2028 Tesla Roadster: Bold Claims, Still a Prototype
Pros and Cons
Pros include potentially world-beating acceleration, a look described as a Model 3 wearing a supercar suit, and rocket boosters. Cons include Tesla’s quality record, a probably extremely expensive price, and, again, rocket boosters.
Overview
The Roadster is credited with launching Tesla’s success. The original, based on the Lotus Elise, went on sale for the 2008 model year with 220 miles of range and a near-4.0-second 0-60 mph time. By today’s standards that is unimpressive, but it remains a key part of Tesla’s story, and a redesigned Roadster is now set to return.
The Flying Demonstration
At an October 15 demonstration, the Roadster climbed a curved wall until it was several stories up and upside down, left the ramp, righted itself in midair, and landed. It later hovered over a line of Teslas and flipped upside down. Tesla says the Rocket version uses 10 cold-gas thrusters: four at the rear, four pointing down for lift, and two at the nose for directional control. The stunts were remarkable, but the car is still a prototype, and Tesla has not explained how the flight-like abilities would work in a production vehicle.
Powertrain and Versions
The base Roadster is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive car with two rear motors and a battery made from Tesla’s 4680 cells. Tesla claims the motors make over 1,500 hp but has not announced battery capacity. The Performance version adds four electric fans under the rear that create suction and downforce, plus active aerodynamics. The Thrust adds four rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters, while the single-seat Rocket adds six more for lift and directional control. The thrusters release highly pressurized gas, mainly nitrogen, from onboard tanks.
Performance Claims
Tesla claims the Performance can reach 60 mph in about 1.6 seconds and exceed 210 mph. For the Thrust, it claims under 0.9 second to 60 mph and a top speed above 230 mph. The company also says it targets about 330 mph, without specifying which version. At the reveal, the Thrust was shown reaching 60 mph in 0.81 second, but test conditions and timing methods were not provided. These are extraordinary claims that will need instrumented testing of a production car to verify.
Range
Tesla has not announced range for the new Roadster. It previously claimed 620 miles for the second-generation car but has not confirmed whether that applies here. If it did, it would vastly exceed any electric car on sale today, though that figure remains unverified.
Timing
Elon Musk unveiled a new Roadster in 2017, promising hypercar-beating acceleration and exceptional range, with an original production target of the 2020 model year that passed. In 2021 he said engineering would finish that year with production the next, which also passed. Tesla now says the redesigned Roadster will enter production in 2028, but the car shown is still a prototype.
Pricing
Tesla has not announced pricing. It previously listed $200,000 for the earlier version and $250,000 for its limited Founders Series, but hasn’t said whether those apply now. MotorTrend expects the base model to cost more than $250,000, with pricing for the Performance, Thrust, and Rocket unknown. Reservations require a $50,000 deposit, with $5,000 due immediately and $45,000 within 10 days, which Tesla says is refundable.