Tesla’s much-awaited Cybertruck has finally arrived, four years after first being revealed, weighing over three tonnes, available with up to 856hp and wearing radical prismatic bodywork that's claimed to be bulletproof. The first 10 examples of the electric pick-up truck were handed over to customers in North America.
Cyberturck: Tesla’s best product?
At a special delivery event, the first few production examples were handed over to customers, with Tesla boss Elon Musk proclaiming: “I think it’s our best product; the most unique thing on the road. The future should look like the future.”
Originally, the American carmaker had promised first deliveries would be made in 2021, but production only started this July. Customers still can’t order the vehicle, with Tesla only taking reservation deposits – at $100 (about Rs 8,335). Musk previously claimed 2,00,000 people had placed a deposit.
The divisively styled pick-up will be offered with either a 856hp Tesla Model S Plaid-derived tri-motor set-up – with maximum power deployed in Beast Mode – or a 608hp twin-motor base-level powertrain. The previously billed single-motor model is not expected to be offered until 2025. Prices start from $79,990 (about Rs 66 lakh) and climb to $99,990 (approximately Rs 83 lakh) for the two launch editions.
Tesla Cybertruck: performance and battery
In top-spec form, the 5.87m-long truck is claimed to hit 100kph from standstill in 2.6 seconds and complete a standing quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds. The lower-spec variant can do the 0-100kph sprint in 4.1 seconds.
Tesla characteristically has not given a precise battery size, but claims a top-end range of 547km (knock 32km off for the tri-motor variant) and has confirmed that the Cybertruck, which weighs in at 3,107kg, has a drag coefficient of 0.34 – around the same as a Range Rover. All variants are claimed to be capable of the same 1MW (1000kW) charging speed as the Tesla Semi HGV.
Tesla Cybertruck: construction and utility
Along with a payload capacity of 1,134kg in the covered rear load bay (dubbed the ‘vault’), as well as space in the 'frunk' and sail pillars – and a maximum towing capacity of 5,000kg, Musk said the Cybertruck was “something that is a better truck than a truck and something that is a better sports car than a sports car, all in the same package”.
The Cybertruck's body is made of a Tesla-designed stainless steel alloy, that, along with being allegedly bulletproof against 9mm bullets, is claimed to give the pick-up more torsional stiffness than a McLaren P1.
“We needed something that you could actually manufacture, that wouldn't corrode, and that doesn’t need paint, that you could make in volume,” said Musk on the decision to produce a totally bespoke alloy material. “You can’t stamp the body panels – they would break the stamping machine."
Tesla Cybertruck: off-road capability
Musk also touted the Cybertruck's off-road credentials saying, "You can drive over practically anything; It has insane off-road capabilities”. It has 17 inches of ground clearance, 35-inch all-terrain tyres, adaptive air suspension on all four corners with four inches of adjustment, and locking diffentials which – crucially – do not protrude below the body of the vehicle, minimising the risk of beaching.
The Ford F-150 Lightning rival also utilises steer-by-wire tech – of the type that's coming soon to the Lexus RZ – which reduces the amount of wheel input needed for turns. Along with four-wheel steering it gives the Cybertruck a turning circle that's smaller than the Model S.
Tesla India entry: what’s new?
Fresh reports suggest that Tesla may finally be able to make an official entry into India sometime next year. While the initial batch of cars sold in our market will be full imports, the brand could start building EVs in India by 2026. The Indian government and Tesla are said to be close to reaching an agreement that will not only allow the US EV maker to sell models made overseas, but also set up a manufacturing plant in India. Read more on that here.
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