Elon Musk’s vision of an electric pickup truck has finally come true.
Tesla presented its sci-fi-themed electric pickup in Southern California this evening, surrounded by famous vehicles from Hollywood’s Sci-Fi History like Blade Runner or Back to the Future. This machine is different than all the others. This isn’t science fiction, it’s fact.
This truck is unlike any other on the road. Musk claims the truck’s body is made of a steel alloy. He also stated that it is scratch-resistant and dent-resistant. He also claims that the Cybertruck can withstand bullets up to 9mm. According to him, the metal used in the Cybertruck is the same metal that was used to cover the SpaceX Starship prototype. It’s interesting to note that the exposed metal panels on the body are actually structural parts of the truck. It is unibody in its truest meaning, as the body is the frame. Musk claimed that the glass was extremely strong, although it wasn’t as strong as he hoped. However, the Cybertruck’s glass shattering on stage was quite impressive. This is not what was intended. But, hey, it’s a Tesla vehicle debut.
Musk did share a video showing what should have happened during window strength demonstration. It shows the windows intact despite being thrown a steel ball. Here’s Musk’s off-stage trial video:
The body is strong. But what about the vehicle’s stats? Musk provided some serious numbers for this bizarre pickup. Not least, it can go from 0-60 mph in just and 2.9 seconds to the highest-performance all wheel-drive model. It can also do a quarter-mile in just 10.8 seconds and “corner like it is on rails.” It can travel over 500 miles in its most efficient trim (Tesla plans to offer three versions), with the base model able to achieve more than 250 miles and solar charging adding an additional 15 miles each day. A report by Motor Trend indicates that the “Plaid”, ultra-high-performance upgrade, could produce 800 horsepower and 1000 pound-feet torque. Although official power figures for Cybertruck are not yet available, such motivation seems to be in place considering the sub-three second 0-60 time for something that will weigh .
Cornering on rails may seem impossible at first, but the Cybertruck has an adaptive air suspension setup which can provide the truck with as much as 16 inches of ground clearance. It can lower on-the-fly to make it easier for off-road use. The load mode allows for toys such as Tesla’s ATV to be stowed and go.
It sounds amazing performance-wise and looks insane, but it can actually drive a truck. Cybertruck has a 6.5-foot pickup bed, 3,500-pound cargo volume, and is available with either a single motor / rear-wheel drive setup, a dual motor / all wheel-drive setup, or a triple-motor/all-wheel-drive arrangement. It can haul up to 14,000 pounds and has a 35-degree approach angle and 28-degree departure angle. This EV truck has an air suspension. It also features electric outlets and power lines.
The crazy wedge body aside, the stats sound great. But then there’s the price. Cybertruck starts at $39,900 for a single motor RWD model with 250 miles and a 0-60 speed of 6.5 seconds. This is a good price, but the tri-motor flagship model costs $69,900. This is for a truck that has hypercar acceleration, a 14,000-pound weight rating and an electric range exceeding 500 miles. If you had to choose between this and a fully loaded F150 at the same price, which would it be?
If you answered no to any of these, Tesla may introduce a smaller version at some point in time. Although nothing has been confirmed, Elon Musk tweeted that the idea was possible.
Although the windows may break if you throw a metal ball at them, the body looks like Blade Runner. However, it is hard to ignore the machine’s shock value and incredible capability. Musk stated that preorders can be placed and that 200,000 have been placed. Delivery of the entry-level model is expected to start in late 2021. The Cybertruck will also be available as accessories, including a Camp Mode that was shown in one of Tesla’s official images. It features a hideaway kitchen and a tent-bed.