New Tesla Roadster with SpaceX Thrusters Opens at RM203,000

The new Tesla Roadster is an ultra-high-performance all-electric sports car manufactured by Tesla, Inc., featuring integrated SpaceX cold-gas thruster technology and an underbody fan ground-effect system. Designed to push the physical boundaries of battery-electric vehicle performance, the sports car addresses the extreme supercar tier for collectors and track enthusiasts in Malaysia. Bookings for the Malaysian market are officially accessible via Tesla, with booking fees starting from RM203,000 for the Performance variant. Compatible with standard Malaysian 240V three-phase home AC wallbox setups, the vehicle offers three distinct tiers: Performance, Thrust, and the invitation-only single-seat Rocket variant capable of short unassisted flight manoeuvres.

Key Facts

The new Tesla Roadster represents Tesla's flagship high-performance electric sports car line, featuring optional SpaceX cold-gas thrusters and undercarriage vacuum fan systems. Malaysian customer reservations officially opened in October 2026 with a staggered booking structure, leading up to a global production rollout scheduled to commence in 2028 across three configurations.

Tesla Roadster reservations in Malaysia require a base booking fee starting at RM203,000 for the road-oriented Performance variant.

What Are the Performance and Acceleration Specifications of the New Tesla Roadster?

The new Tesla Roadster Thrust variant achieves an acceleration time from 0 to 97 km/j (0 to 60 mph) in under one second. Equipped with an underbody vacuum fan capable of generating up to 2g of suction downforce alongside auxiliary SpaceX thrusters, the vehicle delivers track speeds exceeding 370 km/j.

During the official unveiling on 15 October 2026 at the SpaceX testing centre in McGregor, Texas, Tesla demonstrated the sports car performing on a half-loop track before executing an aerial spin manoeuvre over a lineup of Tesla vehicles, including the Tesla Semi. The underfloor suction fan is engineered to pull the vehicle directly onto the tarmac surface, counteracting aerodynamic lift and stabilising high-speed cornering, while the gas thrusters supply extra propulsion for rapid acceleration bursts.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk stated that the vehicle is designed to exceed 370 km/j, citing an engineering objective representing "half the speed of sound or 618 km/j, though that figure remains a development target rather than a confirmed performance metric."

The sub-one-second 0–97 km/j benchmark significantly improves upon the 1.9-second sprint time originally quoted during the preliminary showcase of the second-generation Roadster.

The twin-seat Tesla Roadster Thrust variant achieves 0 to 97 km/j acceleration in under one second using supplementary SpaceX thrusters.

What Are the Three Tesla Roadster Variants and Their Capabilities?

Tesla offers the new Roadster in three distinct specifications: the dual-seat road-oriented Performance, the limited twin-seat Thrust with enhanced acceleration thrusters, and the invitation-only single-seat Rocket variant. The Rocket model incorporates an unassisted flight propulsion system designed strictly for non-highway usage and closed-course operation.

The vehicle's exterior architecture showcases a low-slung stance with a sharply tapered front fascia, aggressive aerodynamic body lines, gullwing doors, and a steering yoke. Tesla has configured each trim level for distinct operating requirements:

• Performance: A two-seat configuration engineered strictly for road-going use and everyday highway driving.
• Thrust: A limited-production two-seat variant incorporating auxiliary rocket thrusters for extreme acceleration.
• Rocket: A single-seat variant featuring dedicated thruster flight packages, available solely by exclusive Tesla invitation.

To accommodate the physical hardware of the flight system, the Rocket edition eliminates passenger seating entirely, restricting accommodation to the driver. Elon Musk acknowledged that deployment of the rocket and flight mechanics will not be legally sanctioned on all public thoroughfares, making active operation contingent on domestic transport and airspace regulations in each respective market.

The single-passenger Tesla Roadster Rocket variant features a dedicated flight system and is accessible strictly through exclusive invitations from Tesla.

How Much Does Booking the Tesla Roadster Cost in Malaysia?

Securing a Tesla Roadster allocation in Malaysia requires an initial reservation payment of RM21,000, with the remaining booking balance payable within a mandatory ten-day window. SoyaCincau reports that total booking costs reach RM203,000 for the Performance model and RM1,009,000 for the limited Thrust variant.

