Tesla Reveals New Roadster Details Including Fourth Trim and Rear-Wheel Drive Configuration
The standard Roadster trim produces 1 MW of power, while the Thrust trim features cold-gas thrusters producing over 18,000 pounds of thrust.
Tesla has disclosed additional technical specifications for its upcoming Roadster, confirming a four-trim lineup that includes a standard model, Performance, Thrust, and Rocket variants. The reveal event and subsequent media walkthroughs highlighted the vehicle's rear-wheel-drive architecture and unique aerodynamic features.
What Happened
Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed the existence of a fourth trim level, the Rocket, which joins the previously listed standard, Performance, and Thrust models. The standard Roadster is reported to produce 1 MW of power, approximately 1,340 horsepower, with roughly 960 lb-ft of torque, though final specifications remain subject to change. All versions utilize a rear-wheel-drive setup with two motors, one fewer than the Model S Plaid, but each motor has its own inverter to enable torque vectoring. The drive unit is described as having one-third more power than the Plaid at half the mass.
The Thrust trim features cold-gas thrusters capable of producing more than 80 kN (about 18,000 pounds) of thrust, exceeding the military power output of an F-16 fighter jet. This system enabled a live demonstration of 0-60 mph acceleration in 0.81 seconds. The 330 mph top speed claim applies only to the Thrust and Rocket trims, as the current listed top speed is 214 mph. Refueling the high-pressure gas tank for the thrusters currently takes two to six hours, with Tesla aiming to reduce this to half an hour in the future.
Why It Matters
The new Roadster introduces distinct engineering choices that differentiate it from Tesla's current lineup. The vehicle lacks a permanent frunk, as the front section is dedicated to active aero components, including wings and bargeboards described by designer Lars Moravy as a single large wing. Instead, storage space is available behind the seats in the standard and Performance trims, offering 300 to 400 liters of capacity, as these models do not require the 200-liter Carbon Overwrapped Pressure Vessel found in the Thrust trim.
Aerodynamic efficiency is prioritized through a fan-based suction system that deploys skirts along the sides, front, and rear to create downforce. The charge port is concealed behind the active rear wing, and the windshield wiper is a removable quick-release unit to minimize drag. The vehicle is also a convertible, featuring two removable roof panels. To save weight, the seats are fixed in place, with adjustment achieved by moving the pedals closer to the driver. While the hardware for Full Self-Driving (FSD) is present, Tesla has indicated that only a limited version of FSD will be available.
The Bottom Line
Production for the new Tesla Roadster is set to begin in 2028. The vehicle will feature side mirrors for the U.S. market, despite prototypes shown without them. Tesla has not yet specified which FSD features will be excluded from the limited version planned for the Roadster. Many details, particularly for the standard trim, could change as production approaches.
