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Tesla Roadster production and release status

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2026-08-18 12:48 UTC → 2026-08-19 10:19 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen has indicated that the second-generation Tesla Roadster will be released ‘very soon’. While no specific production schedule or release date was provided, the announcement follows several years of delays since the vehicle was originally unveiled in 2017. The upcoming model is designed with high-performance specifications, including a top speed exceeding 400 km/h, a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, and a 0–60 mph acceleration in under two seconds. Development includes a ‘SpaceX package’ intended to use cold gas thrusters to improve acceleration, braking, and cornering. As of August 2026, Tesla is ~~reportedly~~ preparing a demonstration of the redesigned Roadster at the SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas. This event is expected to showcase the vehicle’s ability to hover or lift off the ground using a cold gas thruster system, internally referred to as ‘A71’. Developed in collaboration with SpaceX, this technology utilizes pressurized gas to generate thrust without combustion, similar to rocket stabilization systems. The demonstration is expected to feature two versions: a standard street-legal Roadster and a limited-edition, non-street-legal version equipped with the SpaceX thruster package. Due to the extreme noise levels produced by the ‘A71’ system, the vehicle will be operated remotely without a driver, and spectators will be required to maintain a distance of several hundred yards to prevent hearing damage. While original concepts included radical maneuvers such as driving upside down on magnetized ramps, current plans appear focused on brief lift-off capabilities.

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