Tesla Roadster 2026: release date, price, range, reservations — everything we know
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- 15 Oct, 2026
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Updated 10/15/2026 at 9:30 p.m. CT, after the reveal: versions, range, top speed and production timing added. Watch the replay on @Tesla on X · our reveal recap.
Key facts
- Revealed: Thursday, October 15, 2026, at SpaceX’s test site in McGregor, Texas, near Waco.
- Price: still not announced for any version.
- Production: 2028, according to Elon Musk (“2028, actually”).
- Range: over 300 miles, according to Tesla.
- Top speed: over 230 mph.
- 0-60 mph: under 1 second with the thruster option; 0.81 s was timed during the demo.
- Seats: two (one in the Rocket version).
Three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket
- Performance (“road ready”): two seats, active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system for downforce. By reservation.
- Thrust (“race ready”): two seats, adding rear cold-gas thrusters for 0-60 mph in under 1 second. Limited release.
- Rocket (“air ready”): one seat, with thrusters all around the car. Tesla says “it can fly” but notes it is not approved for public road use and not available in all regions. Invite only.
Price and reservations
- Price: not announced. The last official price, from 2017, was $200,000 ($250,000 Founders Series).
- Performance deposit: $50,000. Electrek reports $5,000 refundable at order, then $45,000 within 10 days.
- Thrust deposit: $250,000. Rocket is invite only.
Performance and range
| 2017 promise | Announced Oct. 15, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-60 mph | 1.9 s | under 1 s with Thrust (Tesla); 0.81 s timed at the demo |
| Top speed | 250+ mph | 230+ mph; Musk is aiming for “Mach 0.5” |
| Range | about 620 miles | 300+ miles |
| Seats | 4 (2+2) | 2 (1 in Rocket) |
Battery size and power weren’t detailed. The range claim is roughly half of what Tesla promised in 2017.
SpaceX thrusters: confirmed
The Roadster was developed with SpaceX. In the demo, it drove up a ramp and stopped upside down using suction, then jumped over a row of Teslas, rolled in mid-air and landed. Tesla says ten thrusters run on about 600 liters of compressed air, stored in tanks the car can refill itself. Whether these features are legal on public roads isn’t clear.
Design and interior
The body is now angular, inspired by the SR-71 and F-35, according to Tesla. It has hidden headlights, a full-width taillight and “Ano White” paint. Inside, there’s a steer-by-wire yoke, a center touchscreen with two small driver displays, and a fixed seat position to save weight.
Deliveries
Production is now set for 2028, after promises for 2020 and every year since. No specific delivery date was given. Reservations are open in the US, Canada and China (CNBC). Tesla hasn’t said what happens to 2017 reservations.
Timeline
- November 2017: prototype revealed.
- September 2026: reservations reopened.
- September 28: the October 1 event was moved to October 15 because of the weather.
- October 15: official reveal (our recap). See also what was confirmed before the event.
FAQ
How much is the new Roadster? Tesla hasn’t given a price. The deposit is $50,000 for Performance and $250,000 for Thrust.
When is it coming out? Production is set for 2028.
What’s the range? Over 300 miles, according to Tesla.
Does it really fly? The Rocket version can lift off and jump using its thrusters, but Tesla says it isn’t approved for public roads.
Sources: Tesla (Roadster page), Tesla (X), Reuters, TechCrunch, Electrek, Road & Track, Engadget.