Tesla reveals pre-production flying Roadster with air thrusters
Tesla has revealed a pre-production electric sports car, called the Roadster, which will enter production in 2028. It will be available in a standard Performance trim, and Thrust and Rocket packages (or ‘augments’ in Tesla-speak). Bookings for the Performance trim and Thrust package are underway in India at Rs 5 lakh, while the Rocket augment is an invite-only programme. It gets an underbody suction fan for additional grip, and optional air thrusters that help the Roadster perform airborne manoeuvres.
Interestingly, the 2026 Roadster concept has seen a thorough exterior and interior redesign from the 2017 concept, now sporting two seats but missing out on a removable roof. The upcoming electric sports car will mark the second run for the Roadster nameplate after it was discontinued in 2012.
New Tesla Roadster EV: All you need to know
How the pre-production Roadster’s ‘flying tech’ works
The thrusters use pressurised cold air expelled through nozzles to generate thrust, allowing the Roadster to briefly lift off the ground and control its movement in the air. The system is distinct from a conventional rocket engine, as it relies on stored pressurised air rather than burning propellant.
The Performance trim features an underbody suction fan that can generate 2G of grip. As mentioned earlier, it serves as the base for the other two configurations. The Thrust package adds four rear-mounted thrusters, and the Rocket package adds 10 more thrusters, which enable airborne manoeuvres.
Tesla claims a 0-100kph time of under a second for the new Roadster, although final production powertrain specifications, including battery capacity, motor output and range, are yet to be revealed.
Gets angular ‘Cyber’ styling and aerospace-inspired details
The new design marks a significant departure from the original concept from 2017, which featured a rounded nose, flowing bodywork and a removable glass roof. The redesigned pre-production model adopts a more angular, wedge-shaped silhouette like the Tesla Cybertruck, with aircraft-inspired styling from the SR-71 Blackbird and the F-35 fighter jet.
The front gets concealed headlights, while the rear features a full-width LED tail-light and a prominent active rear wing. Flush-mounted surfaces and slim-spoke wheels contribute to the cleaner design, with the wing adjusting to balance downforce and aerodynamic drag. Tesla has also introduced an ‘Ano White’ paint finish, alongside gold-tinted glass and titanium accents.
Has a minimalist cockpit with yoke steering and a central infotainment screen
The 2017 Roadster concept featured a curved central touchscreen, a conventional two-plus-two seating layout and a removable glass roof. The redesigned model adopts a more focused, two-seat cabin, with a yoke-style steering unit with physical controls and a central touchscreen.
The yoke is designed to work with a steer-by-wire system, while braking and throttle inputs are also electronically controlled. Tesla has opted for a fixed seating position, with the cabin using lightweight materials such as carbon fibre, magnesium and titanium to help keep weight in check. The interior is finished in white, with grey microsuede detailing and more heavily bolstered seats.
The Rocket version drops the passenger seat to make room for the additional hardware required for its flight system, setting it apart from the two-seat Performance and Thrust versions. Tesla says the Rocket is “not approved for public road use”, but the road legality of the standard Performance with the suction fan and the Thrust augment, which features additional air thrusters in the rear, is uncertain in India.
