Tesla showcased the new generation Roadster at an event in Waco, Texas. The demonstration vehicle drove upside down, flew briefly, and accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under one second. The car is currently scheduled for production in 2028, but it remains to be seen whether the performance shown in the demo can be achieved in the mass-production model.
The new generation Roadster made its surprise debut at Tesla's Semi event in 2017. At the time, Tesla's stated goals included accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a top speed exceeding 250 mph, a 200 kWh battery pack, a range of up to 620 miles, and a starting price of $200,000.
Tesla initially pointed to a 2020 delivery timeline, which has since been delayed multiple times. Musk had previously proposed a "SpaceX package" equipped with cold gas thrusters, and discussed hovering capabilities and shorter acceleration times. Whether the new generation Roadster will enter production as scheduled in 2028, and whether the capabilities demonstrated can be applied to mass-produced vehicles, remains to be seen.