Musk's flying Tesla Roadster: 60 mph in 0.81s
Tesla showed its new Roadster in Texas on the 15th of October 2026 and timed 0 to 60 mph at 0.81 seconds. Reserving one costs 50,000 dollars, and Musk said production starts in 2028.
Tesla's new Roadster, 0.81s to 60 mphTesla's new Roadster ran 0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds at its unveiling on the 15th of October 2026, Tesla wrote on X. With rollout subtracted, the time was 0.67 seconds.
The event ran at SpaceX's rocket test site in McGregor, Texas, Tesla's video shows. Tesla gave no price, and Elon Musk said on stage that production starts in 2028.
Three Roadster versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket
Tesla listed three versions on X on the 16th of October. Performance seats two and needs under 1.6 seconds to reach 60 mph.
Thrust adds cold gas thrusters at the rear and needs under 0.9 seconds, Tesla wrote. Rocket seats one, has thrusters around the car and needs under 0.59 seconds.
Tesla wrote that Rocket "can fly", and its Roadster page says Rocket lacks approval for public roads. Range is over 300 miles, and Rocket tops out above 230 mph, Tesla wrote.
Below we break down the 0.81 seconds against Tesla's fastest car today
Tesla's own Model S Plaid page lists 1.99 seconds to 60 mph. The stage run took 41 percent of that time, by our arithmetic.
Reaching 60 mph in 0.81 seconds means an average push of about 3.4 g, by our arithmetic. Tires alone usually grip at about 1.26 g, a Tesla designer said on stage.
Fans pull the car down with up to 2 g, air tanks push it up
Fans under the car pull it to the ground with up to 2 g, Tesla's team said at the event. Tesla's Roadster page says the suction can hold the car upside down while it stands still.
The thrusters run on compressed air from two tanks holding 600 liters in total, an engineer said on stage.
50,000 dollars to reserve, still no price
Tesla's reservation page asks 5,000 dollars today, refundable, and 45,000 dollars within 10 days.
Tesla first showed a Roadster in November 2017 with a 2020 start date, Electrek reported. That 2017 car promised 620 miles of range, Electrek wrote.
Key facts
Shown by Tesla on the 15th of October 2026 in McGregor, Texas.
0 to 60 mph in 0.81 seconds on stage, Tesla wrote.
Three versions: Performance, Thrust and Rocket, which can fly.
Over 300 miles of range, above 230 mph for Rocket.
50,000 dollars to reserve, production in 2028, Musk said.