Tesla Reveals Second-Generation Roadster, Opens China Reservations for Performance Version

Tesla has taken the wraps off the redesigned second-generation Roadster, a vehicle first teased as a prototype back in 2017 and originally slated for production in 2020. The unveiling took place at SpaceX’s McGregor, Texas test facility, and simultaneously Tesla’s Chinese website began accepting reservations for the Performance variant. Customers in China must place a deposit of 332,000 yuan (approximately $49,390), which Tesla describes as fully refundable and separate from the vehicle's final price, still unannounced. Reservations are only confirmed once funds are received within a 10-day window; any changes to the order that affect the deposit amount will not be refunded. In the US, the process differs: an initial $5,000 payment followed by $45,000 within 10 days, totaling $50,000.

The demonstration at the event was dramatic: a prototype equipped with suction fans and cold-gas thrusters climbed a curved ramp, flipped mid-air, and landed, then jumped over a row of Tesla vehicles including the Semi truck. However, the Performance version available for reservation in China does not include the full flight system, and the aerial maneuvers shown should not be interpreted as capabilities of that trim. According to Tesla, the Performance model seats two, features active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 1.6 seconds. The Chinese site positions it as suitable for public roads, though actual market availability will depend on local regulations. The US site also lists Thrust and Rocket upgrade packages: Thrust adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters for a claimed sub-0.9-second 0-60 mph time and will be limited; Rocket, a single-seat configuration with thrusters for upward thrust and orientation control, is invitation-only and not approved for public roads. The cold-gas thrusters were developed jointly by Tesla and SpaceX engineers, using pressurized gas without combustion.

CEO Elon Musk set a production target of 2028 but provided no detailed timeline. Delivery plans for China have not been announced. The Roadster represents Tesla’s effort to showcase its engineering prowess and generate buzz, though its impact on sales and earnings is expected to be limited. As Bloomberg reported, citing Zacks Investment Research strategist Andrew Rocco, the high price and small addressable market mean the model is unlikely to materially alter Tesla’s financial outlook.

The reveal comes as Tesla faces headwinds in China, its second-largest market. Domestic deliveries in September fell 9.35% year-on-year to 64,837 vehicles, the fourth consecutive monthly decline. For the first nine months of 2026, Tesla delivered 381,088 vehicles in China, down 11.93% from the prior year. While growing exports from the Shanghai factory have supported wholesale volumes, they have not reversed the domestic slowdown. Globally, Tesla delivered 486,532 vehicles in the third quarter, a 2.13% year-on-year decrease but above market expectations.

The second-generation Roadster features a completely redesigned exterior and interior compared to the 2017 prototype. With reservations now open in China and the US, Tesla aims to gauge demand for its halo sports car while continuing to navigate a challenging competitive landscape in the world’s largest EV market.