Tesla Roadster Debuts Rocket Thrusters at SpaceX Facility
The electric supercar showed off 0‑60 times under one second and a ground‑effect suction fan, but its rocket‑assisted trim is not approved for public roads.
17 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
On October 15, Tesla revealed its new Roadster at SpaceX’s McGregor, Texas facility. The wedge‑shaped electric supercar performed a half‑loop and a barrel roll while a suction fan beneath the body produced up to 2 g of downforce. Cold‑gas rocket thrusters were also on display, giving the car a 0‑60 mph time of 0.81 seconds and a top speed over 230 mph. Tesla’s fine‑print notes that the rocket‑assisted package is not approved for public road use.
Tesla offers the Roadster in three trims. The Performance model is street‑legal, powered only by the electric drive and the suction fan, and requires a $50,000 deposit. The Thrust trim adds rear thrusters for a sub‑0.9‑second 0‑60 time and needs a $250,000 deposit. The Rocket trim, available only by invitation, is a single‑seat version with full 3‑axis control and a sub‑0.59‑second launch, but its deposit amount is not listed. The car’s range has been cut from the original 620 miles to roughly 310–320 miles, and production is targeted for 2028.