Physix Frontier · News Briefing Card (IT Home · Oct 16, 2026)

Tesla Unveils 2nd-Gen Roadster, 2028 Production, $46K Deposit

KEY FACTS

Tesla unveiled the second-generation Roadster on October 16, demonstrating a brief flight effect.
Musk announced that production of the car will begin in 2028.
The Performance version requires a 332,000 yuan reservation deposit and seats two people.
The vehicle achieves flight using underbody fans and SpaceX cold-gas thrusters.
During the demo, the car flew over several Tesla models including the Cybercab.

KEY DATA

332,000 yuanReservation deposit

2028Production timeline

4-5xThrust-to-grip ratio

PHYSIX OBSERVATION

Tesla is using a flight demo to build hype for the Roadster, but 2028 production and optional thrusters mean real-world arrival is still far off. For the industry, this looks more like a technical muscle-flex, a reminder to rivals that electric supercar competition will extend toward active aerodynamics and cross-domain propulsion; for buyers, the 332,000 yuan deposit buys a futures contract, and they should be wary of delay risk.

Source: IT Home report