Tesla has finally shown its redesigned Roadster after years of delays, but this is not an ordinary electric sports car. The new model blends battery-electric driving with SpaceX-inspired hardware, including cold-gas thrusters and a suction system designed to improve grip and extreme performance.

Tesla says production is expected to begin in 2028. The Roadster will be a halo car, meaning a low-volume vehicle created to showcase the company’s most ambitious technology rather than to generate large sales volumes.

What powers the Tesla Roadster

The Roadster is an electric vehicle. Its main source of energy is electricity stored in a rechargeable battery pack. Like other Tesla vehicles, it does not use petrol or diesel to power the wheels.

Tesla has not provided a final battery capacity or detailed battery chemistry for the redesigned Roadster. That means it is too early to make firm claims about charging time, battery size, or real-world efficiency.

Some versions will add another unusual feature – cold-gas thrusters. These are not petrol-powered rocket engines. They use compressed gas stored at high pressure to create short bursts of force. Tesla and SpaceX engineers developed the system to improve acceleration, cornering, and in the most extreme version, limited flight-style movement.

The advanced technology inside the Roadster

The Roadster’s main technology story is its mix of electric power and aerospace-inspired hardware.

Tesla has shown a suction system that helps pull the car closer to the road. This can increase grip, especially during hard acceleration, braking, and cornering. Think of it as creating extra downward force without depending only on large wings or spoilers.

The Thrust version will add acceleration thrusters at the rear. Tesla says the redesigned Roadster can reach 0-60 mph in less than one second with its advanced performance setup.

Tesla is also listing a Rocket version. This single-seat model is described as having a full flight system. However, Tesla says the flying version is not approved for public roads. Its availability may also depend on local laws and regulations.

These features make the Roadster very different from electric performance cars such as the Rimac Nevera, Lotus Evija, and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Those rivals focus on electric motors, batteries, advanced software, and aerodynamics. Tesla is attempting to add propulsion technology normally associated with spacecraft.

What is the expected driving range

Tesla says the new Roadster will travel more than 300 miles, or over 480 km, on one charge. This is the latest figure announced at the October 2026 reveal event.

Earlier Roadster material on Tesla’s website promoted a 620-mile range claim. The new figure is much lower, which shows why buyers should be cautious with early specifications. Final range can change before production, and real driving range will depend on speed, weather, road conditions, tyre choice, and use of performance features.

For a high-performance electric sports car, 300-plus miles would still be a strong figure. But it is no longer the record-setting 620-mile promise associated with the earlier Roadster concept.

What will the Tesla Roadster cost

Tesla has not announced a final launch price for the redesigned Roadster.

The company had previously mentioned a base price of $200,000 when it revealed an earlier Roadster concept in 2017. That old figure should now be treated as historical information, not a confirmed 2028 price.

Tesla’s latest reservation page shows a $50,000 deposit for the Performance version and a $250,000 deposit for the Thrust version (subject to change). A deposit is not necessarily the final price. Buyers should wait for Tesla to publish official prices, specifications, and delivery terms.

For Indian buyers, an on-road price cannot be estimated reliably until Tesla confirms the model’s price, import route, local availability, and applicable duties.

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Disclaimer

Tesla Roadster specifications, range claims, production timelines, feature availability, road-legal status, reservation terms, and final pricing may change before launch. The information in this article is based on public announcements and reports available at the time of writing. It is for general information only and should not be treated as a purchase recommendation, investment advice, or confirmation of final vehicle specifications.

Hyundai Motor Group is making one of its biggest long-term bets on India. The South Korean auto group has announced a $15.5 billion investment plan for the country between 2026 and 2032.

The headline figure is large, but one detail stands out. Hyundai plans to direct around 20 percent of the investment, or roughly $3.1 billion, toward new businesses that include artificial intelligence, venture investments, and startups.

This signals that Hyundai sees India as more than a market for selling cars. It wants the country to become a manufacturing, engineering, technology, and mobility base for the group.

How Hyundai plans to use the $15.5B investment

Hyundai says the seven-year investment will cover manufacturing expansion, research and development, supplier development, localized parts production, and future technology.

According to Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon, about 60 percent of the total investment will be used to upgrade existing facilities and expand production capacity. That works out to approximately $9.3 billion.

As per Yonhap News, around 20 percent, or about $3.1 billion, is planned for new business areas such as AI, venture investment, and startups. The remaining share is expected to support research and development and related areas as per the reports.

Hyundai also plans to establish a dedicated investment entity in India, called HMG India, to coordinate these investments.

Why AI and startups matter to Hyundai

Cars are changing quickly. Modern vehicles are no longer only mechanical products. They increasingly depend on software, connected services, digital displays, battery systems, advanced safety features, and data.

AI can help Hyundai in many ways. It can support factory automation, predict maintenance needs, improve quality checks, analyze supply-chain risks, and create smarter in-car features. In the future, AI could also play a bigger role in driver-assistance systems, connected vehicles, mobility platforms, and charging networks.

Startup partnerships may help Hyundai move faster in these areas. Instead of developing every technology internally, the company can work with young firms building solutions in electric mobility, battery technology, vehicle software, AI tools, recycling, charging, logistics, and hydrogen.

Hyundai had already launched its Innovation Challenge 2026 in India to work with startups in fields such as electrification, connectivity, advanced driver-assistance systems, AI-led tools, and next-generation vehicle technology.

A bigger push for local manufacturing

The majority of Hyundai’s proposed investment will still go into its core automobile business. That includes factory upgrades, higher production capacity, local supplier development, and vehicle manufacturing.

This is important because India is both a major vehicle market and a possible export base. Localizing more parts can reduce dependence on imports, improve supply-chain control, and make vehicles more competitive on price.

Hyundai has also said it will explore opportunities in EV charging, automotive financing, end-of-life vehicle recycling, and other mobility-linked services. These areas could create new business opportunities beyond car sales.

Competition will shape the strategy

Hyundai’s India plan comes as competition becomes stronger. Maruti Suzuki remains a major force in passenger vehicles, while Tata Motors has built a strong presence in electric vehicles. Mahindra is expanding its EV ambitions, and global brands such as Kia, Toyota, MG, and BMW are also increasing their technology focus.

For Hyundai, investing only in factories may not be enough. It needs stronger local technology partnerships, faster software development, competitive EV products, and a reliable charging ecosystem.

The AI and startup allocation does not guarantee success. Hyundai will need to choose useful technologies, support promising founders, and turn pilots into products that customers actually want.

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