Elon Musk confirmed that the next-generation Tesla Roadster is expected to be the company's final model designed for human operation. This shift follows Tesla's broader strategic pivot toward autonomous driving and robotics technology.
Production of the vehicle is now scheduled to commence in 2028. Musk emphasized the timeline, stating that the project is now moving forward in earnest, despite the long wait for customers who placed initial deposits nearly a decade ago.
The vehicle lineup includes several variants with varying reservation requirements. In the US, the Performance model requires a deposit of $50,000, while the Thrust version requires $250,000. A more extreme Rocket variant is available by invitation only.
In the Chinese market, customers can reserve the Performance model for ¥332,000. Tesla notes that the legal status of the vehicle on public roads remains subject to regional regulations and specific traffic conditions at the time of launch.
Technical specifications for the variants indicate significant performance capabilities. The Performance model features two seats and active aerodynamics. Acceleration times to 97 km/h are estimated at under 1.6 seconds for Performance, under 0.9 seconds for Propulsion, and under 0.59 seconds for the Rocket variant, which reaches speeds exceeding 370 km/h.
