Can you book the flying Tesla Roadster in India? Here's all you need to know

Tesla has opened Roadster reservations in India, with payments reaching Rs 2.50 crore for the Thrust variant. However, deliveries, final pricing and right-hand-drive production remain unconfirmed.

Tesla has opened reservations for the Roadster in India, bringing its rocket-assisted electric sports car a step closer to prospective buyers in the country. However, getting a place in the queue will require a lot of money, with reservation payments climbing to over Rs 2.5 crore for the Thrust configuration. While the car has grabbed attention for its claimed supercar-beating performance and the possibility of aerial manoeuvres, several questions remain unanswered, including its final India price and delivery timeline.

Tesla Roadster India bookings: How much do you need to pay?

The reservation process for the Roadster is now listed on Tesla's Indian website, with different payment requirements depending on the configuration selected. The Performance variant requires an initial payment of Rs 5.01 lakh, followed by Rs 45.05 lakh within 10 days. This brings the total reservation amount to Rs 50.06 lakh.

For the more specialised Thrust configuration, the initial payment remains Rs 5.01 lakh, but customers must pay an additional Rs 2,45,24,000 within the same 10-day window. The total reservation amount consequently stands at Rs 2,50,25,000, or approximately Rs 2.50 crore.

It is important to note that these figures represent reservation payments and not the final purchase price of the Roadster. Tesla identifies the initial Rs 5.01 lakh payment as fully refundable. Reservations are also subject to the terms specified by the company, with bookings potentially cancelled if the subsequent payment is not completed within 10 days. The Thrust configuration is limited to one order per customer, and its availability will depend on applicable local laws and regulatory approvals.

Tesla Roadster variants explained: Performance, Thrust and Rocket

Tesla has outlined three configurations for the Roadster, each offering a different level of performance and technology.

The Performance variant serves as the starting point, featuring a two-seat layout, active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system intended to generate additional downforce. Unlike the more expensive configurations, it does not come with rocket-style acceleration thrusters.

The Thrust version adds acceleration boosters to the package. Tesla describes it as a race-ready configuration, combining the car's performance-focused hardware with thrusters designed to deliver additional acceleration. Its availability, however, is subject to local regulations, which could affect whether the system can be offered in India.

At the top of the range is the Rocket variant, which takes the concept considerably further. It is configured as a single-seater and features 10 thrusters as part of what Tesla calls a full flight system. The system uses compressed gas, with onboard compressors designed to replenish the supply. Unlike the other configurations, Rocket is available by invitation only, and Tesla's Indian reservation page does not display a booking amount for it.

Can the Tesla Roadster actually fly?

The Roadster's most talked-about feature is its proposed ability to perform aerial manoeuvres using its thruster system. During its presentation in Texas, the car was shown performing dramatic stunts, including an airborne barrel roll and a jump over a semi-truck. These demonstrations have fuelled speculation about how far Tesla intends to push the limits of an electric sports car.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also claimed a 0–100kmph acceleration time of just 0.81 seconds. This remains a manufacturer claim rather than an independently verified production-car result. The final performance figures and the capabilities of the thruster system will need to be assessed against the production vehicle when it becomes available.

The distinction between the three configurations is particularly important here. The standard Performance version does not get thrusters, while Thrust adds acceleration boosters. The Rocket variant is the one associated with the full flight system. Consequently, reserving a Roadster does not automatically mean securing the technology responsible for its most spectacular demonstrations.

Tesla Roadster India launch and delivery timeline

Despite opening reservations in India, Tesla has not announced a confirmed delivery date for Indian customers. The company says production is scheduled to begin in 2028, initially with left-hand-drive vehicles only. There is currently no announced timeline for right-hand-drive production.

This is a significant consideration for Indian buyers, as the market uses right-hand-drive vehicles. The opening of reservations does not, by itself, confirm when deliveries will begin, which configurations will be approved for sale or what specifications the Indian-market car will receive.

The Roadster's final Indian pricing also remains unannounced. The reservation amounts should therefore not be interpreted as the total cost of ownership or as confirmation of the eventual ex-showroom price. The availability of the Thrust and Rocket systems will depend on the applicable regulatory framework as well.

Tesla Model Y L gets complimentary Acceleration Boost

Alongside the Roadster reservation announcement, Tesla India has introduced a complimentary Acceleration Boost upgrade for the six-seat Model Y L. According to the company, the upgrade enables the electric SUV to accelerate from 0–100kmph in 4.5 seconds. The Model Y L also has a claimed WLTP range of up to 681km.

While the Model Y L update concerns a vehicle already offered in Tesla's lineup, the Roadster remains a longer-term proposition.

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