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News · Published 17 October 2026 · By Charge Drive Australia

Tesla Roadster revealed: what it means for Aussie EV drivers

Tesla finally pulled the covers off the new Roadster, almost nine years after it first showed a concept and started taking deposits. It drives upside down, it does a "kick flip" over a truck, and it uses SpaceX-developed cold-gas thrusters. Here's what's actually confirmed, what it means for Australia, and how you can drive a Tesla this week instead of in 2028 or later.

The quick facts (Tesla's claims)

  • Revealed: 15 October 2026 US time (16 October in Australia), at SpaceX's McGregor test site in Texas.
  • Three versions: Performance (two seats, active aero and a fan "suction" system), Thrust (adds rear acceleration thrusters) and Rocket (one seat, full thruster "flight" system, invite-only and not approved for public road use).
  • 0–96 km/h (0–60 mph): under 1.6 s (Performance), under 0.9 s (Thrust), under 0.59 s (Rocket). A live run at the reveal recorded a claimed 0.81 s.
  • Top speed: more than 370 km/h.
  • Range: more than 480 km (test cycle not stated).
  • Downforce: up to 2G from the fan system. That's enough for it to drive upside down on a ramp at the reveal.
  • Production: due to start in 2028.
  • Price: final pricing hasn't been announced. US deposits are US$50,000 (Performance) and US$250,000 (Thrust).

Sources: EV Central (16 Oct 2026), Drive (16 Oct 2026), CBC News, Tesla. Links below.

Illustrated spec card: Tesla Roadster maker claims (0–96 km/h under 1.6 s Performance, under 0.9 s Thrust, under 0.59 s Rocket; 370+ km/h; 480+ km; A$66k deposit in Australia, A$7k refundable; production 2028) next to the Porsche Mission S concept (mostly TBA)
Maker claims. TBA = not yet published. Illustration, not a photo.

Can you buy one in Australia?

You can reserve one. Tesla Australia's reservation page asks for an initial A$7,000 card payment plus a A$59,000 bank transfer within 10 days, so A$66,000 in total. The A$7,000 is labelled "fully refundable". What you can't get yet is an Australian price or a delivery date. Tesla Australia hasn't confirmed local pricing or timing. Drive also points out the deposit only gives you "approximate priority", with no firm promise yet of right-hand drive.

How it compares with the 2017 promise

Back in 2017 Tesla promised 0–96 km/h in 1.9 s, more than 400 km/h, 1,000 km of range and deliveries in 2020. The new claims are quicker off the line, but range is now quoted as "more than 480 km", and the official top speed (370+ km/h) is lower than the 2017 claim. Tesla also has a long record of missing launch dates, so 2028 is a target, not a promise.

The twist: it's the car you drive yourself

Elon Musk says that long term, the Roadster will be the only manually driven car Tesla makes, with the rest of the range leaning on self-driving tech. Meanwhile, here in Australia today, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is available on eligible Teslas. It's a driver-assistance system that needs an attentive driver ready to take over at any time, and it doesn't make the car autonomous.

Want a Tesla before 2028?

Fair enough, A$66k is a big deposit for a car with no Australian price. You can drive a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y around Brisbane this week on prepaid km instead:

  • 9,000 km for A$1,990 incl. GST (about 22c a km), with no bond
  • Unlock with your phone, and top up whenever you like
  • Or go Premium: a brand-new 2027 Tesla, 9,000 km from A$4,190. FSD Option Now Available: add FSD (Supervised) as an extra subscription on top of your prepaid km. You stay attentive and in control.

It won't do 0–96 in 0.59 seconds. It will get you to work, the airport and the coast without a servo in sight.

Drive a Tesla now: apply →See prepaid km plans →

Roadster FAQs

When does the new Tesla Roadster come out?

Tesla says production starts in 2028. There's no confirmed Australian delivery date.

How much is the Tesla Roadster in Australia?

There's no Australian price yet. Reserving one costs A$7,000 by card plus A$59,000 by bank transfer (A$66,000 total).

How fast is the new Tesla Roadster?

Tesla claims 0–96 km/h in under 1.6 s (Performance), under 0.9 s (Thrust) and under 0.59 s (Rocket), and a top speed of more than 370 km/h.

Can the Tesla Roadster really fly?

Tesla showed the single-seat Rocket version jumping and flipping with thrusters. It's invite-only and Tesla says it's not approved for public road use.

Sources (checked 17 October 2026)

Specs are manufacturer claims, reported by the outlets above. Charge Drive Australia isn't affiliated with Tesla, Inc.