2028 Roadster SPECS & Everything You Need to Know

[Administrator]

Everything you need to know:

• Created to be the Ultimate Driver’s Car.
• Deliveries actually begin in 2028, built in Texas.
• Three configurations: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
• >300 miles of range for all trims.
• 0-60mph per configuration: <1.6s (Performance), <0.9 (Thrust), <0.59s (Rocket)
• Cold-gas thrusters (SpaceX-derived, adapted for atmosphere).
• 10 nozzles fed by 600 liters of compressed air allow the car to move forward, upward, and rotate.
• Thrusters generate 4–5x force the tires can handle.
• Multi-mode suction/fan system can hold the car upside-down even when stationary (up to 2G). The car can go upside down.
• Design is inspired by SR-71 and F-35.
• Concealed headlights
• Ano White paint (aerospace coatings: UV, cryogenic, electrostatic, corrosion protection)
• Gold Glazed tinted glass (spacesuit-visor style) + titanium accents
• Ultrawhite interior cabin with gray microsuede detailing and seat bolsters.
• Seats are molded into the chassis.
• Steer-by-wire Yoke
• Made with magnesium, titanium, carbon fiber.
• Height-adjustable spool-valve dampers, which allows the car to raise or lower.
• Can drop up to 1.6 inches (40 mm) in Track Mode.
• Three modes: Road Mode, High-Drag Mode, and Low-Drag Mode.
• Top speed more than 230 mph, but Elon said Tesla is working toward a longer-term goal of 380 mph (Mach 0.5).



Tesla Roadster 0-60 mph times:

• Performance trim: Under 1.6 seconds
• Thrust trim: Under 0.9 seconds
• Rocket trim: Under 0.59 seconds



Roadster is a true pilot's car: active aerodynamics, a multi-mode suction system & cold-gas thrusters

Exterior
– Concealed headlights, full-length taillight & flush-mounted surfaces for a minimalist, highly technical form

– Super light wheels w/ thin spokes that reinforce structural strength when earthbound

– Ano White paint brings an aerospace-derived finish w/ UV & cryogenic protection, electrostatic dissipation & corrosion resistance

– Gold Glazed tinted glass mimicking the copper coating of spacesuit visors, w/ subtle titanium accents


Interior
– Ultrawhite interior w/ gray microsuede detailing & seat bolsters for added grip

– Manual controls & a fixed seat position reduce overall vehicle mass

– Lightweight, high-strength materials throughout, including magnesium, titanium & carbon fiber help reduce it further

This allows Roadster to respond to driver inputs almost instantly


Beyond the limits of physics
– Multi-mode fan & ground sealing system pulls air from beneath the vehicle, generating enough suction to hold it upside down while stationary

– Powered fans & active wings maximize traction and cornering speeds in all conditions, achieving massive downforce at zero speed

– Advanced cold-gas thrusters w/ all-electric actuators make micro adjustments within a fraction of a second to stabilize the vehicle in flight

 

[CyberGus]

Seats are molded into the chassis

So, if you tear a seat cover, the vehicle is totaled. Got it

 

[Administrator]

Updated list of New Tesla Roadster specs:

