Tesla opens Roadster reservations for three variants, production set for 2028

Tesla unveiled its flying Roadster on Thursday, opening reservations for three variants—Performance, Thrust, and Rocket—with production slated to begin in 2028, over a decade after the car's initial concept debut. The Performance variant is a road-ready two-seater with active aerodynamics and a suction system for downforce, while the limited-release Thrust adds cold-gas thrusters for sub-1-second 0-100 km/h acceleration. The invite-only Rocket is a single-seat, air-ready model with perimeter thrusters enabling flight. Reservations require a $5,000 immediate payment in the US, with $4,500 due within 10 days, or ₹5,01,000 and ₹45,05,000 in India. Demonstrations showed the vehicle driving upside down and jumping over obstacles using SpaceX-developed components.