Tesla Roadster 2026: three versions, 0-100 km/h in under a second and a $50,000 deposit
Tesla unveiled the new Roadster on October 15: Performance, Thrust and Rocket, cold-gas thrusters and 0-100 km/h in about 0.6 seconds. What was promised in 2017 and what arrived.
On October 15 in Texas, Tesla unveiled the new Tesla Roadster. The car first promised in 2017 arrived nine years later in three versions, with cold-gas thrusters and fans that pull air from under the body. No price has been announced yet.
Three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket
Version | Seats | 0-100 km/h | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
Performance | 2 | ≈ 1.6 s | Public roads, by reservation |
Thrust | 2 | ≈ 1 s | Track, rear cold-gas thrusters, limited numbers |
Rocket | 1 | ≈ 0.6 s | Invitation only, not approved for public roads |
Tesla quotes 0-60 mph times, which is 97 km/h, so 0-100 km/h takes slightly longer and the figures above are approximate. The Rocket's top speed is over 370 km/h.
How the cold gas and the suction work
On the Thrust and Rocket, compressed gas is stored in carbon-fibre overwrapped tanks. Tesla says the thrusters produce four to five times the force the tyres can handle. On the Rocket the thrusters sit around the whole perimeter and also lift and rotate the car.
All three versions have fans under the body that pull air out and press the car onto the tarmac. Tesla says this could hold the car upside down, and in Track Mode the body lowers and active wings deploy.
Design and interior
The styling follows the Cybertruck: hidden headlights, a full-width rear light bar and flat aerodynamic surfaces. The body uses magnesium, titanium and carbon fibre.
Inside there is a steer-by-wire yoke instead of a wheel, one central touchscreen and two small displays in front of the driver.
The 2017 promise and the 2026 reality
2017 promise | 2026 unveiling | |
|---|---|---|
Range | 1,000 km | over 480 km |
Top speed | over 400 km/h | over 370 km/h (Rocket) |
Seats | 4 (2+2) | 2, Rocket 1 |
0-100 km/h | ≈ 1.9 s | ≈ 1.6 s (Performance) |
Acceleration beat the promise, while range and seats went down.
Price, deposit and production
No price was given for any version. A reservation takes a refundable 5,000 dollars now and another 45,000 within 10 days, 50,000 dollars in total, exactly what Tesla asked in 2017. On production, Elon Musk only said it would be 2028.
Customs in Georgia
Under the Georgian Tax Code, a left-hand-drive electric car pays 0 GEL excise and a right-hand-drive one a flat 3,000 GEL. An American Roadster will be left-hand drive, so under today's rules only the fees apply, about 480 GEL. You can work out the exact amount with the customs calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the new Tesla Roadster cost?
The price has not been announced. Only the deposit is known: 50,000 dollars.
When does production start?
According to Elon Musk, in 2028.
How far does it go on one charge?
Tesla quotes over 480 km, instead of the 1,000 km promised in 2017.
Photo: Tesla
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