Tesla Roadster India Bookings Open at ₹5.01 Lakh; Production Set for 2028

The next-generation Tesla Roadster gets SpaceX-inspired air thrusters, an underbody suction fan and a claimed sub-one-second 0-100kph sprint. Production is expected to begin in 2028.

Tesla has unveiled its next-generation Roadster, an electric sports car featuring air thrusters that allow it to perform brief airborne manoeuvres. The pre-production model was demonstrated driving upside down on a curved ramp before lifting off, rotating in the air and landing on its wheels.

First showcased in 2017, the Roadster has faced several delays, with Tesla now targeting production in 2028. The new model features a redesigned exterior, a minimalist two-seat cabin and technology developed with input from SpaceX.

Tesla Roadster: Thrusters and suction fan explained

The new Roadster will be available in three configurations: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. The Performance version serves as the base model, while the other configurations add hardware for more extreme driving manoeuvres.

The Thrust package adds four rear-mounted air thrusters, while the Rocket configuration includes 10 additional thrusters designed to enable airborne movements.

Unlike conventional rocket engines, these thrusters use pressurised air released through nozzles to generate thrust. The system does not require fuel combustion to produce this force. By directing the escaping air, the vehicle can generate forward, upward and rotational movement.

The Roadster also features an underbody suction fan designed to increase grip. The system pulls air from beneath the car, creating a pressure difference that pushes the vehicle towards the road. This increases the load on the tyres and can improve traction, particularly at lower speeds when conventional aerodynamic wings generate less downforce.

Tesla claims the fan system can generate up to 2G of downforce at 200mph. However, its effectiveness in real-world driving conditions remains to be established.

Tesla Roadster: Performance and range

Tesla claims the thruster-equipped Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in less than a second. The company has also indicated a top speed exceeding 370kph and a driving range of more than 480km on a single charge.

However, complete production specifications, including battery capacity, motor output and charging performance, have yet to be confirmed.

The combination of high-speed performance and electric propulsion presents significant engineering challenges. The battery, motors and power electronics must manage the heat generated during repeated acceleration, while the cooling system needs to maintain performance without adding excessive weight.

The additional thrusters and suction fan also introduce complexity, making the final vehicle specifications important in determining how these systems affect overall efficiency.

Tesla Roadster: Design and interior

The redesigned Roadster adopts a sharp, wedge-shaped silhouette, moving away from the rounded design of the 2017 concept. The exterior features concealed headlights, a full-width LED tail-light, slim-spoke wheels and an active rear wing.

The rear wing can adjust its angle to balance aerodynamic downforce and drag. This helps improve stability at high speeds while managing the air resistance that affects maximum speed and efficiency.

Inside, the Roadster features a minimalist cabin with a yoke-style steering control and a central touchscreen. The two-seat layout is more focused than the earlier concept’s two-plus-two arrangement.

The Rocket version switches to a single-seat configuration to accommodate the additional propulsion hardware required for its airborne manoeuvres.

Tesla Roadster launch timeline

Tesla has opened reservations for the Roadster in India, with the total reservation amount for the Thrust configuration reaching Rs 2.50 crore. However, this is not the car’s final purchase price, and Tesla has yet to confirm an India delivery date.

For the Roadster Performance, customers must pay Rs 5.01 lakh initially and another Rs 45.05 lakh within 10 days. This brings the total reservation amount to Rs 50.06 lakh.

The Thrust configuration requires a much higher payment. Customers must pay the same initial amount of Rs 5.01 lakh, followed by Rs 2,45,24,000 within 10 days. The total reservation payment comes to Rs 2,50,25,000, or approximately Rs 2.50 crore. Tesla has limited the Thrust configuration to one order per customer.

The company states that the availability of the Thrust configuration depends on local laws and regulatory requirements. This means the configuration or its thruster functionality may not be available in markets where it is not permitted.

These amounts are reservation payments listed on Tesla’s India website, not confirmed ex-showroom prices. Tesla describes the initial Rs 5.01 lakh payment as fully refundable. It also states that a reservation is not final until payment is received and may be cancelled if the remaining amount is not paid within 10 days.

Tesla says Roadster production is scheduled to begin in 2028, initially with left-hand-drive vehicles only. The company has not announced when right-hand-drive production will begin, leaving the timeline for an India-specification model uncertain.

The Roadster’s production timeline and final specifications remain key details to watch. If Tesla delivers on its claims, the electric sports car could introduce an unusual combination of high-performance driving, active aerodynamics and aerospace-inspired propulsion.

Source : Tesla

Editorial note: As Tesla works towards production, the Roadster’s final specifications and real-world performance will determine whether its ambitious engineering claims translate into a production-ready electric sports car.