IT’S ALMOST CERTAINLY wasn’t the image Elon Musk was hoping to present when he launched Tesla’s latest all-electric model, the Cybertruck.
Before we explain, let’s look at this much anticipated dual-cab pick-up.
Firstly, it won’t actually be available until late 2021 and odds are that Australia won’t see it until 2022.
The Cybertruck is designed to have the utility of a truck and the performance of a sports car. The vehicle is built to be durable, versatile and capable, with exceptional performance both on-road and off-road.
Cybertruck will come in three variants: Single Motor Rear-Wheel Drive, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Tri Motor All-Wheel Drive.
Tesla’s seriously odd-looking pick-up (no, let’s not beat around the bush; it’s seriously ugly!) uses a single motor driving the rear wheels, or dual motors driving all four wheels. A tri-motor flagship is planned for 2022, with Tesla suggesting it will have a 0-60mph (97km/h) sprint time of a supercar-like 2.9 seconds or less. Top speed is 209mph (336km/h). The single motor model takes 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 177km/h while the dual motor model will get to 97km/h in 4.5 seconds and top out at 193km/h.
Obviously prices in Australia are yet to be announced, but in the US, the Cybertruck starts from $US39,900 (just under $AU59,000). Projected prices for the dual motor AWD are $US49,900 (just under $AU74,000) while the range topping tri-motor is $US69,900 ($AU103,096, give or take).
Claimed range is 805km for the tri-motor on a single charge while the others will cover 483km and 402km. Towing specs are impressive at 3402kg (single motor), 4536kg (dual motor) and a whopping 6364kg for the tri-motor.
Off-road credentials are also impressive, with self-levelling air suspension with adaptive springs and dampers. Ground clearance can be increased from the standard 305mm to 406mm. Approach angle is up to 35 degrees, and departure angle 28 degrees.
Oops, that was embarrassing!
At the launch of the Cybertruck in California, streamed live across the world, Elon Musk said, “We need something different” and something that “doesn’t look like anything else”. Nobody would argue that he hasn’t achieved that.
The Cybertruck’s exoskeleton is claimed to withstand sledgehammer slams, but the so-called transparent metal glass, called Tesla Armour Glass (which was claimed to be “bullet-proof”) wasn’t quite so robust. It cracked dramatically when a metal ball was thrown at it by Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen, much to Mr Musk’s embarrassment (although, to its credit, the glass retained its structural integrity) “Oh my f***ing god!” he exclaimed when the front side glass shattered. He then asked von Holzhausen to throw a ball at the rear side glass. Inevitably, this glass shattered as well.
Oh well. It seemed like a good idea at the time!
Tesla Cybertruck Specs:
- Range: 500+ miles (805km)
- 0-60 mph acceleration: <2.9 seconds
- Towing capacity: More than 14,000 lbs (6364kg)
- Payload: Up to 3,500 lbs (1590kg)
- Vault length: 6.5 feet (200cm)
- Storage capacity: 100 cubic feet (2.83 cubic m) of exterior, lockable storage including the vault, frunk, and sail pillars.
- Suspension: 4 inches in either direction (10cm)
- Touchscreen size: 17-inch
- Body: Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel.
- Seating capacity: Up to six adults
- Charging: Can be charged at home, at Destination Charging locations, and with a network of more than 14,000 Superchargers (in the US), including on the newest V3 technology, which is helpful for long hauls and towing.