Tesla’s next-generation Roadster promises to travel 1,000 kilometers on a single charge, making it one of the most ambitious electric vehicles ever announced. The company’s CEO Elon Musk first revealed the vehicle in 2017 with plans to start production in 2020, but delays have pushed the timeline back multiple times.
The electric hypercar boasts incredible performance numbers. Tesla claims it’ll accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds for the base model. The company also says the car will complete a quarter-mile in 8.88 seconds and reach speeds over 250 mph. These numbers would put the Roadster ahead of many traditional supercars from brands like Bugatti and Koenigsegg. The vehicle will be powered by a 200kWh battery, double the capacity of Tesla’s largest existing battery pack.
Tesla’s Roadster targets 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, outpacing traditional supercars from Bugatti and Koenigsegg.
What’s caught everyone’s attention is the possible SpaceX technology integration. Musk has talked about an optional SpaceX package that could include rocket thrusters. A prototype reportedly achieved a 0-60 mph time of 1.1 seconds using this technology. The thrusters would likely use compressed air or cold gas and be placed near the rear wheels or in external nozzles.
The Roadster features a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system. It has one motor in the front and two in the rear, all using permanent magnet synchronous motor technology. The system generates 1000 kW of power and 1500 Nm of torque. The car’s dimensions are 4,200mm long, 2,000mm wide, and 1,200mm high, giving it an aggressive stance. It also includes a removable glass roof panel for open-top driving.
Tesla originally planned to build the Roadster at its Fremont facility in California. However, during the 2022 Cyber Rodeo event at Giga Texas, the company announced it would manufacture the vehicle in Texas instead. The production timeline remains unclear, with hints suggesting a 2025 release for what Tesla calls a “next-gen” variant.
The 1,000-kilometer range claim exceeds what any production electric vehicle currently offers. Even Tesla’s Model S Plaid only achieves about 370 miles of range. The Roadster’s battery technology improvements since 2017 and its aerodynamic design should help achieve this ambitious target.
The vehicle represents Tesla’s push to prove electric cars can outperform traditional supercars in every metric. For automotive enthusiasts considering Tesla’s ecosystem, the company’s Powerwall systems can also charge electric vehicles at home while providing backup power during outages.