Tesla has finally unveiled its much-anticipated, redesigned second-generation Roadster. At a big event near Waco, Texas, CEO Elon Musk called it “the best of the last of the human-driven cars” and showed off its active SpaceX rocket thrusters that let it move in midair.
At the live event, the white sports car used strong fans and cold-gas thrusters to drive up an upside-down ramp, spin, and land safely. In another stunt, it lifted off the ground and glided over parked Teslas, including a Cybertruck, Cybercab, and Model Y.
Musk said Tesla now plans to start making the long-delayed supercar in 2028, but the exact price is still unknown. The car will come in three versions: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The basic Performance model is ready for the road and features active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system.
The Thrust version is built for racing and adds rear thrusters that help it go from 0 to 60 mph in less than a second. The single-seat Rocket model has 10 cold-gas thrusters placed around the car.
All three versions offer a 300-mile range and can go over 230 miles per hour. Tesla is already taking reservations, with a $50,000 deposit for the Performance model and $250,000 for the Thrust version. The Rocket edition is only available by invitation.
Engineering Vice President Lars Moravy said the system uses 10 thrusters powered by 600 liters of compressed air stored in every carbon-fiber space inside the car’s frame.
However, many in the tech and car communities are already questioning whether these bold features are safe and if the timeline is realistic.