Tesla has opened reservations for the new Roadster in India after unveiling its redesigned electric sports car in Texas yesterday. The Indian website lists a Rs. 50.06 lakh reservation commitment for the Performance configuration which is separate from the final purchase price. The Roadster is scheduled to enter production in 2028 initially in left-hand-drive specification. Meanwhile, Tesla India has announced complimentary Acceleration Boost for the six-seat Model Y L.
The new Roadster draws inspiration from the SR-71 and F-35 aircraft as Tesla introduces concealed headlights, removable glass roof panels and an active rear wing. The wing also operates as an airbrake and the cabin features a steering yoke, driver-facing touchscreen and manually adjustable pedals. The vehicle showed during the unveiling was a production-intent prototype – nine years after Tesla revealed its original second-gen Roadster concept.
The prototype houses two electric motors at the rear axle and drives the rear wheels. The reported combined output is 1 MW – equivalent to 1,341 mechanical hp. The 4680-cell battery supplies the motors as Tesla targets over 483 km of range and a 10 to 80 per cent charging time of 10 to 12 minutes. The development car additionally features carbon ceramic brakes and height adjustable spool-valve dampers and Tesla targets a weight of 1,700 kg.
The three Roadster configurations differ in acceleration equipment as Tesla combines electric drive, fan-generated downforce and optional gas thrusters. The two-seat Performance targets 0 to 96 kmph in under 1.6 seconds – aided by four suction fans behind the rear axle. The Thrust adds four rear-facing nitrogen thrusters fed by a 200-litre pressure vessel and targets under 0.9 seconds. The single-seat Rocket adds six more nozzles and another 400 litres of storage for ten thrusters and 600 litres in total. Furthermore, Tesla quotes under 0.59 seconds and a top speed of over 370 kmph for Rocket.
The fans produce downforce by extracting air from beneath the chassis as deployable skirts restrict incoming airflow. The thrusters instead generate forward thrust and, in Rocket, lift and directional control. The Texas demonstration showed a prototype climb an inverted ramp and briefly leave the ground. Nevertheless, the maneuvers do not establish sustained flight and Rocket is not approved for public-road travel.
The Indian Performance reservation requires an initial Rs. 5,01,000 payment and Rs. 45,05,000 for the Thrust today while the due within ten days is Rs. 45 lakh and Rs. 2.45 crore respectively taking the total to just over Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 2.50 crore in booking alone. The first instalment is refundable but Tesla identifies modification payments as non-refundable. The Thrust has limited availability and Rocket is invite-only. The manufacturer has not announced Indian delivery dates or final prices for individual configurations.
On the other hand, the Model Y L now accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.5 seconds as Tesla introduces complimentary Acceleration Boost. The six-seat SUV starts at Rs. 61.99 lakh and has a WLTP range of up to 681 km while the five-seat Model Y starts at Rs. 50.89 lakh. Additionally, Tesla advertises respective starting EMIs of Rs. 49,990 and Rs. 39,990. The Indian charging network has 20 Supercharger stalls and 28 Destination Charger stalls, and three more sites are planned by the end of 2026.
