Tesla shows off redesigned Roadster with stunts, cold-gas thrusters, and upside-down driving

Tesla unveiled a redesigned version of its next-generation Roadster near Waco, Texas, staging stunts that included driving upside down, leaping into the air, and accelerating from zero to 60 mph in under one second. CEO Elon Musk stated the hypercar will enter production in 2028, with all three planned trims offering 300 miles of range and top speeds exceeding 230 mph. [1][2][3][5]

The vehicle relies on a multi-mode fan suction system to generate downforce on inverted surfaces, alongside cold-gas thrusters developed with SpaceX. According to engineering VP Lars Moravy, the aerial maneuvers use 10 thrusters drawing from 600 liters of compressed air stored in rechargeable carbon-fiber pressure vessels. The lineup ranges from the two-seat Performance and Thrust trims to the single-seat Rocket trim, which features the full 10-thruster airborne setup. [1][2][5]

Reservations require $5,000 upfront with another $45,000 due within 10 days for the base model, rising to $250,000 for the suction-equipped edition, while the hovering tier remains invite-only. The reveal arrives nearly nine years after the initial 2017 concept, as electric rivals from Rimac, Porsche, and Xiaomi have established high-performance track records in the interim. [1][2][5]