The Tesla Cybertruck, of course. Less a vehicle, more an A-list celebrity, trailed by the public and press wherever it goes. Every action is documented, every piece of information is eaten and inflated, and every comment is twisted and reinterpreted until nothing makes sense. It’s a self-sustaining frenzy because every mention generates a flood of clicks, and every image causes social media to erupt – whether with rage or excitement.
IS IT REALLY REAL?:
Yes. Stop rolling your eyeballs in the back. Customer deliveries begin at the end of November 2023, and options include the 845bhp ‘Cyberbeast’ tri-motor version we drove, which costs $99,990 and has a range of 320 miles, and a $79,990 AWD two motor version with 600bhp, 340 miles of range, and 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds. In 2025, a RWD-only single motor will be available with a 250-mile range and 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. You can get it in any color you like, as long as it’s bare stainless steel, and the starting price is $60,990 for that single motor truck.
The tri-motor has two induction motors on the rear axle and a permanent magnet motor in the front. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, complete an 11-second quarter mile, weighs 3,100kg, and has a 123kWh battery, Tesla’s largest yet. The claimed range of 320 miles is roughly comparable to the Ford F-150 Lightning, though Tesla will offer an optional plug-and-play 50kWh battery extender – essentially the pack from a standard range Model 3 – that bolts into the bed and takes up a third of your cargo space but increases the range to 440 miles (470 for the AWD version).
Performance:
The Cybertruck will eventually feature three different powerplant configurations. At launch, dual- and tri-motor variants will be offered with all-wheel drive; a rear-wheel drive single-motor vehicle will be added for the 2025 model year. The 600-hp AWD Cybertruck is said to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and top out at 112 mph. Those looking for the greatest performance will appreciate the Cyberbeast, which has three motors producing a total of 845 horsepower. Tesla claims that this will teleport the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds (!) and have a top speed of 130 mph.
Battery:
Tesla has not publicly confirmed the Cybertruck’s battery sizes, but based on EPA data, we estimated 122.4 kWh. When connected to a Supercharger, the business claims the AWD model can add 136 miles in 15 minutes, while the Cyberbeast adds 128 miles in the same timeframe. The driving range of the electric truck varies depending on the number of motors, but Tesla estimates that AWD models can travel 340 miles each charge, while the Cyberbeast can travel 320 miles. These claims increase to more than 440 and 470 miles, respectively, with an optional range extender battery pack that sits within the truck’s cargo bed. When the RWD Cybertruck comes, it will have an estimated range of 250 miles.
Connectivity:
Every Cybertruck features a large 18.5-inch touchscreen situated horizontally in the center of the dashboard. Rear-seat passengers can also use a 9.4-inch touchscreen located on the back of the center console. While we don’t know what infotainment and connectivity options are included, they’re likely to be similar to what Tesla offers on other models.
Conclusion:
Were you one of the millions who paid a $100 deposit to acquire a Cybertruck all those years ago? If you loved it previously and can tolerate price rises, you’ll love it now. Tesla has done the rarest of things – albeit much later than promised – by bringing the sci-fi fantasy concept truck we originally saw in 2019 into production in virtually same shape.