Tesla has opened reservations for its long-awaited second-generation Roadster in Malaysia, giving local buyers the opportunity to secure a place in line for an electric sports car promising supercar-rivalling performance and technology inspired by SpaceX.
However, interested buyers should take note of two things – the reservation payments are substantial, and Tesla has yet to confirm the Roadster’s final purchase price.
Tesla Roadster Malaysia reservation fees
The Roadster is listed in three configurations, with the reservation amounts as follows:
- Roadster Performance: RM203,000
- Roadster Thrust: RM1,009,000
- Roadster Rocket: By invitation only
For the Performance and Thrust versions, customers initially pay RM21,000, followed by a further RM182,000 or RM988,000 respectively within 10 days.
These amounts are reservation payments, not the final prices of the cars. Tesla says the vehicle’s options, features and hardware are still being developed, with the final purchase price to be confirmed when customers are invited to configure their cars.
A reservation also does not constitute a confirmed vehicle order. Customers can cancel through their Tesla Account for a full refund, provided they have not configured the vehicle and entered into a final purchase agreement.
What makes the Tesla Roadster special?
First unveiled as a prototype in November 2017, the second-generation Roadster has faced repeated production delays. Tesla now targets production in 2028, although this remains a future target rather than a guaranteed delivery date.
The latest Roadster takes the electric sports car concept considerably further, with three configurations offering different levels of performance and technology.
The Roadster Performance features active aerodynamics and a multi-mode suction system. Electric fans beneath the car work with deployable skirts to create a low-pressure area underneath the body, increasing downforce and helping the tyres maintain grip.
Tesla claims the system can generate enough suction to hold the car upside down, while its active aerodynamic components can adjust to balance downforce and drag.
The Roadster Thrust adds rear-mounted cold-gas thrusters that use pressurised gas to generate additional forward thrust. Tesla claims it can accelerate from 0–96 km/h in just 0.81 seconds, making it one of the most extreme performance claims attached to a production-intended road car.
At the top of the range is the Roadster Rocket, available by invitation only. It features additional thrusters around the vehicle, including systems intended to provide vertical lift and directional control. Tesla has demonstrated the technology in a dramatic display, but the Rocket is not approved for public-road use.
Range, speed and what we know so far
Tesla’s Malaysian Roadster website previously highlighted headline targets of 0–100 km/h in 2.1 seconds, a top speed exceeding 400 km/h and a range of up to 1,000 km. These figures should be treated as published targets, not independently verified production-car performance.
The latest Roadster’s final production specifications, battery details and purchase prices remain unconfirmed. Buyers should therefore avoid treating earlier figures as guaranteed specifications for every version.
The car also features a removable glass roof panel for an open-air driving experience, while its lightweight construction and aerodynamic design are intended to improve performance.
Should you reserve one?
The Roadster is an ambitious showcase of Tesla’s electric-vehicle technology, but its history warrants caution. Nearly nine years have passed since the second-generation model was first unveiled, and the car has missed several previously announced production timelines.
With production now targeted for 2028, Malaysian buyers could face a considerable wait. The Rocket also presents a separate complication because it is not approved for public-road use.
For now, the key takeaway is that Tesla has opened the door for Malaysian enthusiasts to reserve a place in the queue. Whether the Roadster can deliver its extraordinary performance claims, reach production on schedule and justify its eventual price remains to be seen.
