Tesla presented its redesigned second-generation Roadster outside Waco, Texas, on October 15, 2026. In Tesla’s 46-second event video, a white car climbs a steep curved ramp, launches into the air, changes orientation and lands. TechCrunch reported the event and its location. NeoTeo had previously covered the planned date in its preview of the Waco presentation.
What Tesla says powers the maneuver
Tesla describes a multi-mode fan and ground-sealing system designed to draw air from beneath the car and create downforce. The company says the system can hold the Roadster upside down, even while stationary. Tesla’s Roadster page describes the system.
Tesla vice president of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy was reported to have described 10 thrusters connected to 600 liters of compressed air for the demonstration. TechCrunch also reported that Tesla and SpaceX engineers collaborated on the thruster technology. Tesla says its car packs carbon-fiber-overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) into every usable void, and that more compressed gas would mean more flight time. (TechCrunch’s event report; Tesla’s post about the COPVs).
How Performance, Thrust and Rocket differ
Tesla describes three configurations with different seating and equipment:
| Configuration | Seats | Equipment Tesla describes |
| Performance | 2 | Active aerodynamics and multi-mode suction |
| Thrust | 2 | Multi-mode suction and rear cold-gas thrusters |
| Rocket | 1 | Suction system and cold-gas thrusters around the vehicle |
Tesla describes Rocket as invite-only and says it is not approved for public-road use. The restriction applies to Rocket; Tesla’s page does not extend it to the other configurations. Tesla lists the configurations and Rocket’s road-use restriction.
The reported acceleration displays
TechCrunch reported that an event display showed a 0–60 mph time of one second. Business Insider reported a separate recorded demonstration displaying 0.81 seconds for 0–60 mph. (TechCrunch; Business Insider).
Tesla’s reported production target is 2028
TechCrunch and InsideEVs reported that Tesla was targeting 2028 for Roadster production. (TechCrunch; InsideEVs).
