After more than four years of anticipation since the teaser in 2019, Tesla has officially rolled out its much-awaited Cybertruck. The unveiling event in Austin, Texas, showcased the vehicle’s futuristic design and its formidable specifications.
Elon Musk humorously set the tone at the Cybertruck delivery event, acknowledging the prolonged wait with a light-hearted remark: “The apocalypse could come along at any moment.” The Cybertruck, with its bold and unconventional design, seemed to emerge from the shadows of uncertainty, embodying Musk’s vision of the future.
The production Cybertruck retains the distinctive wedge shape, now shinier and less raw than the original prototype. Crafted from Tesla’s proprietary stainless steel alloy, the exoskeleton gives the truck a robustness that Musk claims surpasses even the McLaren P1 in torsional stiffness. The material’s resilience was demonstrated with footage of the Cybertruck enduring rounds from various machine guns, reinforcing its durability.
Addressing the infamous glass mishap from the 2019 event, Tesla showcased improved “armor” glass that can withstand a baseball thrown at 70 mph or Class 4 hail. The design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, playfully reenacted the glass demonstration, this time without any impact craters or spidering, offering a sigh of relief for Tesla enthusiasts.
In terms of specifications, Tesla provided insights into three planned variants of the Cybertruck. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive model, expected in 2025, boasts a 250-mile range per charge and an estimated starting price of $60,990. Moving up the ladder, the two all-wheel-drive variants, set for a 2024 debut, promise a 340-mile range, up to 600 hp, and a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.1 seconds for the base model, priced at $79,990 after incentives.
For enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance, the ‘Cyberbeast’ variant offers an impressive 845 hp, a 0-60 mph acceleration in 2.6 seconds, and a sub-11 second quarter-mile sprint, all for $99,990. The estimated range for this variant is up to 320 miles per charge. Tesla also introduces a range-extender battery pack, housed in the pickup bed like a toolbox, for those desiring an extended range of up to 470 miles.
The Cybertruck’s utility shines through with an 11,000-lb towing capacity, rivalling competitors like the Ford F-150 Lightning. The 6 x 4-foot composite bed, lockable via the retractable tonneau, offers 67 cubic feet of space and features 120/240-V outlets capable of delivering up to 11.5 kW of power. Tesla showcased the Cybertruck’s towing prowess by out-towing competitors and even surpassing a Porsche 911 in a quarter-mile race while towing another 911 on a trailer.
On the off-road front, the Cybertruck boasts a 17-inch ground clearance, adaptive air suspension, locking differentials, rear torque vectoring, four-wheel steering, and a steer-by-wire system for precise maneuvering.
Inside, the Cybertruck offers a simple yet futuristic cockpit centered around an 18.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Passengers can enjoy entertainment through a 9.4-inch rear central display and a 15-speaker surround sound system.
As the Cybertruck hits the roads, it invites admiration or criticism for its distinctive design. Elon Musk’s vision of the future, embodied in the Cybertruck, sparks conversations about the evolving landscape of electric vehicles and the fusion of power and peculiarity.