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Tesla Reunveils Next-Generation Roadster With Claimed 0-60 Time Under One Second
Tesla has shown an updated version of its long-delayed Roadster, claiming a 0-60 mph time of 0.81 seconds and a 'Rocket' variant with thrusters available by invitation only.
By George Kensington · 4 min read
Tesla has re-unveiled its next-generation Roadster, eight years after the electric supercar was first shown in a different form. The updated model, presented by Elon Musk, is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 0.81 seconds — a figure that, if verified, would make it the quickest production car ever built.
The original Roadster concept was revealed in 2017 with a promised 0-60 time of 1.9 seconds. The new version dramatically improves on that claim. Tesla also demonstrated the car's ability to jump over a Semi truck, a stunt designed to showcase the vehicle's advanced suspension and thrust capabilities.
However, the Roadster is not yet available to order. Tesla has not confirmed a final production date or a definitive price, leaving the car in a state of prolonged anticipation. The company first promised the Roadster would arrive in 2020, and the timeline has slipped repeatedly since then.
A key detail of the updated reveal is the existence of a top-tier «Rocket» version equipped with thrusters. According to Tesla, this variant will not be offered to the general public; it will be available by invitation only. The base version of the Roadster will not include any thrusters, meaning the most extreme performance figures are reserved for a select group of buyers.
The technical breakdown of the new Roadster suggests a significant evolution from the 2017 concept. While Tesla has not released full specifications, the claimed 0-60 time of 0.81 seconds implies an enormous amount of torque and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. The jump demonstration further indicates that the car's suspension and aerodynamic systems are capable of handling extreme manoeuvres.
Industry observers have noted that the Roadster's repeated delays have become a pattern for Tesla. The car was originally intended to serve as a halo product for the brand, demonstrating the upper limits of electric vehicle performance. Its long gestation has coincided with Tesla's expansion into mass-market models and its growing focus on autonomy and energy storage.
The reveal comes at a time when competition in the electric supercar segment is intensifying. Established manufacturers and new entrants alike are pushing the boundaries of acceleration and top speed. Tesla's claims for the Roadster, if they hold up in production form, would set a new benchmark.
Yet the absence of a firm launch date raises questions about when — or whether — the Roadster will reach customers. Musk has a history of announcing ambitious products with timelines that prove optimistic. The Roadster's nearly nine-year wait from first concept to this updated reveal is already one of the longest in modern automotive history.
For now, the updated Roadster remains a demonstration of intent rather than a purchasable vehicle. Tesla has not opened reservations, and the invitation-only Rocket version suggests that even when production begins, the most capable variant will be extremely limited. The company has not indicated how many units it plans to build or which markets will receive them first.
The Roadster's significance extends beyond raw performance. It is intended to showcase Tesla's engineering capabilities and to reinforce the brand's position at the forefront of electric vehicle technology. Whether it will ultimately be built in the form shown — and whether the 0.81-second claim will be independently verified — remains to be seen.
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