Tesla's Roadster 2 prototype reportedly uses suction-based downforce to press the car onto the road, increasing tire grip for faster acceleration, braking, and cornering. The car's claimed 0-60 mph time of under one second is attributed not to tire friction alone, which physically caps performance, but to a rocket-like thrust system using compressed air shot out the back, similar in principle to a balloon-powered toy car.
wired.com
· 2026-10-20
At a SpaceX facility in McGregor, Texas, Tesla staged a driverless demonstration of its long-delayed Roadster 2, launching the car into a jump, flip and landing cushioned by onboard thrusters. Vehicle engineering chief Lars Moravy told Hagerty the car uses rear-wheel drive, two motors producing over a megawatt of power and 1,400 Nm of torque, more than Tesla's three-motor Plaid models.
wired.com
· 2026-10-16
Aviation experts say any version of Tesla's Roadster 2 capable of flight would need FAA certification, a process that could take at least a year, plus clearance to operate in national airspace. Pilots would likely need a recreational aviation license rather than a standard driver's license, and most states restrict takeoffs and landings to airports or designated helipads rather than public roads.
wired.com
· 2026-10-16
Tesla showcased the long-delayed Roadster 2 with compressed-gas thrusters, offering it in three configurations: a road-ready Performance model, a limited-production Thrust variant, and an invite-only single-seat Rocket version. The company did not disclose pricing, and only the Performance variant is currently open for reservations, which now require a $5,000 deposit plus $45,000 due within 10 days.
wired.com
· 2026-10-16
Tesla is holding what it calls its final unveiling event for a human-driven vehicle, finally showing the production Roadster 2 six years after its promised launch date. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, nearly nine years after Elon Musk first announced the car in 2017.
wired.com
· 2026-10-14
Tesla has rescheduled the unveiling of its second-generation Roadster from October 1 to October 15, citing forecasts of severe weather in Waco, Texas. The company said the event must be held outdoors, and cited close monitoring with local meteorologists in deciding to delay.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-28