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On Jan. 9, 2026, Tesla used a Waco, Texas showcase to detail a radical next-generation Roadster lineup, confirming three variants: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. The highest-spec Rocket version comes with perimeter-mounted cold-gas thrusters that the company says give it real flight capability, along with claimed 0-60 mph times under 0.59 seconds.
The new Roadster will arrive in three configurations: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. The Performance model is aimed at roads and race circuits, with two seats, active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system that helps keep the body planted. Tesla claims a 0-60 mph sprint of under 1.6 seconds, which would already beat nearly every production sports car currently on sale.
The Thrust model retains the two-seat cockpit but adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters, turning the car into a rocket-assisted machine for closed-course driving. Tesla says this middle variant cuts the 0-60 mph time to under 0.9 seconds.
Then there is the Rocket: a single-seat, track-focused configuration with cold-gas thrusters mounted around the perimeter of the car. According to Tesla, these thrusters are arranged to provide forward and upward acceleration, as well as sideways and rotational movement. In Tesla's words: “So…yes, it can fly.”
The Rocket's claimed numbers are stunning: 0-60 mph in less than 0.59 seconds, a top speed greater than 230 mph (370 km/h) and a total range exceeding 300 miles (483 km). Tesla has not yet disclosed separate range figures for the other two trims.
The Roadster concept first surfaced in 2017, and after multiple delays, Thursday night's event offered the clearest look yet at the production-intent design.
Cold-gas thrusters have been used for decades by SpaceX to position spacecraft in orbit. But mounting them on a consumer car required completely rethinking how such systems can be packaged and controlled. Tesla says the Roadster stores compressed gas inside carbon-fibre overwrapped pressure vessels, another spaceflight-derived component. The company adds that nearly every possible cavity in the car is being used for storage, because holding more gas lets the thrusters fire for longer.
Tesla claims its thruster package can generate four to five times more force than conventional tires provide. That means the Roadster could accelerate, brake and change direction far more aggressively than a tire-grip-limited machine. In practical terms, the thrusters are meant to act as a performance multiplier, allowing launches and cornering that no ordinary road car can achieve.
When Track Mode is engaged, the Roadster also deploys active aero panels designed to generate downforce in the realm of Formula 1. Intriguingly, Tesla says the active wing is driven by actuators developed for the Optimus humanoid robot, an example of technology transfer between Tesla's automotive and robotics programs.
The Roadster's exterior has evolved markedly from the car's original reveal. Tesla now cites the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane and the F-35 stealth fighter as design references. The body carries concealed headlights, a full-length taillight and flush-mounted panels for a sleek, speed-conscious profile.
A new finish called Ano White draws on aerospace coatings, with Tesla claiming the paint provides UV and cryogenic protection, electrostatic dissipation and corrosion resistance. Another standout is the “Gold Glazed” tinted glass, inspired by the gold-coated visors worn by astronauts. Subtle titanium accents complete the look.
The wheels are also designed for minimal weight, with thin spokes intended to maintain stiffness while cutting unsprung mass. Every element of the exterior, Tesla says, contributes to rapid response to driver commands.
Inside, the Roadster follows a strict lightweight philosophy. The cabin is trimmed in an “Ultrawhite” theme with grey microsuede inserts and heavily bolstered seats that hold occupants during high lateral forces. Rather than adding larger screens and power-adjustable seating, Tesla chose manual controls and a fixed seating position. The materials mix magnesium, titanium and carbon fibre, chosen for high strength and low weight.
This bare-bones approach makes sense given the extreme performance targets. Saving a few pounds per component can materially affect acceleration and handling in a car aimed at producing g-forces beyond typical street machinery.
Although Tesla's presentation was heavy on spectacle, the figures presented are still goals without independent verification. No pricing has been disclosed for any of the three trims. More significantly, Tesla did not provide a clear production timeline or explain how the Rocket version would be legally treated on public roads, given that its thrusters are capable of generating lift and sideways motion not covered by normal vehicle safety standards.
The Waco event is nevertheless a clear sign that Tesla intends the Roadster to stand apart not only from other EVs, but from all cars. It also places a new weight on the concept of a “driver's car” at a time when Tesla is simultaneously pushing autonomous vehicles without steering wheels, such as the Cybercab.
Customers have had the option to reserve a Roadster for some time. The terms remain: a $5,000 initial deposit plus a second payment of $45,000 due ten days later. There is no word yet on whether those reservations can be converted directly into orders for the Rocket or Thrust versions, or whether the base Performance model is the only path for early adopters.
Industry insiders are likely to view the thruster-equipped Roadster primarily as a showcase of Tesla's engineering ambition rather than a mass-market product. Regulatory hurdles aside, the complexity and cost of a car with pressurised-gas thrusters would push it well beyond the price range of conventional supercars. But Tesla has never been shy about setting limits aside.
For now, the Roadster stands as a bold statement of what an electric car could be when tire grip is no longer the ceiling. The next step is seeing whether it can turn those claimed numbers into real-world motion.