Local customers looking to reserve either the Performance or Thrust variant must make an immediate upfront commitment of RM21,000 upon submitting their booking request. The outstanding balance of RM182,000 for the Performance or RM988,000 for the Thrust must be fully settled prior to the expiry of the 10-day settlement window. Tesla specifies that these deposits constitute booking fees to secure a production priority queue rather than the complete retail transaction price. Final purchase prices will be confirmed individually when prospective owners receive invitations to configure their vehicle specifications.

Tesla aims to start production of the new Roadster in 2028, though the company explicitly cautions that placing a booking deposit does not guarantee delivery within that calendar year.

Malaysian buyers must settle a preliminary RM21,000 deposit followed by the remaining booking fee balance within 10 days to secure a Tesla Roadster queue position.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

The Tesla Roadster targets ultra-high-net-worth Malaysian collectors, track enthusiasts, and pioneering electric vehicle owners residing in private landed estates equipped with multi-phase electrical infrastructure. Given its ground-effect aerodynamics, low ride clearance, and substantial reservation costs, the supercar demands dedicated charging facilities and closed-course environments like Sepang International Circuit.

In local environments, prospective owners must evaluate several practical conditions:

• Residential Infrastructure: Optimal ownership requires landed residences (e.g., bungalows in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor) equipped with 240V single-phase or 415V three-phase AC supplies capable of handling dedicated high-amperage wallbox hardware. Compact urban high-rise condominiums pose physical constraints due to steep parking ramps risking damage to low-profile ground-effect diffusers.
• Tropical Climate Durability: The underbody suction fan system provides significant high-downforce stability on wet surfaces during tropical monsoon rainfall, reducing aquaplaning risks during closed-circuit track sessions.
• Local Regulatory Limitations: The standard Performance model aligns with Road Transport Department (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan / JPJ) road-registration guidelines, whereas the non-road-legal thrusters of the Thrust and Rocket versions remain restricted to closed testing tracks and private properties.

Due to low front ground clearance and specialised high-voltage charging demands, the Tesla Roadster is best suited for landed residences in Malaysia with multi-phase 240V power.

Common Questions

Prospective Malaysian buyers frequently enquire about the reservation financial structure, road-legal status of the thruster packages, and projected delivery schedules for the new Tesla Roadster. Below are verified answers based on official Tesla announcements and reporting by Careta and SoyaCincau for local automotive consumers.

How much is the initial deposit to reserve a Tesla Roadster in Malaysia?

Reserving a Tesla Roadster in Malaysia requires an immediate initial deposit of RM21,000 for both Performance and Thrust variants. Buyers must settle the outstanding balance of the total booking fee within a strict 10-day period to maintain their vehicle reservation queue.

Are the SpaceX thruster systems road legal for daily driving?

Tesla clarified that the SpaceX rocket thruster and flight systems are not designed or homologated for standard highway driving. Operational permissions remain subject to regional transport authorities, restricting thruster-assisted acceleration and levitation mechanics primarily to controlled, closed-circuit track environments.

When will the new Tesla Roadster enter production and delivery?

Tesla aims to commence production of the new Roadster in 2028. However, Tesla explicitly notes that placing an official reservation deposit now does not guarantee delivery within that initial production year, with final delivery schedules dependent on global manufacturing ramp-up timelines.

Sources and Methodology

This analysis derives directly from official release data published by Tesla during its McGregor, Texas launch event, alongside reporting from automotive outlet Careta and Malaysian tech portal SoyaCincau. All figures, including local reservation fees and engineering claims, reflect confirmed press disclosures without external metric extrapolation.

Specific attribution and contextual methodology include:

• Primary event report: Tesla Roadster Baharu Dilancarkan, Tempahan Malaysia Bermula RM203,000 by Qalif Latif, published on Careta (16 October 2026).
• Regional reservation data: SoyaCincau reporting covering local booking structures and deposit requirements in Ringgit Malaysia (RM).
• Financial standards: All figures are cited in original RM booking denominations as stated by official sources; no secondary foreign currency conversions were applied.
• Localisation parameters: Metric measurements (km/j) and standard British English terminology applied for Malaysian technical readers.

This article was last updated on 16 October 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against Careta and SoyaCincau.

Official Malaysian booking figures for the Tesla Roadster are directly referenced from SoyaCincau reporting without currency conversion adjustments.