Tesla unveils next‑gen Roadster prototype

Tesla has unveiled a next-generation Roadster electric sports car after almost 10 years of missed deadlines. The company presented the vehicle as a high-performance model, marking the latest attempt to bring a new version of its early halo car closer to market. The Roadster’s debut centers on new propulsion features that distinguish it from conventional electric sports cars.

The unveiling focused on a prototype rather than a production-ready model. Tesla positioned the Roadster as a low-volume showcase vehicle that extends the company’s technology portfolio rather than a product slated for near-term mass production.

A key feature of the new Roadster prototype is the use of SpaceX (SPCX) thruster technology. Tesla described a system of thrusters that can generate brief bursts of force, allowing the vehicle to hover momentarily. Demonstrations highlighted how this system can propel the car into short airborne sequences.

The company also showcased aerial maneuvers described as kick flips, in which the Roadster used its thrusters to perform controlled movements while off the ground. This approach adapts aerospace-derived cold-gas propulsion concepts to an automotive platform, underscoring the collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX on the project.

These thruster-assisted capabilities are presented as part of an optional package rather than a standard feature set, framing the Roadster more as a technological demonstrator than a conventional road car. The demonstrations emphasized the novelty of combining electric drive with auxiliary thrust for short-duration aerial effects.

During the presentation, Tesla stated that the next-generation Roadster is not expected to enter production until 2028. The company did not provide details on planned production volumes or specific manufacturing sites. The long lead time reinforces that the vehicle remains in the development phase.

No retail price was disclosed for the Roadster at the unveiling. Tesla did not share information about order books, reservation programs, or configuration options, leaving commercial details open. The focus instead remained on the engineering concept and performance demonstrations.

Tesla framed the Roadster as a low-volume, high-performance model within its broader lineup of electric vehicles. The car’s advanced propulsion features and collaboration with SpaceX set it apart from the company’s mainstream offerings aimed at higher-volume segments.

By emphasizing unique capabilities such as hovering and aerial tricks, Tesla is positioning the Roadster as a flagship technology platform. The prototype underlines how cross-company engineering can be used to explore new performance boundaries for electric vehicles, even as commercial availability remains several years away.