Roadster with thrusters; production set for 2028
Elon Musk demonstrated a second-generation Roadster equipped with cold-gas thrusters that can lift, spin, and land the vehicle, with reservations opening at $50,000 to $250,000.
What happened
Tesla unveiled a redesigned second-generation Roadster at an event near Waco, Texas, featuring 10 cold-gas thrusters powered by 600 liters of compressed air. The demonstration showed the car accelerating 0-60 mph in one second, driving up an inverted ramp, spinning in midair, and landing on pavement. Musk stated the vehicle will enter production in 2028 and be available in three trims: Performance ($50,000 reservation), Thrust ($250,000 reservation), and Rocket (invite-only). All versions will have 300 miles of range and exceed 230 mph top speed. Tesla's website is accepting reservations. The car uses Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) in "every usable void," the same technology that has been involved in multiple SpaceX rocket explosions.
Context
The second-generation Roadster was first revealed in 2017 and was supposed to ship within years, but has faced repeated delays in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Musk first mentioned adding thrusters in 2018, writing on Twitter that year that "SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly." This latest reveal, nearly nine years after the initial 2017 announcement, represents the culmination of a project that was repeatedly deprioritized as Tesla focused on the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and other initiatives. Musk has described the Roadster as a halo car unlikely to significantly impact Tesla's revenue, and has stated that safety is not the primary goal of the vehicle—distinguishing it from typical automotive design philosophy. The repeated delays have prompted public criticism from high-profile customers including YouTuber Marques Brownlee and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
What's disputed
Musk claimed this will be "the actual car that's on the roads" and described it as the "best of the last of the human-driven cars," but the feasibility of mass-producing a vehicle with thrusters, pressure vessels, and the demonstrated aerial capabilities has not been independently verified. The car's real-world safety and regulatory approval status remain unclear. Musk also speculated about jumping the Snake River Canyon, which appears to be aspirational rather than committed.