Tesla unveils next-generation Roadster, production planned for 2028
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) unveiled the next generation of its Roadster electric sports car on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at an event near Waco, Texas. According to Reuters, chief executive Elon Musk spoke at a SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas, and the company said production would start in 2028.
What Tesla showed
Tesla presented three versions of the car, according to TechCrunch:
- Performance, described as "road ready", with two seats, active aerodynamics and a suction system
- Thrust, described as "race ready", with two seats and rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters
- Rocket, described as "air ready", with one seat and 10 cold-gas thrusters
According to the company, the versions have a top speed of more than 230 mph (about 370 km/h), and TechCrunch reported a listed range of 300 miles (about 480 km). Musk said certain versions can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than one second. These are company claims and have not been independently tested.
The thrusters were developed in collaboration with SpaceX, the space company also led by Musk, Reuters reported. During the event, the car drove on an inverted ramp using its suction system and used its thrusters to turn in the air and land. Reuters noted that it was not immediately clear how these features could be used or whether they would be permitted on public roads.
Reservations and price
Reservations opened on Tesla's website on October 15. According to Reuters, the reservation page showed a $50,000 deposit for the Performance version and a $250,000 deposit for the Thrust version, while the Rocket version was listed as "invite only". Tesla did not announce a target price for the car.
A long road to production
Tesla's original Roadster, released in 2008 and sold until 2012, was the company's first electric vehicle. Tesla first showed a prototype of the second-generation Roadster in 2017, when it said deliveries would begin in 2020 and quoted a base price of $200,000, according to Reuters. The timeline was moved several times before this week's event.
Why the Roadster matters for Tesla
The Roadster is expected to be a small part of Tesla's business. Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein said in a note last month that the Roadster "will be Tesla's new halo car", a model meant to attract attention to the brand, and that he expects Tesla to sell about 2,000 Roadsters a year, Reuters reported. Tesla sold 1.6 million vehicles last year. Musk has also said the car may not significantly change Tesla's revenue.
The launch comes as Tesla changes its product range. According to Reuters, Tesla stopped selling the Model S and Model X this year to make room for production of its Optimus humanoid robot. The company has also launched the Cybercab, a two-seat robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals, which started offering paid public rides in Austin, Texas, in September 2026.
What to watch
Key items for the coming months include the final price and specifications of the Roadster, regulatory approval of its features, progress towards production in 2028, and Tesla's next quarterly results, which include updates on deliveries and new products.
Risks and uncertainties
New vehicle programmes can face delays, cost changes and regulatory requirements. Performance figures announced at product events are company claims and may change before production. Tesla shares can be volatile.
What this means for investors
For Investing.one users following TSLA, the Roadster launch and Tesla's wider product plans may be relevant. The information above is based on company statements and published reports.
Sources
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