Tesla has unveiled technical details for the new Roadster, which will feature a dual-motor rear-wheel-drive system rather than all-wheel drive. The powertrain delivers over 1 megawatt of power and 1400 Nm of torque. The vehicle is designed with a target weight of under 1700 kg, utilizing a custom 4680 battery pack with an aluminum casing and titanium cover.
The Roadster will be available in three versions: Performance, Thrust, and the top-tier Rocket. The Rocket model replaces the passenger seat with a 400-liter high-pressure nitrogen tank, enabling a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 0.55 seconds and limited flight capability. The Thrust version uses a 200-liter tank to achieve 0.85 seconds.
The vehicle incorporates an active ground-effect system using four 20-kilowatt fans to increase downforce at lower speeds. For high-speed stability, the car features movable aerodynamic panels, including spoilers and flaps, with rear wing actuators derived from Tesla's Optimus robot technology.
The cold gas thruster system, developed with SpaceX, uses non-flammable nitrogen stored at pressures up to 689 bar. While the current refill time for the 600-liter tank system is 6 to 7 hours, Tesla is working on a fast-refill solution aiming for 30 minutes. The battery supports 800-1000 volt architecture with a 15-80% charge target of 10 minutes.
The interior focuses on the driver with fixed seats, adjustable pedals, and a steer-by-wire system. Tesla currently has four to five prototypes in development and plans to build a larger test fleet by early next year. Pricing for the new Roadster has not yet been announced.
