Tesla Unveils Flying Roadster, Takes Pre-orders in Israel
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Elon Musk unveiled a "flying" Tesla Roadster at a SpaceX facility, demonstrating its aerial capabilities and reopening pre-orders. The vehicle will be available in three versions with advanced acceleration and a claimed range of over 480 km, though regulatory approval is pending. In Israel, reservations require initial deposits ranging from 16,000 to 800,000 shekels, with deliveries tentatively set for 2028. The event also boosted Tesla's stock and fueled merger speculation between Tesla and SpaceX.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Elon Musk unveiled a "flying" Tesla Roadster at a SpaceX facility in Texas.
- The Roadster will be offered in three versions: Performance, Thrust, and Rocket.
- Tesla has reopened pre-orders with deposits starting at $5,000 and up to $250,000.
- In Israel, reservations require deposits of 16,000 shekels to 800,000 shekels.
- The vehicle's range is claimed to be over 480 km, with deliveries possibly starting in 2028.
- The demonstration boosted Tesla's stock and fueled merger speculation with SpaceX.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased a "flying" Roadster at a SpaceX test facility in Texas, demonstrating its ability to launch, flip 180 degrees in mid-air, and land on its wheels using rocket boosters. The vehicle then performed a jet-powered takeoff and jumped over a line of other Tesla cars. Musk described it as "the best of the last human-driven cars" and suggested flying cars are part of the future.
The Roadster is slated for release in three versions: Performance, a two-seater with 0-60 mph acceleration under 1.6 seconds; Thrust, a two-seater with rear cold gas thrusters for acceleration under 0.9 seconds; and Rocket, a single-seater with body-mounted thrusters for 0-60 mph acceleration under 0.59 seconds. Tesla claims a range of over 480 km and a top speed exceeding 230 mph, though these figures are not finalized and lack official regulatory approval from the FAA. The company has reopened orders, requiring a $5,000 deposit and an additional $45,000 within 10 days for the base model, with a full reservation costing $250,000 for a 2028 delivery.
In Israel, reservations are open with a 16,000 shekel deposit and an additional 160,000 shekels due within 10 days for base models. For the higher-end version, the initial deposit is the same, but customers must pay an additional 800,000 shekels within 10 days. The article notes that the actual existence and delivery timeline of the vehicle remain uncertain, framing the event as a demonstration of "media alchemy" by Musk.
The demonstration also impacted Tesla's stock, which rose approximately 5.2% in early trading. Speculation about a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX intensified, with Barclays estimating an announcement could precede Tesla's annual meeting by December 6. Musk would hold a significant stake in the merged entity. Components developed for Musk's Optimus humanoid robot were also reportedly integrated into the Roadster.
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