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Tesla launches cheapest and longest range Cybertruck trim yet
The new Cybertruck trim features a single rear motor and 350 miles of range.
Tesla has launched the Cybertruck Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) in the United States. The vehicle was announced by the electric vehicle maker on social media platform X Thursday night.
The Cybertruck Long Range RWD is the cheapest variant of the all-electric pickup truck.
Cybertruck Long Range RWD Price and Range
The new Tesla Cybertruck trim is the most affordable variant of the vehicle yet, starting at $69,990 before incentives such as the $7,500 federal tax credit. With the federal tax credit, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD could be acquired for $62,490 before options.
In comparison, the dual motor Cybertruck Long Range All Wheel Drive (AWD) is priced at $79,990 before incentives, while the top of the line Cyberbeast is priced at $99,990 before incentives.
For its price, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD offers a range of 350 miles per charge if equipped with its 18’’ Standard Wheels. This is longer than the 325 miles of range offered by the dual motor Cybertruck AWD and the 320 miles of range offered by the tri-motor Cyberbeast. It can also add up to 147 miles of range in 15 minutes using a Supercharger, compared to up to 137 miles for the Cybertruck AWD and up to 135 miles for the Cyberbeast.
What You Miss With the Cybertruck LR RWD
While the Cybertruck Long Range RWD offers the cheapest price and the longest range, it does offer fewer amenities compared to its more expensive stablemates. Its towing capacity is the lowest in the lineup at 7,500 lbs, and payload capacity is just at 2,006 lbs. It is also the slowest Cybertruck in the lineup, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds.
Inside, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD features textile seats, tactical gray interior, and front heated seats. The vehicle is also equipped with a standard console and no 9.4” second-row display. The vehicle’s audio system is equipped with just seven speakers with no active noise cancellation as well.
For its exterior, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD is equipped with a standard 6′ x 4′ bed with upgradable soft tonneau cover that adds 12 miles of range, headlamps with no signature lamps, standard bed lamps, and standard tail lamps. The LR RWD also does not have the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast’s 2x 120V and 1x 240V power outlet on the bed, or the 2x 120V power outlets in the cabin. Lastly, the cheapest Cybertruck trim is equipped with an adaptive coil spring suspension instead of the adaptive air suspension in the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast. This means that the Long Range RWD does not have adjustable ride height.
What You Still Get with the Cybertruck LR RWD
Just like its more expensive trims, the Cybertruck LR RWD features a steer-by-wire system, a suite of eight exterior cameras, an AI4 computer for the latest and best version of FSD, and a powered frunk. It also features mechanical rear locking differentials, which should give it some fair performance off-road. Of course, the Cybertruck Long Range RWD also features Tesla’s industry leading active and safety features, which should make it one of the safest pickup trucks in the market.
First deliveries of the Cybertruck Long Range RWD are estimated to start at June – July 2025.
Elon Musk
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX has issued an initial statement about Starship Booster 18’s anomaly early Friday. The incident unfolded during gas-system pressure testing at the company’s Massey facility in Starbase, Texas.
SpaceX’s initial comment
As per SpaceX in a post on its official account on social media platform X, Booster 18 was undergoing gas system pressure tests when the anomaly happened. Despite the nature of the incident, the company emphasized that no propellant was loaded, no engines were installed, and personnel were kept at a safe distance from the booster, resulting in zero injuries.
“Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site,” SpaceX wrote in its post on X.
Incident and aftermath
Livestream footage from LabPadre showed Booster 18’s lower half crumpling around the liquid oxygen tank area at approximately 4:04 a.m. CT. Subsequent images posted by on-site observers revealed extensive deformation across the booster’s lower structure. Needless to say, spaceflight observers have noted that Booster 18 would likely be a complete loss due to its anomaly.
Booster 18 had rolled out only a day earlier and was one of the first vehicles in the Starship V3 program. The V3 series incorporates structural reinforcements and reliability upgrades intended to prepare Starship for rapid-reuse testing and eventual tower-catch operations. Elon Musk has been optimistic about Starship V3, previously noting on X that the spacecraft might be able to complete initial missions to Mars.
