Tesla Roadster bookings open in India, Thrust reservation is ₹2.50 crore

Indian customers can now reserve the Tesla Roadster on Tesla's website. The Thrust version needs a total reservation payment of ₹2.50 crore. That is only the booking token, not the final retail price of the car.

Two versions are open to bookings, Performance and Thrust. A third, the Rocket, is invite-only.

How the reservation works

The reservation is made in two payments. The first payment of ₹5.01 lakh is fully refundable, according to Tesla. The reservation is confirmed only after both payments are completed. If the remaining amount is not paid within 10 days, the reservation may be cancelled.

• Performance: ₹5.01 lakh first, ₹45.05 lakh second, ₹50.06 lakh in total
• Thrust: ₹5.01 lakh first, ₹2,45,24,000 second, ₹2,50,25,000 in total
• Rocket: invite-only, no amount specified

Thrust and the 0 to 100 kmph claim

Tesla says the Thrust version can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in under one second. The Thrust configuration depends on local laws and regulatory requirements, and its thruster equipment may not be offered in markets where it is not permitted. Thrust is limited to one order per customer.

Seats and features

The Performance and Thrust versions have two seats, while the Rocket is designed for a single occupant. The features listed so far are:

• Active aerodynamics
• Steer-by-wire steering technology
• Concealed headlights
• Acceleration thrusters on the Thrust
• Full flight system on the Rocket

What is still not known

Tesla has not announced the final India pricing or when deliveries will begin. The complete mechanical specifications have not been released either. Battery capacity, motor output and driving range are all yet to be announced.

Production and what it means for buyers

Tesla plans to begin Roadster production globally in 2028, initially with left-hand-drive vehicles. No timeline has been announced for a right-hand-drive version. For an Indian buyer, the reservation is a place in the queue and not a purchase price. Since the first payment is refundable, the real commitment is the second payment, and it has to be made within 10 days.