Tesla Cybertruck: A Hype Or Is It For Real: Expectations vs. Reality
Origin of Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric pickup truck that was unveiled by Tesla CEO Elon Musk on November 21, 2019. Since then it is one of the most hyped electric utility truck products ever introduced. Its announcement garnered significant attention due to its unique and space exploration vehicle design.
Tesla further claimed that Cybertruck’s “Armor Glass” windows were virtually unbreakable. Although during the unveiling event in Los Angeles, the two windows got shattered when a metal ball was thrown at each of them individually. At the time, Musk made a joke out of it by saying “the ball did not make it through”. He later said that the windows were already damaged due to an earlier demonstration where the door was hit by a sledgehammer which cracked the base of glass.
In the next few days after its unveiling, many social media influencers disliked the sharp contours and unusual exterior. As a result, the Tesla stock declined upto 6%. In an effort to overturn the disliking of social media commentators, on November 23, 2019, Musk tweeted that Tesla had already received 146,000 pre-orders in the first 1.5 days after the unveiling each order giving a $100 refundable deposit. He also mentioned that of the orders received, 42% of them showed interest to have the dual-motor in its power configuration, 41% showed interest in tri-motor in its power configuration, 17% wish to have an economical single-motor in its power configuration. The numbers were later reported to be 250,000 on November 26, 2019.
It got tons of attention, because first of all it’s a Tesla product, the auto company is seen as the most innovative on the planet and also since it’s been introduced by Elon Musk as the most advanced all-electric pickup truck with performance numbers which are astounding. Here is a brief history of the Tesla Cybertruck:
- Announcement and Unveiling: On November 21, 2019, Elon Musk presented the Tesla Cybertruck at an event held in Los Angeles, California. The unveiling showcased the truck’s angular and rugged design, featuring an exoskeleton made of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel.
- Design and Features: The Cybertruck’s design was unlike any conventional pickup truck on the market, drawing mixed reactions. It boasted a robust exoskeleton that provided durability and strength, with a focus on practicality and utility. The vehicle’s windows, claimed to be shatterproof, faced an unexpected glitch during the unveiling when they cracked during a demonstration.
- Impressive Performance: During the unveiling, Musk highlighted the Cybertruck’s remarkable performance capabilities. It was announced to offer impressive acceleration, with variants capable of going from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in as little as 2.9 seconds. Additionally, the vehicle’s range was touted to extend up to 500+ miles (800+ kilometers) on a single charge.
- Production and Release: Following the unveiling, pre-orders for the Cybertruck were made available to the public. Thousands of reservations were reportedly placed within a short period, reflecting significant interest in the vehicle. Tesla has been working towards bringing the Cybertruck into production, with manufacturing expected to take place at the Tesla Gigafactory in Texas, USA.
When the truck was revealed, the base price was $39,900 for a single-motor model, while the dual-motor model would start at $49,900, and the tri-motor model at $69,900. Drivers could choose whether or not to add the self-driving option, which costs an extra $7,000. According to later press releases it was said that a four-motor version will be produced first.
It’s important to note that the timeline and details surrounding the production and release of the Tesla Cybertruck are subject to change.
At the 2022 Annual Shareholders meeting, Elon Musk stated that final specifications and pricing will be materially different from those unveiled on the concept vehicle in 2019.
The problem is that the Cybertruck was announced in November 2019, and it’s still missing from the electric pickup truck segment.
Tesla Cybertruck Specifications:
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Design:
- Exoskeleton: The Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made of ultimate durability and passenger safety. It features a unique exoskeleton design made of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel structural skin. It help eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion.
Image source: Tesla.com - Tesla Armor Glass: Its ultra-strong glass and polymer layered composite can absorb and redirect impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance.
Image source: Tesla.com - Multi-Motor Design: Depending on the variant, it comes equipped with either a single-motor RWD, dual-motor AWD, tri-motor AWD or a more advanced quad-motor AWD system.
- Exoskeleton: The Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made of ultimate durability and passenger safety. It features a unique exoskeleton design made of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel structural skin. It help eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion.
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Performance And Efficiency:
- Cybertruck Acceleration: The Cybertruck offers impressive acceleration with the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in as little as 2.9 seconds, depending on the variant.
- Cybertruck Range: The range of the Cybertruck varies depending on the variant, with estimates ranging from around 250 to over 500 miles (400 to 800+ kilometers) on a single charge. More specifically it is 250 miles for single-motor, 300 miles for dual-motor, 500 miles for tri-motor and a whopping 620 miles for quad-motor models.
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Towing and Payload Capacity:
- Towing: The Cybertruck is designed to have impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity ranging from around 7,500 to over 14,000 pounds (3,400 to 6,350+ kilograms), depending on the variant.
- Payload: The payload capacity is expected to be around 3,500 pounds (1,587 kilograms) for the different models.
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Off-Road Capability:
- Ground Clearance: The Cybertruck has upto 16 inches of ground clearance to navigate rough terrains.
- Approach and Departure Angles: The exact approach and departure angles have not been specified officially but are expected to be optimized for off-road performance. Proposed are 35 degree approach angle and 28 degree departure angle.
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Smart Driving Features:
- Adaptive Air Suspension: Raise and lower suspension four inches in either direction for easy access to Cybertruck or the vault, while self-leveling capabilities adapt to any occasion and assist with every job.
Image source: Tesla.com - Onboard 120/240 VAC: The company states that other standard features will include on-board power inverters for supplying both 120 and 240-volt electricity, allowing use of power tools without a portable generator. An air compressor for powering pneumatic tools is included.
- Custom-built ATV: The Cybertruck even featured a custom-built ATV that could be charged directly from the EV pickup truck’s bed, the Cyberquad.
- Solar roof option: As of 2019, Musk indicated that there would be a solar roof option which would add 15 miles of range per day.
- Adaptive Air Suspension: Raise and lower suspension four inches in either direction for easy access to Cybertruck or the vault, while self-leveling capabilities adapt to any occasion and assist with every job.
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Storage and Vault:
- Vault-like Storage: The truck bed is referred to as the “Vault” and offers a large cargo space with a cover that can be opened or closed.
- Space for your toolbox, tire and Cyberquad, with room to spare. Utilize 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage — including the under-bed, frunk and sail pillars.
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Awesome Adaptability:
- Flexible Interior: Seat six comfortably with additional storage under the second-row seats. Complete with an advanced 17” touchscreen with an all-new customized user interface.
Image source: Tesla.com - Awesome Adaptability: From rugged to refined, Cybertruck is completely adaptable for your needs. Prepare for every experience with a versatile utilitarian design — including on-board power and compressed air.
Image source: Tesla.com
- Flexible Interior: Seat six comfortably with additional storage under the second-row seats. Complete with an advanced 17” touchscreen with an all-new customized user interface.
It’s worth noting that specifications and features of the Cybertruck will evolve according to consumer demand since its unveiling in 2019.
During Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call in January, Elon Musk said that mass production of the Cybertruck won’t start until 2024. However, the first trucks were expected to roll off the company’s production line this summer, so it would appear we’re right on schedule. Or at least we’re right on schedule for the most recent timeline provided by the company.
So it now seems like that this is becoming close to reality after the first series of trucks will be rolled out later during this year.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the official Tesla website or contacting Tesla directly for the latest specifications of the Cybertruck.
