Tesla has revealed the Roadster electric supercar with SpaceX thrusters that can literally fly it in short bursts. It has been under development for 9 years, and the new Roadster will finally hit the production line in 2028 as a left-hand-drive car exclusively.

What is the Tesla Roadster and how can it fly?

The newly revealed Tesla Roadster concept might sound all-new, but Elon Musk promised this car 9 years ago. However, the financial shift of the company and focus on mass-market products like the Cybertruck pushed the Roadster concept backwards.

Fast forward to October 2026, Elon Musk showcased an advanced prototype with a twist. The twist is that it can fly - literally. While this might not be the world’s first flying car, the Roadster will get the SpaceX air thrusters that can help it fly on the production version.

Essentially, there will be four versions of the Roadster: Standard, Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. The Standard version will come equipped with a powerful twin electric motor setup that makes 1,073 bhp, and it can do 0-97 km/h in 1.6 seconds.

However, the Performance variant adds an advanced suction system and makes 1,350 bhp. Meanwhile, the Thrust variant adds four air thrusters at the rear, which can generate up to 2G force and make it do 0-97 km/h in just 0.81 seconds.

The range-topping Rocket variant is the one everyone is talking about. This version will not be road legal, and it will come with perimeter-equipped air thrusters. This tech has been carried over from the SpaceX rocket, and the Rocket variant can actually fly in short bursts.

Moreover, the Rocket variant gets 10 air thrusters equipped all around it. Hence, it can do 0-97 km/h in just 0.59 seconds, which is astronomical by any motorsports standard.

Tesla also demonstrated a jump over five vehicles during the debut event. However, the Rocket version will only be sold via an ‘invitation-only’ method, and it will be a track-only version with a single seat. So, basically, it will be more eye candy than an actual flying car.

Speaking of the technical specifications, Tesla claims that the Roadster will offer a top speed of 370 km/h and 480 km of range. Additionally, it can be charged from 15% to 80% in just 15 minutes.

When will the Tesla Roadster launch?

Tesla has already commenced reservations for the Roadster in the global market. For example, in the US, the Performance variant can be reserved for approximately AED 183,625, while the Thrust variant can be reserved for AED 918,125.

Mind you, these are reservation prices and not the actual price of the car.

Tesla will begin production of the Roadster in 2028 in the US. Interestingly, only the left-hand-drive models will be available worldwide.

Will it launch in the UAE?

UAE and GCC market has been fond of Tesla EVs ever since they came into existence. Be it the Cybertruck or the Model Y, UAE customers love Tesla.

However, Tesla has not officially commenced reservations for the Roadster in the Middle East yet. We believe that the Roadster will definitely launch in the UAE and GCC, but not before the end of 2028. The price, however, will be astronomical for sure.

Meanwhile, you can find the best used Tesla cars in Dubai with Cars24 UAE.

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