Key Takeaways
- The next-generation Roadster may make its debut in August 2026, roughly nine years after Tesla first showcased the concept.
- SpaceX’s McGregor, Texas testing facility will likely host the unveiling event.
- An exclusive edition incorporates cold-gas rocket thruster technology developed through SpaceX collaboration, with capabilities that may include brief hovering.
- The thruster-enabled variant likely won’t meet street-legal requirements and may carry a price tag reaching into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
- Back in 2017, Tesla collected $50,000 reservations for the base model and $250,000 for the exclusive Founder’s Series.
According to a recent report from The Information, Tesla is gearing up to showcase a completely redesigned Roadster as soon as this month. The reveal is anticipated to occur at SpaceX’s McGregor, Texas testing grounds.
Tesla first introduced the next-generation Roadster concept in 2017, promising deliveries would begin in 2020. Multiple delays have pushed that timeline back significantly, leaving reservation holders waiting approximately nine years.
Visual differences between the standard Roadster and the exclusive SpaceX-enhanced variant are expected to be minimal. Tesla’s official website continues to advertise impressive performance figures: a 0-60 mph sprint in under two seconds, maximum velocity exceeding 250 mph, and an estimated driving range of 620 miles.
Development plans for the Roadster underwent significant changes after Tesla abandoned its initial strategy of utilizing Model S Plaid platform components. The project has transformed into a purpose-built carbon-fiber hypercar engineered entirely from scratch.
SpaceX Thruster Technology Integration
The most striking innovation is a cold-gas thruster arrangement created through partnership with SpaceX. Approximately 10 high-pressure thrusters are strategically positioned throughout the vehicle’s frame, engineered to enhance acceleration capabilities, improve cornering dynamics, and strengthen braking power.
Speculation suggests the thruster system might enable the vehicle to levitate momentarily above the ground. This capability remains unverified at this time.
Due to the substantial noise levels and powerful forces produced by the thrusters, the vehicle may require remote operation during public demonstrations. The thruster-equipped configuration is unlikely to receive approval for public road use.
The exclusive SpaceX package version could command prices ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to potentially multiple millions. This represents a substantial increase from the original reservation pricing structure Tesla established years earlier.
Reservation Details
Tesla initially opened reservations with $50,000 deposits for the standard configuration and $250,000 for the limited Founder’s Series edition. These reservations have remained active since 2017.
The company has not yet disclosed how existing deposits will be handled or how pricing will be configured for the updated versions.
When Reuters contacted Tesla for comment prior to the August 14, 2026 report publication, the company did not provide a response.
While the demonstration is anticipated at SpaceX’s McGregor location, Tesla has not officially announced a specific date.
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