Tesla’s next-generation Roadster switches to dual-motor rear-wheel drive, targets weight below 1,700kg
The new car adopts an 800-volt battery system and aluminium-cased 4680 cells, with Performance, Thrust and invitation-only Rocket versions; some performance figures remain targets.
Roadster switches to dual-motor rear-wheel drive, targets weight below 1.7 tonnes
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) unveiled the next-generation Roadster at SpaceX's test site in McGregor, Texas, on October 15. Lars Moravy, Tesla's vice-president of vehicle engineering, confirmed in a Hagerty interview recorded a day before the event that the sports car has two motors mounted on the rear axle and no front motor. Tesla claims output of more than 1 megawatt, or about 1,341 horsepower — roughly 30 per cent higher than the 1,020 horsepower produced by the three-motor all-wheel-drive Model S Plaid.
From three-motor all-wheel drive to dual-motor rear-wheel drive
The Roadster first shown in 2017 used three-motor all-wheel drive, with one motor at the front and two at the rear. The Model S Plaid uses the same one-front, two-rear layout. In the new car, the two motors are housed in a single rear drive unit, each with its own inverter. There is no differential; instead, a planetary gearset with an 8.4 ratio drives the left and right rear wheels separately. The Hagerty presenter described the rear-wheel-drive-only layout as unexpected.
Tesla says the new car produces more than 1,400Nm of torque. The Model S Plaid is rated at about 1,050lb-ft, or roughly 1,424Nm, putting the two cars in the same range. Tesla executives have also previously mentioned a peak output of 1,500 horsepower.
However, the output figures do not appear to be the same for every version. Top Gear reported that the standard version is estimated at about 800kW, while MotorTrend said Tesla has not confirmed whether that version will enter production. Tesla's reservation page currently lists only the Performance, Thrust and Rocket versions.
Aluminium-cased 4680 battery: weight savings focused on the battery pack
On the battery, Moravy said the new car uses 4680 cylindrical cells developed specifically for the Roadster:
- The casing uses aluminium instead of steel and features cooling on both sides.
- The battery pack's upper cover is made of titanium and the lower cover of aluminium. According to Moravy, the titanium panel is thinner and lighter than a conventional steel panel.
- The voltage is around 800 volts. Top Gear quoted Moravy as saying it would be between 800 and 1,000 volts.
- The target is to charge from 15 per cent to 80 per cent in about 10 minutes.
- Range is claimed to exceed 300 miles, or about 483km. Battery capacity has not been disclosed, although MotorTrend reported that it would be more than 100kWh.
Moravy said the final weight had yet to be announced and was currently estimated at "slightly below 1,700kg". The Model S Plaid weighs about 2.2 tonnes — Tesla's website lists 4,802lb — but it is a five-seat saloon, while the new car is a two-seat sports car, so the figures are not directly comparable.
Four versions reported, with many figures still targets
Reports say the Roadster will come in four versions. Tesla's reservation models are as follows:
| Version | Reservation price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | US$50,000 (about HK$390,000) | Officially listed with a 0-60mph time of under 1.6 seconds |
| Thrust | US$250,000 (about HK$1.95 million) | Additional rear cold-air thrusters; acceleration of under 0.9 seconds |
| Rocket | Invitation only | Single-seat, with 10 additional thrusters |
Tesla has not announced the price of any version.
The Rocket version uses compressed air, rather than nitrogen, to power its thrusters. Two carbon-fibre air tanks hold a combined 600 litres, carrying about 250kg of compressed air. MotorTrend reported that the tanks are pressurised to 10,000psi, or about 689 bar. Tesla said the car could refill the compressed air itself, but did not disclose how long this would take or how many consecutive uses would be possible.
On acceleration figures:
- Tesla officially lists the Rocket's 0-60mph time as under 0.59 seconds.
- Moravy mentioned 0.55 seconds in the interview, with the presenter saying this figure excluded the initial rollout distance.
- A video test shown at the event recorded 0.81 seconds, a figure that has not been independently verified.
Tesla said the Rocket version would not be approved for use on public roads. Asked about whether it could be legally driven on the road, Musk said it would depend on the street.
Production due in 2028, but uncertainty remains
The Roadster first appeared in 2017 and was originally scheduled for delivery in 2020. Musk said at Tesla's shareholder meeting in November 2025 that production would not begin until 2027 or 2028. At this event, he confirmed that production would start at the company's Texas Gigafactory in 2028.
Tesla's focus in recent years has shifted towards autonomous driving and robotics. Some analysts have questioned whether a halo car of this kind can create meaningful value for shareholders. Tesla is also due to announce its third-quarter results, which analysts say are more important to investors.