Tesla has been holding back certain important specifications, but now it’s revealing more information on the Cybertruck electric pickup’s final production iteration.
During its delivery event on Thursday, Tesla revealed battery, speed, and other statistics. The carmaker even went so far as to compare the Cybertruck to some of its rivals, such as Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Rivian’s R1T.
While we are aware that the more cost-effective Cybertruck won’t be available for some time, Tesla plans to release the Cyberbeast, the most advanced model, at some point in 2024. Here, we’ll examine how the expensive model stacks up against a few other upscale electric trucks available in terms of specs.
According to Tesla, the Cyberbeast has a 320-mile range on a single charge (or more, if an extra battery pack is used). Ford, on the other hand, claims a 300-mile range for the 2023 F-150 Lightning Platinum. The maximum RT1 (quad-motor AWD) model from Rivian is expected to travel 328 kilometers on a single charge.
According to Tesla, the Cyberbeast weighs 6,843 pounds, so it really is a beast. However, that is less than the 6,893-pound F-150 Lightning Platinum and the 7,148-pound Rivian RT1. To the detriment of nearly everyone else on the road, massive electric vehicles are becoming the norm.
Regarding maximum towing, Tesla advertises 11,000 pounds for the Cyberbeast, which is less than Ford’s stated maximum of 15,900 pounds and ties Rivian’s stated maximum towing capacity.
With a length of 223.7 inches, the Cybertruck is positioned in the middle of the group. The longitude of Ford’s expensive electric pickup is 232.7′′, whereas Rivian’s is 217.1′′. The Cybertruck is somewhat smaller than the EV pickups from Ford (77.2′′) and Rivian (78.2′′) at 70.5′′ in height.
Tesla Cybertruck delivery event
Elon Musk gave the first Cybertrucks to a restricted set of clients, including Reddit co-founder and VC fund Seven Seven Six founder Alexis Ohanian and Trousdale Ventures founder and CEO Phillip Sarofim, with dubstep serving as the background music and neon lighting serving as the backdrop.
The Tesla Cybertruck delivery event’s live-streamed segment lasted only about 30 minutes. Nonetheless, the event featured all the customs one has grown accustomed to from Tesla, including pomp and fancy music, VIP attendees, and, of course, Musk.
At least six years have passed since Musk initially tweeted about creating a truck, and four years have passed since he unveiled the futuristic-looking pickup before the Tesla Cybertruck delivery.
Here’s what we currently know, putting some of the more eye-catching qualities (such as its bulletproof feature) aside. In summary, the Cybertruck costs a lot more than the targets that Elon Musk revealed in 2019. What little information was provided was also lacking.
The Three Tesla Cybertruck Musketeers
Three variations of the Tesla Cybertruck will eventually be offered.
The least expensive model in the group, a rear-wheel version with a starting price of $60,990, a 250-mile range, and a 6.9-second zero to sixty miles per hour acceleration rate, won’t be accessible until 2025. The Cyberbeast and an all-wheel variant are the only options left.
The all-wheel drive version starts at $79,990 and has an estimated 341-mile range. Its top speed is 112 mph. With an estimated 320-mile range and 845 horsepower, the Cyberbeast can reach a top speed of 130 mph and go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.6 seconds. It is anticipated to cost $99,990. The stated towing capacity of these two models is 11,000 pounds.
Additionally, the company plans to sell a range extender that will increase the Cyberbeast’s range to over 440 miles and the all-wheel drive version to an estimated 470 miles. However, Tesla doesn’t offer any more information regarding the range extender’s cost.
Musk did provide an explanation on X, the former Twitter platform, following the event that was a little less cryptic. The range extender, according to him, will be a “pack that fits in about 1/3 of the truck bed, optional.” Still enough space for a large load. It is designed for hauling huge objects up mountains or for extremely long travels.