• Bespoke 4680 battery cell just for Roadster. Tesla's fastest charging battery, 15-80% charge in 10 mins.
• Tesla wants to get to a <30 minute COPV tank refilling time, which will last ~5 seconds (single use before you have to refill it).
• COPV uses an actuator from Tesla's Optimus robot
• Roadster is capable of 0-60mph time of 0.55 seconds
• 310-320 mile range
• Up to 1,500 hp
• Two motors, both on the rear axel
• 10,000 psi COPV
• 330+ mph top speed target
• Rocket trim will be limited production
• Almost every panel of the car moves in some way
• Roadster is 2 meters wide
• The pedals move for driver comfort. Seats are fixed
• Brake-by-wire (and steer-by-wire)
• Wireless phone charger
• Heated seats
• Next-gen heat pump
• Tesla's thinnest headlights ever
• Rear-wheel drive only, with 2 rear motors making 1+ megawatt & 1,400+ Nm, more than all 3 Plaid motors combined
• No differential: each rear wheel is controlled independently through 8.4:1 planetary gears, with its own inverter
• New 4680 cells with a special high-power chemistry, aluminum cans (instead of steel) & double-sided cooling
• Titanium upper battery plate + aluminum lower plate
• 800V architecture (same as Cybertruck & Semi)
• 15-80% charge in 10 minutes, Tesla's fastest-charging battery ever
• 300+ miles of range (battery size not disclosed)
• Target of 25-30 minutes of unlimited track driving per charge
• Weight just under 1,700 kg or 3,700 lbs (not final)
• Double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear, adaptive dampers
• Track Mode lowers the car 40mm & makes it 3x stiffer
• Pop-down headlights only ~15mm tall
• Front wings move up to 80°, with pop-out side "scales" (barge boards) & an active hood vent
• 4 rear fans (~20 kW each) + 4 drop-down side skirts form a "sucker system" for 2+ g of cornering from 0-50 mph
• Skirts are replaceable rubber & nylon-bristle wear parts
• Orange-tinted titanium-oxide rear glass, as used on aircraft
• Removable roof panels
• 4-5 prototypes built so far, with a bigger build planned early next year
• Tesla calls it "the last great driver's car"

 

[wshunter]

It seems that with that technology an amazing off road rescue or recreational vehicle could be made that could go almost anywhere, might have a much larger market than the roadster, and wouldn’t have to be street legal in the off road environment.

 

[gtgarner]

My question.

What did Tesla use in the thruster exhaust to display the air coming out?

Normally you can't see air being thrusted through air.

 

[CTOWannabe]

I'e been maintaining a list of stats:

	Base	Performance	Thrust	Rocket
Production	Apparently regular unlimited production; announced, not reservable	Apparently regular unlimited production; reservable	Limited release; reservable (not available in all regions)	Invite only (not available in all regions)
Deposit (6)	—	$50k ($5k now + $45k within 10 days)	$250k ($5k now + $245k within 10 days); one per customer	Invite only
Cost	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Seats	2	2	2	1
Power	~1,340 hp (5)	1,500 hp	1,500 hp	1,500 hp
Torque	~960 lb-ft (5)	1,033 lb-ft	Same	Same
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
FSD	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)
0–60 mph	Not stated	Under 1.6 s	0.85 s (Tesla: under 0.9 s)	Under 0.59 s
Top speed	~210–214 mph (4)	~210–214 mph (4)	230 mph (9)	Over 230 mph (9)
Thruster nozzles	0	0	4	10
Fan suction	Likely none	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear luggage room (2)	Yes	Yes	No, the tank takes the space	No
Range	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)
Weight	Under 1,700 kg (~3,750 lb) target	~1,700 kg	Heavier, amount not stated	Heavier, amount not stated
Battery charging	15→85% in 10 min, over 500 kW (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)
Air tank refill	No tank	No tank	200 L: 2–6 h now, goal under 30 min	600 L: ~6–7 h now, goal ~1 h
Road legal (7)	Yes	Yes	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)

(1) Tesla gave range and charging for the car in general.
(2) There might be frunk space too.
(3) It isn't clear what "Limited FSD" means. After the reveal, Musk posted that you will be able to ask the Roadster to perform the tricks shown autonomously, and that Tesla will have a looping test track at its Texas HQ for owners.
(4) 214 mph is from Tesla staff via Top Gear and 210 mph is from Hagerty; a 330 mph gearing version is planned.
(5) From Top Gear's narration, not confirmed by Tesla.
(6) US amounts shown; refundable until you configure. UK, Canadian, EU and Indian amounts differ (India: about ₹50 lakh for Performance and ₹2.5 crore for Thrust).
(7) Musk's "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" quote plus the McLaren and Koenigsegg track-only mode precedent.
(8) Tesla's site says "Not approved for public road use," set against Musk's reveal quotes and DeSantis's post. The FAA says "The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft," and the Transportation Department says NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
(9) After the reveal, Musk posted a goal of over Mach 0.5, about 400 mph peak speed. This is a stated goal, not a spec.

