Tesla Cybertruck: What We Know So Far

One Week to Cybertruck Deliveries: What We Know, What We Think We Know

Four years following the first showcase of Tesla’s Cybertruck design, deliveries of the exotic-appearing electric pickup are due to begin November 30.

Despite being articulated in our report from October 31, Tesla preorder keepers have experienced little in the way of notice from the electric car manufacturer. From the dozens we spoke to regarding their bookings, not one individual stated they had gotten any information from Tesla since initially registering.

As the initial date for Tesla’s Cybertruck deliveries to patrons looms, what can we really say with confidence about the vehicle? What have we learned thus far? All eyes are on this hot new electric pickup as it gears up to be put in the arms of customers.

The design of the production Cybertruck is quite similar to the 2019 show car, but there are some differences. The most noticeable are the large windshield wiper, the incorporation of conventional side mirrors, deeper front and rear bumpers, and a slightly smaller size – Elon Musk said in February 2021 that the production Cybertruck would be “around 3 percent smaller.”

Within the walls of the Cybertruck, modifications have been made, one of them comprising of a specifically crafted steering wheel looking like a fusion between the yoke found upon the concept and the customary wheel. As an immense improvement, the model created for production has installed a giant center console to take over from the preceding middle seat in the conceptual form.

The prototypes of the release candidate that we have previously observed were altogether black in color inside; nevertheless, a semi-white inner with white door panels plus a partially white dashboard was noticed just recently. The inner is roomy, furnishing abundance of interior space for five people.

Nothing has been officially set in stone in regards to the production variant’s measurements yet, but reports put forward by The Fast Lane EV allege that this electric vehicle will measure 223.2 inches long, 79.9 across (not including the side mirrors), and an overall 70.5 inches tall when its air suspension is on at the median setting. Its wheelbase is said to clock in at 143 inches.

By comparison, the Tesla Cybertruck is reduced in size; it’s 9.5 inches shorter and 7.8 inches lower than Ford’s F-150 Lightning – yet the width is virtually the same, with a wheelbase 2.5 inches smaller. Its size towers over its competitor, the Rivian R1T; 6.1 inches more extensive lengthwise, 0.9 inches wider overall, and 7.2 inches greater in wheelbase.

Basically, Tesla’s electric pickup truck manages to span the divide between mid-sized and full-size models, although it’s definitely more aligned with the latter than the former. Grammatically corrected: Basically, Tesla’s electric pickup truck bridges the gap between mid-size and full-size pickups, though it’s clearly closer to the latter category than the former.

Elon Musk revealed on Joe Rogan’s podcast last month that the Cybertruck weighs in at around 6,000-7,000 pounds, which he dubbed a “heavy truck.” When asked “So how heavy is it?” Musk’s answer was definitive.

The Fast Lane EV freshly reported that the weight for the two-motor model and the three-motor edition is in accordance with Elon Musk’s educated guesses: 6,670 lbs and 6,890 lbs respectively. This level of bulkiness equals to that of a Ford F-250 vehicle designed for heavy-duty tasks.

Tesla’s new Cybertruck boasts an impressive towing capacity of 11,000lbs and a payload capacity of up to 2,500lbs, as declared in the advertisement displayed at its San Diego display. This towing capacity is equivalent to that of Rivian’s R1T mode and surpasses that of the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV’s which only have 10,000lbs ratings.

To the surprise of many, the Cybertruck’s payload capacity is a whopping 265 pounds more impressive than that of the F-150 Lightning and 736 lbs ahead of the Rivian R1T. It’s also loaded with a bed manufactured out of ultra-tough sheet molded composite, making it evermore durable. Additionally, it purportedly boasts a maximum tongue weight (or Karaoke Weight, as some have taken to calling it) of up to 1,110 lbs during normal driving conditions.

Many wonder how large the Cybertruck’s truck bed is, with reports by The Fast Lane EV estimating a length of 72.8 inches and breadth of 51 inches. This size is 5.7 inches more extended and 0.4 inches wider compared to the F-150 Lightning’s bed measurements. On the flip side, the Rivian R1T’s bed is 18.8 inches longer but 0.1 inch smaller in width than the Cybertruck’s platform. The latter comes equipped with a powered tonneau cover plus two 120V outlets and one 240V port at the back.

It appears that the Tesla Cybertruck boasts a frunk, with reports suggesting its capacity is about 7.1 cubic feet. This is considered to be half the size of the F-150 Lightning’s frunk. All the same, the weight capacity of the Cybertruck’s frunk might be as much as 420 pounds – trumping the Lightning’s figure by 20 lbs. With that being said, however, no charging portals are present in the Tesla Cybertruck’s frunk.

A video that was released onto the internet at the end of October demonstrated that the Cybertruck’s front trunk could be opened and shut electrically – thus resolving an intense back-and-forth conversation between people on the web concerning this particular matter. A further video from the start of the same month illustrated that the Cybertruck also included an in-bed storage chamber.

