Tesla Roadster in UAE: What its deposit could buy you

UAE residents considering reserving Tesla's new Roadster must be prepared to commit a significant sum before the car's final purchase price is known, potentially amounting to more than the advertised price of a Porsche 911 GT3 or a high-performance electric Taycan. The Roadster offers unique technology and ambitious performance claims, but customers must pay substantial deposits before knowing the full cost or delivery date.

The reservation payment for the Performance version is Dh210,000 (Dh20,000 initially, followed by Dh190,000 within 10 days), while the Thrust version requires Dh1.02 million (Dh20,000 initially, followed by Dh1 million). These amounts are considerably higher than the starting purchase price of established performance cars in the UAE.

Despite Tesla's claims of impressive acceleration, industry experts caution that the figures may not accurately represent the car's performance once delivered. UAE buyers should weigh the financial commitment and the Roadster's unique features against the immediate affordability and clarity of purchase prices offered by other manufacturers before making a decision.