Tesla demonstrated a flying version of its Roadster at the SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas. The vehicle utilizes a suction system and thrusters derived from SpaceX technology to achieve flight. The system includes two tanks containing 250 kilograms of air to power 10 nozzles, with the car capable of refilling these tanks independently.
Performance specifications for the Roadster include a top speed exceeding 230 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds. Elon Musk noted that the vehicle is not optimized for safety and may face regulatory challenges in various jurisdictions. The design incorporates elements from the SR-71 spy plane and the F-35 fighter jet.
Reservations for the base model require an initial refundable deposit of $5,000, followed by a payment of $45,000 within 10 days. The Thrust version, which features acceleration thrusters but lacks flight capabilities, requires an upfront payment of $250,000. Tesla has limited the Thrust model to one order per customer and has not yet announced final pricing.
Production of the Roadster is scheduled to begin in 2028. Musk identified the Roadster as the final manually driven vehicle the company intends to produce. Market analysts suggest that Tesla's valuation remains more heavily influenced by its robotaxi initiatives and Optimus robots rather than the Roadster project.
