Just four days after it was first revealed, the Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up, which, with its polarising design has drawn a mixed bag of comments and reviews from auto industry stakeholders, EV aficionados as well as non-automotive sector observers, has amassed over 2,00,000 bookings.
In a tweet on November 23, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the same saying said: "146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor. With no advertising & no paid endorsement." In another tweet on November 25, Musk confirmed that the number had increased to 2,00,000, by simply saying “200k”.
The all-electric Cybertruck is the same length (5.87m) as traditional competitors, but that’s where the similarities end. For starters, its radical, wedge-shape design is unlike anything else, and Musk insists it isn’t far from production readiness.
The Cybertruck’s promised spec list is equally stunning. Three powertrain options will be offered with one, two or three electric motors. The single motor, rear-drive-only version is said to do 0-100kph in 6.5sec, with no quoted battery size, but a claimed range of 402km. It can also tow 3,400kg, with a 1,360kg payload. The Cybertruck is expected to be priced from $39,900 (around Rs 28.65 lakh) before any government incentives.
Next up is the mid-range dual-motor variant, offering all-wheel drive, a claimed 0-100kph time of 4.5sec and the ability to tow over 4,500kg. It is said to cost $49,900 (Rs 35,83 lakh) before incentives.
The crowning glory is the top-level car, using Tesla’s latest tri-motor ‘Plaid’ EV powertrain. Priced from $69,900 (Rs 50.20 lakh), its specs include a claimed 804km range on a charge, a 0-100kph time of just 2.9sec, and the ability to complete the quarter-mile in a little over 10sec. Musk claims the towing capacity is 6,350kg.
Will the surge of pre-bookings for the Tesla Cybertruck come close to that of the Model 3 when it launched in April 2016? A staggering 2,76,000 deposits were put down in the first 72 hours of the order books being opened, with 1,17,000 of those pre-orders placed before the car had been unveiled! Within the first week of its launch, the number had climbed to 3,25,000.
So, clearly, the buzz is back with Tesla and Elon Musk. Stay tuned.