What happened in this Tech story?

Tesla finally unveiled its redesigned Roadster nine years after the original prototype, showcasing cold-gas thrusters and a 0-60 mph under 0.59 seconds — but no production date or pricing for any of the three trims.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**Tesla** unveiled the new Roadster in a livestream featuring cold-gas thrusters and a "cyberfied" design inspired by the SR-71 and F-35, nine years after the 2017 prototype — and still offered no price or firm production date beyond Musk's "2028, actually" quote.

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**Three Roadster trims** were revealed: Performance (0-60 in under 1.6 seconds, two seats), Thrust (under 0.9 seconds with rear cold-gas thrusters, limited release), and Rocket (under 0.59 seconds, 230+ mph top speed, single seat, invite-only) — the latter two are not approved for public roads.

📎 SkimNews has covered Tesla 248+ times · see the file →

Tesla Roadster Unveiled With Thrusters — No Price, No Date — SkimNews

By Electrek · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-10-16

Get the Tech newsletter

Daily tech — startups, AI labs, chips, the launches that shape the next decade. Free.

Tesla unveiled the new Roadster in a livestream featuring cold-gas thrusters and a "cyberfied" design inspired by the SR-71 and F-35, nine years after the 2017 prototype — and still offered no price or firm production date beyond Musk's "2028, actually" quote.
Three Roadster trims were revealed: Performance (0-60 in under 1.6 seconds, two seats), Thrust (under 0.9 seconds with rear cold-gas thrusters, limited release), and Rocket (under 0.59 seconds, 230+ mph top speed, single seat, invite-only) — the latter two are not approved for public roads.
Tesla claims its cold-gas thrusters generate four to five times the force the tires can handle, and a "multi-mode suction system" can hold the car upside down even when stationary, with downforce "approaching F1 levels" in Track Mode.
Tesla reopened Roadster reservations at the same $50,000 total ($5,000 now, $45,000 within 10 days) as the 2017 unveil, while several original specs quietly shrank: range from 620 miles to over 300, and seating from four (2+2 layout) to two at most.
The base Performance trim beats the 1.9-second 0-60 mph Tesla promised in 2017, but Electrek's take notes the headline-grabbing stunts run on invite-only or limited trims that will likely void the warranty and may never clear FMVSS.
The Roadster launch felt to Electrek like an attempt to link Tesla and SpaceX ahead of an expected merger, echoing the Solar Tile unveiling ahead of Tesla's SolarCity acquisition.

Why it matters: The reveal comes nine years after the original prototype, and the specs have quietly downgraded: range was cut from a promised 620 miles to over 300, and seating from four to two, while the $50,000 reservation price hasn't changed. Original depositors who paid for a 620-mile, four-seat supercar are now looking at a 300-mile two-seater with no firm delivery date beyond "2028."