Tesla is set to unveil its highly anticipated new Roadster as early as this month, with a demonstration that promises to showcase the car lifting off the ground using SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters. The event, planned for SpaceX’s rocket test site in McGregor, Texas, will feature the Roadster operated remotely with no one inside due to the extreme noise and safety concerns.
A Daring Demo at SpaceX’s Texas Site
According to a report from The Information, Tesla’s upcoming Roadster demonstration will take place at SpaceX’s rocket test facility in McGregor, Texas. The highlight of the event is a stunt where the Roadster will lift off the ground, powered by a set of cold gas thrusters developed by SpaceX and internally code-named A71.
For safety reasons, the car will be operated remotely with no driver or passengers, and spectators will be kept several hundred yards away. The thrusters are reportedly so loud that they could damage hearing at close range.
How the Roadster Evolved
The Roadster’s journey has seen several changes since its initial concept. In 2022, Tesla’s design studio explored two different directions: one based on the Model S Plaid’s architecture and another built around an ultralight carbon fiber tub, similar to high-end race cars. CEO Elon Musk ultimately chose the carbon tub approach, instructing the team to ‘do it correctly or not at all,’ according to a person familiar with the project.
Tesla brought in engineering talent from Italy, including former Lamborghini body engineering head Stefan Nothdurfter, to help realize the vision. The styling process included influences from the Lamborghini Countach and later shifted to evoke the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, which inspired the A-71 code name. By 2025, the design had become more conservative, and a two-seat prototype with butterfly doors was built late last year.
Limited Edition: Not for the Road
The version of the Roadster set for demonstration in Texas will not be street legal and is expected to cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, according to The Information. Tesla has discussed selling this limited edition to a select group of superfans through a program similar to Ferrari’s XX Programme, where owners drive track-only cars under supervision.
Tesla also considered making the car a single-seater by replacing the passenger seat with a cold gas thruster. As currently designed, it is unlikely that anyone could drive the Roadster while the thrusters are firing due to the extreme noise.
Long Wait for Reservation Holders
Tesla began taking $50,000 reservations for the standard Roadster and $250,000 for the Founders Series back in 2017. Since then, the company has delayed the project multiple times, moving the goalpost at least eight times. Some early reservation holders, including Marques Brownlee and Sam Altman, have publicly canceled their orders. Elon Musk has acknowledged the ‘long-suffering’ reservation holders in shareholder meetings.
In May, Tesla filed new Roadster trademarks, marking one of the few recent signs of progress on the project.
Competitor Comparison
The Tesla Roadster enters a competitive field of high-performance electric sports cars. The BYD Yangwang U9, a Chinese electric supercar, is positioned as a direct rival with a focus on extreme performance. The Polestar 6, an electric convertible sports car, is also targeting a similar launch window and aims to attract enthusiasts seeking open-top EV thrills. Meanwhile, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore brings Italian luxury and heritage to the electric grand tourer segment. Each of these models is expected to be priced in the upper luxury bracket, with the Roadster’s limited edition likely exceeding $250,000 (~AUD 354,188).
Historical Context
Tesla’s global sales reached 1,654,667 vehicles in 2025, representing an 8.6% decline year-over-year. This follows a decade of rapid growth, with sales rising from just 22,477 units in 2013 to 1.79 million in 2024. The Roadster’s protracted development and repeated delays stand in contrast to Tesla’s earlier pace of innovation and expansion.
Why this matters
The upcoming Roadster demonstration is significant as it highlights Tesla’s ongoing push for technical showmanship, even as the company faces challenges in delivering on long-standing promises to customers. The use of SpaceX thrusters and remote operation underscores the experimental nature of this limited edition vehicle, which is not intended for public roads.
For Tesla, the event serves as both a technological showcase and a reminder of the company’s history of ambitious, sometimes delayed, product launches.
What this means for buyers
For those who placed early reservations, the wait for a production-ready Roadster continues, with no clear delivery timeline for street-legal versions. Prospective buyers interested in high-performance electric sports cars may wish to monitor developments from competitors such as BYD, Polestar, and Maserati, which are also preparing to launch new models in this segment.
Given the Roadster’s limited edition status and likely high price, most enthusiasts will need to look elsewhere for a more accessible electric supercar experience.
Related coverage from The Electric Viking
For more on Tesla’s evolving product strategy and electric supercar competition, see BYD Yangwang U9: China’s answer to the Tesla Roadster and Polestar 6: Electric convertible targets Tesla and Maserati.
Key Specs
- Demo Date: August 2026 (planned)
- Demo Location: SpaceX rocket test site, McGregor, Texas
- Thruster Package: SpaceX-developed cold gas thrusters (A71)
- Operation: Remote-controlled, no occupants
- Spectator Distance: Several hundred yards (due to noise)
- Prototype Features: Two-seat, butterfly doors, carbon fiber tub
- Reservation Price (Standard): $50,000 (~AUD 70,838)
- Reservation Price (Founders Series): $250,000 (~AUD 354,188)
Source
Images sourced from: electrek.co, notateslaapp.com, livecarmodel.com
