Tesla has finally unveiled the second-generation Roadster, a sports car equipped with cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX. At an event near Waco, Texas, on October 15, 2026, CEO Elon Musk showed the car lifting itself over a Cybercab, Cybertruck, Tesla Semi, Model Y, and Model 3 using a mix of high-powered fans and thrusters.
Musk called it “the best of the last of the human-driven cars” and said production will begin in 2028. No price was announced, but Tesla is already taking reservations on its website.
Roadster 2 specs and thrusters
The new Roadster will come in three trims. The Performance version is road-ready with two seats, active aerodynamics, and a multi-mode suction system. The Thrust trim adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for sub-one-second 0-to-60 mph acceleration, while the Rocket trim is air-ready with a single seat and 10 cold-gas thrusters placed around the car.
According to Tesla engineering VP Lars Moravy, the thrusters are connected to 600 liters of compressed air, which can be recharged. The company says every usable void in the car is packed with Carbon Fiber Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs). All trims will offer 300 miles of range and speeds exceeding 230 mph, though Musk said he hopes to reach around 385 mph.
- Performance trim: two seats, road-ready, no thrusters
- Thrust trim: two seats, race-ready, rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters, sub-1-second 0-60 mph
- Rocket trim: one seat, air-ready, 10 cold-gas thrusters, invite-only
- All trims: 300 miles of range, top speed over 230 mph
