Andy Nurman
December 1, 2023
After years of hype and fevered speculation, Tesla has finally unveiled its futuristic electric pickup truck – the Cybertruck. CEO Elon Musk revealed the long-teased truck at a Delivery event at Tesla Gigafactory Texas on Thursday afternoon.
Tesla’s Cybertruck will be offered in three variants, ranging from a more affordable Rear-Wheel Drive model to the top-line Cyberbeast trim with supercar-beating acceleration.
The most attainable option will be the single motor Rear-Wheel Drive launching in 2025. Starting at $60,990, it delivers a 250-mile range, 6.5-second 0-60 mph time and seating for six. It focuses maximizing value.
Next up is the 2024 All-Wheel Drive model bringing extra grip and performance from a dual motor configuration. The $79,990 price nets buyers a 340-mile range and sports car-rivaling 4.1-second 0-60 mph sprint, enabled by 600 horsepower and 7,435 pound-feet of torque. Towing capacity rises to 11,000 pounds.
But for max acceleration and speed in an electric pickup, the $99,990 Cyberbeast takes no prisoners. Outrageous performance headlines the specs: 0-60 mph in an incredible 2.6 seconds – quicker than a Porsche 911 Turbo . The tri-motor powertrain churns out 845 horsepower, massive 10,296 pound-feet of torque, hurtling the Cybertruck to a governed 130 mph top speed. There’s also room for five passengers and equipment while towing up to 11,000 pounds.
Loaded with Innovations
More than just a tough exterior, the Cybertruck comes packed with next-generation features that enhance capability, functionality and performance.
Steer-By-Wire
Steer-by-wire technology allows for a variable steering ratio, which means that the amount the steering wheel needs to be turned is not directly proportional to the amount the wheels turn. This can be beneficial in a number of situations, such as when parking or at low speeds, where it is desirable to make small adjustments to the steering.
Powergate
A powered frunk that can store up to seven cubic feet of cargo. It has one of the longest LED lighting elements on any passenger vehicle in the world and reveals a hidden bench for two plus more than seven cubic feet of storage.
Adaptive Air Suspension and Ground Clearance
The electronically adaptive air suspension provides up to 12 inches of travel, letting the Cybertruck tackle off-road conditions. At maximum extension, the truck achieves up to 17 inches of ground clearance for overcoming rocky terrain or deep water.
Ultra-Hard Exoskeleton
An exterior exoskeleton made from ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel enables the Cybertruck to power through dents and scratches without showing wear and tear. This metal skin also safeguards internal components like the battery pack.
Shatterproof Glass
Cybertruck’s armor glass can sustain direct impacts from a baseball at 70 mph or Class 4 hail.
Versatile Truck Bed
With the ability to carry payloads of up to 2,500 pounds, the Cybertruck rivals conventional trucks for hauling ability. The truck bed measures 6’ x 4’ — big enough to handle 4’ x 8’ building materials. It’s made from ultra-durable composites that remove the need for a separate bed liner.
Power On The Go
The Cybertruck comes equipped with 120-volt and 240-volt outlets conveniently located in both the bed and cabin.
What can you power? Plug in tools to work remotely off-grid. Illuminate worksites with strings of lights. Charge other EVs or e-bikes in a pinch thanks to up to 11.5 kilowatts of on-board power.
Take the whole family camping without roughing it. Set up a TV, plug in a mini-fridge, or cook with an electric grill. With that much versatile power, electricity is always available from your Cybertruck assuming your truck is fully charged.
Spacious, Tech-Savvy Interior
The Cybertruck provides seating for five adults, with lots of legroom and headroom throughout the cabin. It features a 18.5-inch touchscreen in the front and a 9.4-inch touchscreen in the back. A premium 15-speaker audio system creates enveloping sound. The cabin offers style and substance in one futuristic package.
Go the Extra Mile
For even more range, an optional battery pack insertable into the truck bed adds up to 130 additional miles on a single charge. This lift-in “range extender” brings total range to an epic 470 miles before needing to plug in. Now you can truly go off the beaten path without range anxiety. More miles mean more adventures in the Cybertruck! This add-on battery ensures you get to your destination and back without compromise. Just one more way the innovative Cybertruck revolutionizes what’s possible in an electric pickup.
Available Accessories
There are over 20 accessories available for the Cybertruck, including the Basecamp ($2,975), which is a camper that can be mounted on the truck bed.
Our Thoughts
The Cybertruck’s price has increased by approximately 40% since its initial reveal. I believe this higher price point will allow the vehicle to sell quite well among luxury truck buyers.
However, Tesla’s designer, Franz von Holzhausen’s light baseball toss against the window during the delivery event was an odd moment. I understand his hesitancy to repeat the infamous steel ball window break from the unveiling years ago. However, lightly tossing a baseball didn’t effectively showcase the strength of the glass.
Ultimately the Cybertruck is a halo product for Tesla – more about aspiration than high volumes. With over 2 million reservations, even if half canceled, there is clearly strong interest that will allow Tesla to sell this high-margin $100k truck for years. Kudos to the Tesla team for taking risks and bringing such a uniquely styled product to market.