Tesla declared back in 2019 that the Cybertruck would have single-, dual- and triple-engine configurations, but it appears that the lone-motor variation has been cut. Last month, the NHTSA’s 2024 Model Year VIN Decoder published that the Cybertruck would be available with two selections – a double motor and a tri powertrain – both of which providing standard all-wheel drive.

While we don’t know power and torque ratings, Elon Musk said in late October that Tesla aims to achieve a 0-60 mph time of under 3 seconds for the “Beast Mode” version. The sub-3-second time is likely for the performance variant of the Cybertruck, which is expected to come with a tri-motor powertrain.

“The performance of the Cybertruck ‘kicks ass next-level’, according to what Musk said in September,” there has been speculation that the Cybertruck’s tri-motor powertrain could be derived from the Model X Plaid, yet this has not been officially confirmed.

It is uncertain just how much mileage the Cybertruck’s battery will provide, yet there appears to be some chit-chat speculating it might be around 350 miles per charge. One member of the Cybertruck Owners Club evidently heard this from an unnamed Tesla engineer they crossed at a Supercharging location based in Mojave, California. Nevertheless, until it is discussed or declared by the automaker, we should certainly take it with a pinch of salt.

The purported battery pack for the Cybertruck is anticipated to possess 4680 individual cells, which are being assembled at Tesla’s production facility in Giga Texas. Notably, the Cybertruck will be Tesla’s maiden passenger vehicle to make use of an 800-volt electrical system, that could enable a shorter DC rapid-charging time as well as other benefits.

Reports of the Tesla Cybertruck have been observed frequently exhibiting its rear wheels in motion as it navigates at slower velocities, so we can be confident that the rear-wheel-steering mechanism will come with it, and hopefully even as standard. Featuring all-wheel steering should allow the Cybertruck to possess a more efficient turning capacity than other trucks without this feature.

Watching the current drone footage, it seems possible that the Cybertruck might share a crab-walk capability similar to the GMC Hummer EV; however, this has not been verified.

Concerning the chassis, it is understood that the Tesla Cyber-truck has an adjustable air suspension with both on and off-road driving capabilities. Multiple models have been seen lately playing host to various height settings, and the difference between the bottom position and peak setting seemed fairly vast.

The angles of method, exit and interruption that appear to be rather commendable for a lorry of this magnitude should ensure that the Cybertruck does well when off-roading. Grammar corrected: The angles of approach, departure, and break-over that appear to be quite commendable for a truck of this magnitude should ensure that the Cybertruck performs well when off-roading.

In the past, Elon Musk proposed that the Cybertruck should have a versatile suspension setup which would be harmonized with their advanced Hardware 4.0 computer. This setup would permit the vehicle to modify its ride height using criteria such as speed, wheel angle, and road conditions, amongst others.

It is without a shadow of a doubt that one of the major unidentifiable aspects about the Tesla Cybertruck is its cost. At its introduction in 2019, Tesla declared that the solitary engine adaptation will procure for a minimum of $39,900, double-motor adaptation at $49,900 and triple-motor variation at 69,900.

Adjusting for inflation, estimations suggest that the Cybertruck Dual Motor may cost around $60,000 initially, and the Cybertruck Tri Motor could likely be valued beginning at approximately $85,000. Of course, this is all merely speculation since Tesla has not yet presented any information concerning pricing.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has firmly declared that the Cybertruck’s highly-durable stainless-steel shell is bulletproof, although he has mentioned the standard windows are shatterproof and thereby allowing them to raise and lower. He added that in the event of customers desiring extra safeguard, they have the option to install bulletproof windows.

During his most recent visit on the Joe Rogan podcast, Elon Musk declared that Tesla had conducted a demonstration encompassing the dumping of an entire magazine from a Tommy Gun – which is approximately fifty rounds – as well as shooting a 45 mm shotgun and a 9 mm weapon against the Cybertruck. Musk announced that this video will be presented to the public during the November 30th handover event.

No article on the Tesla Cybertruck would be complete without mentioning some of the outrageous claims made about it over the years. For example, Elon Musk himself said last year that the vehicle could “serve briefly as a boat” and would have a ‘Boat Mode’ allowing it to “cross rivers, lakes, and even seas that aren’t too choppy”.

Tesla has boasted that the Cybertruck has “the ability to pull near infinite mass,” leaving many wondering just how much it can take. To add to the mystery, Musk has now said the electric pickup will be “scratch-proof” to anything that’s not as strong as diamonds, thanks to an optional tungsten carbide coating.

Whilst these wild assertions are likely to remain just conjecture, fingers crossed that Tesla will provide an abundance of essential particulars which are still not known, such as battery and powertrain specifications, miles per charge, cost, and numerous other factors at the November 30th releasing.