There’s still no information on the price. In either case, the $7,500 federal tax credit is not available for any EV vehicle or SUV that costs more than $80,000. Therefore, it is unlikely that the middle-tier model with the range extender will.
The figures shown above are different from the initial specifications that Musk revealed during the 2019 Cybertruck launch event. Although the pricing, towing, and range have subsequently altered, the business was originally planned on three variations.
The company has projected that its most affordable model will retail for $39,900 in 2024 and feature a 7,500-pound towing capability and a range of more than 250 miles. The mid-range model was supposed to be a dual-motor all-wheel drive vehicle with a price tag of $49,900, the ability to tow over 10,000 pounds, and a range of more than 300 miles between charges.
The third iteration was intended to feature three electric engines, all-wheel drive, a 14,000-pound towing capability, and a battery range exceeding 500 miles. The cost of that variant, referred to as the “tri-motor,” is $69,900.
These days, every Cybertruck in production has a front trunk, 35-inch all-terrain tires, a six-by-four-foot composite truck bed, a hidden gear locker, and a drag coefficient of 0.335—that’s good aerodynamics, FYI. According to the manufacturer, there is a maximum payload capacity of 2,500 pounds and a total of 67 cubic feet of secure storage. The Cybertruck is notably a steer-by-wire vehicle, which ought to allow it to perform precise turns and maneuvers.
Armoured glass on the outside is designed to withstand class 4 hail and a baseball hit at 70 mph. In 2019, testing the glass was not so successful; in fact, it broke. Franz von Holzhausen, the principal designer, was able to throw a baseball at the car’s glass this time around without damaging it. It should be mentioned, though, that von Holzhausen tossed a metal ball the size of a baseball back in 2019. It seemed like a regular old baseball on Thursday rather than one thrown at seventy miles per hour.
Notably, Tesla changed its electrical system from a 12-volt to a 48-volt one, following in the footsteps of other automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Tesla has emphasized that the 48-volt system offers more effective power distribution and has the capacity to supply enough amperage to charge items like power tools.
Additionally, the Cybertruck has an electrically adjustable air suspension, which provides up to 17 inches of clearance when required.
Inside the Cybertruck
More specifics on some of the inside amenities and details of the Tesla Cybertrucks are now available as the trucks are being delivered.
Musk pressed what seemed to be a button on the B pillar to open the doors as he turned over control of the Cybertrucks. Drivers and passengers may note that there are two touchscreens inside: a 9.4-inch touchscreen in the back and an 18.5-inch infinity touchscreen in the front. Tesla doesn’t go into detail about how the new interface varies from the existing one, but it appears to have a new interface as well.
A 15-speaker sound system with two subwoofers and dispersed amplifiers is also included with the Cybertruck. Along with a wireless charging system, 65W USB-C and 120V/240V outlets, a built-in HEPA air filter (found in other Tesla vehicles), and more are featured.
Tesla’s cheapest Cybertruck won’t drop until 2025
The bad news is that, if you were hoping for the Tesla Cybertruck that would cost less than $40,000, you will not, if ever, get your wish.
Although the company intends to increase manufacturing of its electric pickup in 2024, Tesla made it clear today following its dramatic delivery event that the Cybertruck variation with the lowest price will be accessible in 2025.
In 2019, Tesla debuted the Cybertruck version, which is a single-motor cybertruck with rear-wheel drive with a 250-mile range and 7,500-pound towing capacity. The carmaker had first estimated that it would cost $39,900. Then the pandemic struck, causing more delays that were partly caused by the stiff steel body of the Cybertruck.
Seasons have an impact on price projections for Tesla’s Cybertruck. The carmaker now projects that the price will be $60,990, or $53,490 after federal tax credits of $7,500. That is more than the Ford Lightning or Silverado EV’s beginning pricing, which are both approximately $50,000.
It’s possible that, like with its other EVs, Tesla will eventually lower the initial price of its pickup. A $39,900 Cybertruck, though, seems a long way off in 2025.
