Author: Radomskyi Maksym VasyliovychTesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster on October 15, 2026, at the SpaceX test site in McGregor (Texas, near Waco). It is a two-seat electric sports car in three versions — Performance, Thrust, and Rocket; according to Tesla, range is over 300 miles (≈480 km), top speed is over 230 mph (≈370 km/h), and 0–60 mph acceleration is under a second. Elon Musk promised to start production in 2028; the price was not announced.
Contents
- What Tesla showed on October 15
- Which Roadster versions were announced
- What specifications were claimed
- How the 2026 Roadster differs from the 2017 promises
- When production will start and how much the reservation costs
- What is still unknown
- What to add to a Tesla you can buy right now
What Tesla showed on October 15
The presentation was originally scheduled for October 1, but on September 28 Tesla canceled it: the company explained that it had been monitoring the weather together with local forecasters, and the show could only be held outdoors. The new date was October 15; the broadcast started at 19:55 local time.
The main part was a demonstration. According to Reuters, TechCrunch, and Yahoo Finance, the car:
- drove onto a curved ramp and went up it upside down, staying in place thanks to a suction system under the floor;
- launched off the ramp, flipped in the air, and landed on the asphalt using gas thruster engines;
- while moving, jumped over a line of Tesla vehicles — Cybercab, Cybertruck, the Semi tractor, Model Y, and Model 3.
The body was shown in white and noticeably sharper than the 2017 concept. According to Tesla, the inspiration was the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft and the F-35 fighter. Musk called the new model “the best of the last human-driven cars.”
Which Roadster versions were announced
| Version | Seats | What is claimed | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | “road-ready”: active aerodynamics, multi-mode suction system | $50,000 |
| Thrust | 2 | “track-ready”: rear gas thrusters for acceleration | $250,000 |
| Rocket | 1 | “flight-ready”: 10 gas thrusters around the body, a “full flight system” | by invitation only, price not stated |
The reservation amounts are given based on the reservation page on Tesla’s website, as described by Reuters and TechCrunch. The publications describe the payment order differently: Electrek writes about $5,000 upfront and $45,000 within 10 days for the Performance version, while InsideEVs mentions $50,000 within 10 days.
What specifications were claimed
The numbers at the presentation were voiced by Tesla’s head of engineering Lars Moravy (per Reuters) and a timer was shown on the screen:
- Range — over 300 miles, that is about 480 km (the same for all three versions, per TechCrunch).
- Top speed — over 230 mph, about 370 km/h.
- 0–60 mph acceleration (0–97 km/h) — under a second; Tesla’s timer showed 0.81 s. There is no independent measurement.
- Thrusters — per TechCrunch, 10 engines powered by 600 liters of compressed air; according to Tesla, the air supply can be replenished. Cylinders with carbon-fiber overwrap are placed “in every available cavity” of the body.
Tesla did not announce battery capacity, power, weight, or dimensions. On safety, Musk said outright: “safety is not the primary goal.”
How the 2026 Roadster differs from the 2017 promises
Tesla showed the first prototype of the second generation on November 16, 2017 — it rolled out of the trailer of the Semi tractor. Back then, very different figures were promised:
| Parameter | 2017 promise | Statement on 15.10.2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 mph acceleration | 1.9 s | under 1 s (timer — 0.81 s) |
| Range | ≈620 miles (≈1,000 km) | over 300 miles (≈480 km) |
| Top speed | over 250 mph | over 230 mph |
| Battery | 200 kWh | not announced |
| Seats | 2+2, removable roof panel | 2 (Rocket — 1) |
| Start of production | 2020 | 2028 |
| Price | from $200,000; Founders Series — $250,000 | not announced |
That means the claimed range became half as much, while the acceleration became twice as quick. Between these dates, production was postponed at least six times (Electrek): to 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and in November 2025 Musk mentioned 2027.
When production will start and how much the reservation costs
According to Musk, production will start in 2028. The retail price was not named at the presentation — only the reservation amounts from the table above are known. The market reacted moderately positively: the next morning Tesla shares in premarket trading rose by about 5% (Reuters). Musk himself previously said that the Roadster would not be a significant source of revenue.
What is still unknown
- Whether thrusters and “flight” functions will be legal on public roads — this was not clarified (Yahoo Finance).
- Battery capacity, motor power, weight, dimensions, and the interior.
- The retail price of each version.
- Whether the Rocket version will truly fly rather than just hop: CNN notes this still needs to be proven.
- Whether Tesla will meet the 2028 timeline — given the history of delays.
So for now, the Roadster is a demonstration of Tesla and SpaceX technologies, and a reservation for a car that will not exist at least until 2028. We covered the company’s other fresh premiere in a piece about the Tesla Cybercab robotaxi in Paris, and the brand’s boldest production model — in the Tesla Cybertruck review.
What to add to a Tesla you can buy right now
There are no accessories for the Roadster yet, but the selection for Model 3 and Model Y is wide. The most practical for everyday use is floor mats with raised edges: polyurethane or textile, for each model. In winter there is salt on the roads, so the raised edge protects the cabin flooring from stains. Window deflectors allow you to ventilate the cabin while charging and in the rain. Those who want a sportier look can add a body kit to Model 3 with a lip, diffuser, and ABS plastic side skirt covers.
Everything for these models is on the Tesla Model 3 tuning page, the Tesla Model Y tuning page, and in the overall Tesla catalog.
Illustrations for the article are generated and are not photos of the car from the presentation.
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