Tesla reveals production Roadster with Cybertruck styling and thrusters

Tesla has finally revealed its second-generation Roadster, nine years after it first showed the car as a concept and 18 years after the original Roadster went on sale.

Elon Musk unveiled the car at a livestreamed event at SpaceX’s test facility in Texas. The production design has moved away from the curvy 2017 concept and borrows its flat surfaces and sharp edges from the Cybertruck.

The headline feature is a suction system that uses thrusters to press the car into the road for more grip. Tesla says the same system improves acceleration, and the car was shown reaching 100km/h in 0.8 seconds.

“It’s going to crush every track record that has ever existed,” Musk said of the system.

Fan-assisted downforce has been used on race cars before, but Tesla’s thrusters can also lift the Roadster off the ground. During the livestream the car was shown jumping over a Tesla Semi.

Musk confirmed the Roadster uses steer-by-wire, the system Tesla introduced on the Cybertruck, and called it “the last good driver’s car”. Tesla has not yet published full powertrain details. The 2017 concept was shown with three electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear.

Musk did not give a firm launch date, saying only that Tesla is targeting 2028. Production was originally promised for 2020.

New Zealand reservations opened in September, with Tesla asking for $73,000 in deposits: $7000 by credit card and a $66,000 wire transfer within 10 days. Tesla has not yet confirmed right-hand drive, local pricing or when cars might reach New Zealand.