# Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster Prototype With 2028 Target

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/tesla-unveils-flying-roadster-prototype-with-2028-target-d56444
- Published: 2026-10-16T03:52:55Z
- Category: company_news; sentiment: mixed; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:TSLA](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-TSLA)
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Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) chief executive Elon Musk revealed the company's next-generation Roadster during a live demonstration featuring cold-gas thrusters that permitted short autonomous flights and maneuvers. Shares rose nearly 3% in overnight trading following the event, after closing down 1.29% at $362.40 during regular trading hours.

The prototype vehicle incorporates cold-gas propulsion technology developed alongside SpaceX, with higher-end variants offering thrust nozzles and active aerodynamics. Market observers expressed mixed views on the reveal, highlighting concerns over street-legal feasibility and commercial scale. Reservation costs range from $50,000 for the Performance model to $250,000 for the limited Thrust edition, though Tesla noted reservations do not guarantee vehicle delivery dates or final pricing.

Investors will watch whether Tesla can achieve its updated 2028 production target, which sits eight years past its initial timeline. Regulatory approval remains another key factor, as the current prototype is not approved for public road usage and requires regional legal clearance.

## Key points

- Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) demonstrated its next-generation Roadster featuring SpaceX-derived cold-gas thrusters for brief autonomous flight.
- Chief Executive Elon Musk announced a revised production goal of 2028, eight years after the original target date.
- Reservations require payments up to $250,000, though the vehicle is not currently approved for public road use.

## Questions and answers

### When is the new Tesla Roadster scheduled for production?

Tesla has set a target production date of 2028, approximately 11 years after its initial unveiling and eight years behind its original 2020 target.

### How much is the reservation fee for the Tesla Roadster?

Tesla requires a $50,000 reservation payment for the Performance model and $250,000 for the limited Thrust edition, with $5,000 due upfront.