 

[ginmqi]

I'e been maintaining a list of stats:

	Base	Performance	Thrust	Rocket
Production	Apparently regular unlimited production; announced, not reservable	Apparently regular unlimited production; reservable	Limited release; reservable (not available in all regions)	Invite only (not available in all regions)
Deposit (6)	—	$50k ($5k now + $45k within 10 days)	$250k ($5k now + $245k within 10 days); one per customer	Invite only
Cost	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Seats	2	2	2	1
Power	~1,340 hp (5)	1,500 hp	1,500 hp	1,500 hp
Torque	~960 lb-ft (5)	1,033 lb-ft	Same	Same
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
FSD	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)	Limited FSD mentioned (3)
0–60 mph	Not stated	Under 1.6 s	0.85 s (Tesla: under 0.9 s)	Under 0.59 s
Top speed	~210–214 mph (4)	~210–214 mph (4)	230 mph (9)	Over 230 mph (9)
Thruster nozzles	0	0	4	10
Fan suction	Likely none	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear luggage room (2)	Yes	Yes	No, the tank takes the space	No
Range	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)	310–320 mi (1)
Weight	Under 1,700 kg (~3,750 lb) target	~1,700 kg	Heavier, amount not stated	Heavier, amount not stated
Battery charging	15→85% in 10 min, over 500 kW (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)	Same (1)
Air tank refill	No tank	No tank	200 L: 2–6 h now, goal under 30 min	600 L: ~6–7 h now, goal ~1 h
Road legal (7)	Yes	Yes	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)	Likely road legal with feature limitations (8)

(1) Tesla gave range and charging for the car in general.
(2) There might be frunk space too.
(3) It isn't clear what "Limited FSD" means. After the reveal, Musk posted that you will be able to ask the Roadster to perform the tricks shown autonomously, and that Tesla will have a looping test track at its Texas HQ for owners.
(4) 214 mph is from Tesla staff via Top Gear and 210 mph is from Hagerty; a 330 mph gearing version is planned.
(5) From Top Gear's narration, not confirmed by Tesla.
(6) US amounts shown; refundable until you configure. UK, Canadian, EU and Indian amounts differ (India: about ₹50 lakh for Performance and ₹2.5 crore for Thrust).
(7) Musk's "not necessarily a safety-optimized car" quote plus the McLaren and Koenigsegg track-only mode precedent.
(8) Tesla's site says "Not approved for public road use," set against Musk's reveal quotes and DeSantis's post. The FAA says "The Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA's definition of an aircraft," and the Transportation Department says NHTSA "will continue to monitor the situation."
(9) After the reveal, Musk posted a goal of over Mach 0.5, about 400 mph peak speed. This is a stated goal, not a spec.

Great summary.

Another tidbit to add to your table:

Windshield wiper.
Base: single, fixed arm(?, to reduce cost/complexity,etc.)

Performance/Thrust/Rocket: single, removable arm(?)

It will be interesting to see how that pop out windshield panel works for the removable wiper. And from the looks of it, seems like it will be a single large wiper like the CT. And I imagine there is something inside that is designed for wiper storage and that windshield cutout storage?

Factory glass tint:
Base: none (again my assumption on this low spec and them cutting cost)
Performance/Thrust/Rocket: Gold glaze

Also the steering yoke looks like it has paddle buttons/"shifters"....for turn signal? No one has said or asked how that works. I don't see the traditional signal buttons like every other Tesla.

And the center screen seems to be a fixed angle towards the driver.

 

[CTOWannabe]

Great summary.

Another tidbit to add to your table:

Windshield wiper.
Base: single, fixed arm(?, to reduce cost/complexity,etc.)

Performance/Thrust/Rocket: single, removable arm(?)

It will be interesting to see how that pop out windshield panel works for the removable wiper. And from the looks of it, seems like it will be a single large wiper like the CT. And I imagine there is something inside that is designed for wiper storage and that windshield cutout storage?

Factory glass tint:
Base: none (again my assumption on this low spec and them cutting cost)
Performance/Thrust/Rocket: Gold glaze

Also the steering yoke looks like it has paddle buttons/"shifters"....for turn signal? No one has said or asked how that works. I don't see the traditional signal buttons like every other Tesla.

And the center screen seems to be a fixed angle towards the driver.

Do you have a source for base having a fixed arm? If so I'll add it to the table.