DOMINANT ANGLE
Santiago highlights the technical prowess of the Roadster, with cold gas thrusters and suction at the forefront, and puts the stock market and the 2028 calendar on the back burner.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The Roadster accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour (approximately 97 km/h) in 0.81 seconds during the exhibition (La Tercera, citing The Verge).
- 02
The Rocket Roadster is a single-seat configuration by invitation, equipped with cold gas thrusters (La Tercera).
- 03
Tesla stock gained 3.21% in pre-market trading at $362.44, and production is announced for 2028 without a price (La Tercera).
ANALYSIS
Santiago, October 16, 2026. The Chilean press initially treats the Tesla Roadster as a technical demonstration. La Tercera writes that Tesla presented a new version of its electric deportivo on Thursday, October 15, "developed with SpaceX technology", capable of rising and performing aerial stunts. The exhibition took place at the aerospace company's test site in McGregor, Texas.
The details of the device occupy a large space. According to La Tercera, the flight capability comes from the Roadster Rocket, a single-seat configuration available only by invitation. Tesla explains that it integrates cold gas thrusters around the body, which produce forward and upward movement as well as lateral rotation. A fan system sucks air under the vehicle and creates suction against the surface, allowing it to remain upside down even when stationary. "Así que sí, puede volar", the brand states on its site. The media cites The Verge for a 0 to 60 miles per hour, or approximately 97 km/h, in 0.81 seconds, and notes that Tesla does not specify the duration of the flight or the maximum altitude.
BioBioChile describes the scene: the car drives up a curved ramp, ends up with its wheels in the air for a few seconds, spins in the air, and then lands on its four wheels. It also jumps over a row of Tesla vehicles, including the Semi truck, with, according to the company, the humanoid robot Optimus at the wheel. The event was broadcast live on X. Elon Musk stated that the presence of the public was important to show that the maneuvers had not been generated by artificial intelligence; La Tercera takes up this theme in a video titled "¡No es IA!".
The financial aspect comes second. La Tercera notes that the stock gained 3.21% in pre-market trading on the Nasdaq, at $362.44, reducing its decline since the beginning of the year to 20.8% according to Tradingview. The newspaper adds that, according to CNBC, it is unlikely that the vehicle will have a significant financial impact. Musk indicated that production will start in 2028; Tesla has not given a price or specifications for the other variants, and has reopened reservations in recent weeks with a deposit of $50,000.
