Tesla Unveils Production-Intent Roadster As Elon Musk Targets 2028 Manufacturing Start
Tesla showcased a production-intent Roadster in Texas, targeting a 2028 manufacturing start. Developed with SpaceX, the sports car features cold-gas air thrusters enabling 0-60 mph acceleration in 0.81 seconds and vertical manoeuvres. Specifications highlight a 200 kWh battery, 620-mile range, and a top speed over 250 mph.
Tesla has unveiled a heavily updated, production-intent version of its next-generation Roadster, with Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk confirming plans to begin manufacturing the high-performance electric sports car in 2028. The announcement came during a demonstration in Texas, where Tesla showcased the all-wheel-drive super-car featuring compressed-air thruster technology developed alongside SpaceX. The reveal addresses years of delays following the vehicle's initial concept debut.
Performance Claims and SpaceX Thruster System
The updated Roadster incorporates a cold-gas thruster package engineered in collaboration with SpaceX. According to Tesla, the air-assisted thruster system allows the vehicle to achieve a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of less than one second, with cited performance figures reaching 0.81 seconds. Elon Musk Reveals Reason Why Tesla Roadster Demonstration Was Delayed; Know What He Said.
Elon Musk's Tesla Unveils Roadster
In addition to rapid straight-line acceleration, Tesla demonstrated short air-assisted vertical-lift manoeuvres using the thruster assembly. Official specifications provided by Tesla highlight a 200 kWh battery pack, an estimated range of up to 620 miles, a top speed exceeding 250 mph, and 10,000 Nm of wheel torque.
Production Timeline and Development Context
First revealed as a prototype in late 2017 with an original release target of 2020, the second-generation Roadster faced multiple production postponements as Tesla prioritised high-volume passenger vehicles, battery scaling, and autonomous driving technology. Elon Musk in Talks with TSMC to Build Massive Terafab Facility for Tesla and xAI: Report.
Addressing the revised timeline, Musk stated that production is now scheduled for 2028. Reservations for the four-seater glass-roof sports car remain open on Tesla's official website, though global delivery schedules and final pricing details for production models have yet to be finalised.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2026 07:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).