Tesla has begun accepting pre-orders for its new Roadster in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This electric supercar, which demonstrated the ability to move upside down and potentially fly, was presented by Elon Musk during a recent demonstration in Texas.
The long-awaited vehicle, featuring gravitational counteraction, has appeared in the 'Vehicles' section of the Tesla website for the UAE. Customers can choose from two available options by placing a deposit ranging from 210,000 to 1.02 million dirhams. It is important to note that these amounts are only deposits for reservation, not the final selling price.
According to the Roadster Reservation Agreement, Tesla continues to work on the car's options, features, and hardware, so it cannot confirm the final cost. The final price will be determined after customers configure their vehicles.
There is also a third option, which Tesla claims can fly, but it is available only by invitation. The booking page in the UAE presents two options with different specifications and deposit amounts:
The first option, named 'Performance', is described as 'road-ready'. This two-seater vehicle is equipped with active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system designed to improve handling and grip. To reserve it, the buyer must pay an initial deposit of 20,000 dirhams, which is fully refundable, followed by another 190,000 dirhams within 10 days. The total reservation amount is 210,000 dirhams.
The second option, 'Thrust', is positioned as 'race-ready'. This limited two-seater vehicle includes all the features of the Performance version, plus boosters that, according to Tesla, allow the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under one second. Buyers need to pay an initial deposit of 20,000 dirhams (also fully refundable), followed by 1 million dirhams within 10 days. The total reservation amount reaches 1.02 million dirhams. Due to limited availability, Tesla has restricted reservations to one per customer.
The agreement stipulates that the reservation becomes valid only after the company receives full payment, including the amount due within 10 days, and confirmation of the booking via email. Furthermore, reserving the Roadster does not constitute an actual order or purchase of the vehicle; it merely secures a provisional priority spot, and buyers are invited to configure their cars and complete the purchase closer to production. If a purchase is made, the entire deposited reservation amount will be deducted from the final vehicle price.
For those unsatisfied with the upside-down movement capabilities and acceleration to 100 km/h in under a second, Tesla offers the flying Roadster. This third version, named 'Rocket', is described by the company as 'flight-ready'.
This single-seater vehicle combines the characteristics of the two previous models with what Tesla calls a 'full flight system'. Unlike the Thrust version, which has rear boosters, the Rocket is equipped with cold gas thrusters located around the body. Tesla claims that these thrusters allow the vehicle to gain altitude and forward momentum, as well as rotate sideways during flight. The thrusters make microscopic adjustments in fractions of a second to stabilize the apparatus in the air. Tesla concludes with the statement: 'Yes, it can fly.'
However, there is a condition: simply visiting the website and making a reservation is not possible. Tesla has marked Rocket as 'By Invitation Only', meaning potential buyers must receive an invitation to reserve the most extreme version of the Roadster. The reservation amount for this model is not specified.
Tesla explicitly states that Rocket is not approved for use on public roads. The company also notes that the configuration is not available in all regions, and its presence depends on local laws and regulations. The main unresolved question remains when delivery will actually take place. The Roadster Reservation Agreement acknowledges that the vehicle is still under development, stating that 'we cannot guarantee when your vehicle will actually be delivered.' The agreement states: 'No delivery date is offered, implied, or guaranteed,' and adds that the company is not responsible for delays.
Musk previously stated that production of the redesigned Roadster would begin in 2028, but Tesla has not yet announced the start of deliveries. The Roadster is one of Tesla's most anticipated vehicles since the first presentation of the second generation in 2017.