Investor's Corner
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) received fresh support from Piper Sandler this week after analysts toured the Fremont Factory and tested the company’s latest Full Self-Driving software. The firm reaffirmed its $500 price target, stating that FSD V14 delivered a notably smooth robotaxi demonstration and may already perform at levels comparable to, if not better than, average human drivers.
The team also met with Tesla leaders for more than an hour to discuss autonomy, chip development, and upcoming deployment plans.
Analysts highlight autonomy progress
During more than 75 minutes of focused discussions, analysts reportedly focused on FSD v14’s updates. Piper Sandler’s team pointed to meaningful strides in perception, object handling, and overall ride smoothness during the robotaxi demo.
The visit also included discussions on updates to Tesla’s in-house chip initiatives, its Optimus program, and the growth of the company’s battery storage business. Analysts noted that Tesla continues refining cost structures and capital expenditure expectations, which are key elements in future margin recovery, as noted in a Yahoo Finance report.
Analyst Alexander Potter noted that “we think FSD is a truly impressive product that is (probably) already better at driving than the average American.” This conclusion was strengthened by what he described as a “flawless robotaxi ride to the hotel.”
Street targets diverge on TSLA
While Piper Sandler stands by its $500 target, it is not the highest estimate on the Street. Wedbush, for one, has a $600 per share price target for TSLA stock.
Other institutions have also weighed in on TSLA stock as of late. HSBC reiterated a Reduce rating with a $131 target, citing a gap between earnings fundamentals and the company’s market value. By contrast, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and a $509 target, pointing to strong autonomous driving demonstrations in Austin and the pace of software-driven improvements.
Stifel analysts also lifted their price target for Tesla to $508 per share over the company’s ongoing robotaxi and FSD programs.
Elon Musk
SpaceX Starship Version 3 booster crumples in early testing
Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
SpaceX’s new Starship first-stage booster, Booster 18, suffered major damage early Friday during its first round of testing in Starbase, Texas, just one day after rolling out of the factory.
Based on videos of the incident, the lower section of the rocket booster appeared to crumple during a pressurization test. Photos of the incident’s aftermath suggest that Booster 18 will likely be retired.
Booster test failure
SpaceX began structural and propellant-system verification tests on Booster 18 Thursday night at the Massey’s Test Site, only a few miles from Starbase’s production facilities, as noted in an Ars Technica report. At 4:04 a.m. CT on Friday, a livestream from LabPadre Space captured the booster’s lower half experiencing a sudden destructive event around its liquid oxygen tank section. Post-incident images, shared on X by @StarshipGazer, showed notable deformation in the booster’s lower structure.
Neither SpaceX nor Elon Musk had commented as of Friday morning, but the vehicle’s condition suggests it is likely a complete loss. This is quite unfortunate, as Booster 18 is already part of the Starship V3 program, which includes design fixes and upgrades intended to improve reliability. While SpaceX maintains a rather rapid Starship production line in Starbase, Booster 18 was generally expected to validate the improvements implemented in the V3 program.
Tight deadlines
SpaceX needs Starship boosters and upper stages to begin demonstrating rapid reuse, tower catches, and early operational Starlink missions over the next two years. More critically, NASA’s Artemis program depends on an on-orbit refueling test in the second half of 2026, a requirement for the vehicle’s expected crewed lunar landing around 2028.
While SpaceX is known for diagnosing failures quickly and returning to testing at unmatched speed, losing the newest-generation booster at the very start of its campaign highlights the immense challenge involved in scaling Starship into a reliable, high-cadence launch system. SpaceX, however, is known for getting things done quickly, so it would not be a surprise if the company manages to figure out what happened to Booster 18 in the near future.
SpaceX issues statement on Starship V3 Booster 18 anomaly
Tesla analyst maintains $500 PT, says FSD drives better than humans now
