Tesla has unveiled its highly anticipated second-generation Roadster, now equipped with SpaceX-developed thrusters, marking a bold step in automotive innovation. The vehicle, demonstrated at a Texas event, showcased remarkable capabilities including using thrusters and high-powered fans to perform complex maneuvers such as leaping over a lineup of Tesla models including the Cybercab, Cybertruck, Semi, Model Y, and Model 3. CEO Elon Musk described the Roadster as representing the pinnacle of human-driven cars, emphasizing that it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just one second.

The Roadster will be available in three distinct trims: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Performance model is designed for road use, seats two, and integrates advanced aerodynamics and a unique multi-mode suction system to enhance performance both on the street and the track. The Thrust trim, also a two-seater, adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters that enable sub-one-second acceleration from 0 to 60 mph, positioning it as race-ready. The Rocket trim, which is limited to a single seat and available by invitation only, features ten strategically placed cold-gas thrusters for aerial capabilities. All versions promise over 300 miles of range and can exceed speeds of 230 mph.

Engineering details reveal that the Roadster’s airlifting and maneuvering capabilities rely on ten thrusters connected to a 600-liter compressed air system. Tesla employs Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels throughout the car’s voids to store this compressed air, a technology that shares lineage with SpaceX’s rocket components. Although safety is not the primary focus for this model, Musk stressed the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX engineers to create a vehicle with extraordinary abilities unlike anything previously seen in automotive design.

The Roadster’s launch follows a series of delays since its initial 2017 reveal, with production now slated to start in 2028 but no official pricing yet announced. Reservations are currently open, with the entry-level Performance trim requiring a $50,000 deposit and the Thrust trim a substantial $250,000 reservation fee, while the Rocket trim remains exclusive. Musk suggested this car serves as a halo model that may not significantly impact Tesla’s revenue but highlights the company’s ambition to push the limits of automotive and aerospace technology integration.