Tesla Roadster Bookings Open in India for ₹50 Lakh; Model Y L Gets Free Acceleration Boost Update

The booking amount goes up to ₹2.5 crore for the Thrust variant, and there's no price yet for the invite-only top-end "air ready" Rocket variant.

Tesla finally unveiled its new Roadster this week, after nearly a decade of promises and delays. By far, the highlight of the launch event was a demonstration vehicle driving up a curved ramp till it was upside down, then launching itself into the air and deploying thrusters to flip around and land safely on the ground. 

While this has set off intense celebration among fans, the car is still nowhere near launch and there’s no information yet about when it will actually reach customers in the USA, let alone export markets. Production is targeted to begin in 2028 at the company's Texas facility, and only left-hand-drive units will roll out at first, which means prospective Indian buyers will have a very long wait.  

Tesla Roadster Price in India and Variants

Even so, India is one of the countries in which it is already possible to pre-book a Roadster, making it the third model listed here after the original Model Y and the larger Model Y L, before even the anticipated arrival of the Model 3. Three equipment tier options are listed: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket. Interested speculators can pay to reserve either of the first two, while the latter is listed as “Invite Only”. There will also be a standard base Roadster variant.

The Performance variant is Tesla’s standard Roadster, with two seats, “active aero” and a “multi-mode suction system”. This uses a fan and ground sealing to generate downforce, which the company says creates enough suction to keep the car steady on any surface, even upside down. Reservation costs ₹5.01 lakhs immediately, and buyers will have to pay an additional ₹45.05 lakhs within 10 days, taking the total to ₹50.06 lakhs.

The Thrust variant is listed as “race ready” and comes with cold-gas “acceleration thrusters” on the rear in addition to the same active aero and multi-mode suction system. The same ₹5.01 lakhs is payable immediately, but the additional pre-booking amount due within 10 days is a staggering ₹2,45,24,000, which adds up to just over ₹2.5 crore.

The “air ready” Roadster Rocket will have only a single seat and a “full flight system”, including the same thrusters on the rear as well as corners and front to propel it upwards and control stability and orientation. The company notes that this is not approved for use on public roads. Prices have not been publicised, but this variant will undoubtedly cost much more when or if it ever goes on sale here.

Prices as listed today are not likely to be the final prices of the Roadster several years from now. The initial booking amount is fully refundable but the booking page also says refunds will not be issued for order modification. Payments on the Tesla India website are accepted via credit card or UPI.

Tesla Roadster Specifications and Features

Inspired by stealth fighter aircraft, the revived Tesla Roadster is described as “a true pilot’s car”, and the company goes on to say it will “unlock a new dimension of driving”. CEO Elon Musk has said it will be “sentient” when it is actually launched.

The two-seat or single-seat Roadster will have two electric motors, each with its own inverter. The Roadster is designed using up to a 1000V architecture. The standard variant delivers up to 1MW, or roughly 1,340 hp. Top speed is around 344 kmph.

Only basic specifications have been released so far, including things like “super-light wheels with thin spokes” and a “next-gen steer-by-wire system”. The Roadster weighs approximately 1,680 kg without the higher variants’ add-ons. Range is estimated to be around 500 km, with a 10-85 percent charge possible in 10 minutes.

The company has released acceleration figures: zero to 100 mph (161 km) in 1.6 seconds for the Performance version, 0.85 seconds for the Thrust option, and 0.59 seconds for the “Rocket” kit.

In terms of design, there are active aerodynamic elements all over the car’s body. It will be made using titanium, magnesium and carbon fibre to control weight. The interior is white and grey, with a large central touchscreen and two smaller driver’s displays. The Roadster has scissor-style doors and and gold-tinted windows.

Tesla Model YL Gets Improved Acceleration

Meanwhile, the far more accessible Tesla Model Y L has been updated with a new Acceleration Boost capability, which means it can go from zero to 100 kmph in 4.5 seconds. The Model Y L starts at ₹61.99 lakh in India (ex-showroom), while the standard Model Y starts at ₹50.89 lakh, just slightly more than the Roadster’s booking fee.