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What’s the next big thing for electric vehicles? Probably pickup trucks. Ford is doing it and so are startups like Rivian. But Elon Musk isn’t about to be outdone, and tonight at the Tesla Design Center in Los Angeles, the electric automaker unveiled something truly different.
Maybe even too different, depending on how it looks when it eventually enters production. What Musk showed off tonight was arguably Tesla’s most radical product to date, a truck design that looks more DeLorean than Silverado—and was unveiled amid a couple of onstage mishaps.
Tesla chose to unveil this here and now because Musk loves Blade Runner. And to date, he’s made some wild claims about what it can do: out-truck a Ford F-150, outperform a Porsche 911, be “literally bulletproof” and ideally start under $50,000. It’s also “the official truck of Mars.”
The man’s a lot of things, but modest isn’t one of them.
“Trucks have been the same for a very long time,” Musk said tonight. “We wanted to show you something different... and we need sustainable energy now.”
The truck absolutely looks like something out of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi noir classic, too. It’s utilitarian to a fault, angular, brutal. It does, in fact, look like it was designed more for space exploration than trips to the mall. The Cybertruck isn’t what anyone would call beautiful, but it absolutely stands out.
At first glance it felt more like kit car or a concept than an actual truck you can buy—made of stainless steel, said to be resistant to hammer blows and even bullets. It’s a unibody truck, too, just like a Honda Ridgeline. No frame here. Motor Trend says the only color it will come in is silver, but you can get a vinyl wrap if you like.
Musk said the glass is impact-resistant, but this was clearly proven false during a dismal demonstration on stage. “We’ll fix it in post,” he said.
Anyway, here are the alleged specs: a 14,000-pound tow claim, a 3,500-pound payload claim, three ranges (200 miles, 300 miles and 500 miles), adaptive air suspension and a base price of $39,900 for the rear-wheel drive single-motor version. The max range version, with all-wheel drive and three electric motors, is said to be $69,900.
Production is said to be coming in late 2021, and the tri-motor version is happening in 2022, Musk said.
For the most part, this has been a pretty good year for Tesla. The third quarter was profitable, the critical Shanghai Gigafactory started producing cars, the Model Y crossover was unveiled and despite not really being $35,000 as promised, the Model 3 sedan is doing well. But Tesla has to keep the momentum going somehow. A truck of some sort would be a crucial part of the portfolio, and a chance to take the fight to competitors in a whole new way.
Then again, as with anything Tesla, some skepticism is justified. We’re still waiting on the Semi, the new Roadster and widespread adoption of the Solar Roof, to name a few.
And after watching this presentation—much of which felt awkward and rather half-baked—I was left wondering one thing: What did I just watch? Is Musk for real, or were we all just taken for a ride?
Even by Tesla standards, this one’s a leap. We’ll see if Musk proves us wrong, I guess. But if you saw that and were left scratching your head, I think it merely means you are still sane.
And designed by people who've probably never actually "used" a truck because with the bed being so high and sloping, this will be almost useless as an actual work truck for people in areas like construction, farming, etc. But then again, that probably isn't their intended market/buyer.
Curious how the, assuming, roll up bed cover works & if the tailgate ramp makes it to a production model. Which would also necessitate a tailgate that can open >90*
And designed by people who've probably never actually "used" a truck because with the bed being so high and sloping, this will be almost useless as an actual work truck for people in areas like construction, farming, etc. But then again, that probably isn't their intended market/buyer.
Curious, what specifically about the bed height is problematic?
Curious, what specifically about the bed height is problematic?
Bed rail at higher points would make it hard(er) for (some) people to easily reach over/in and grab something. Those people would have to climb up/in through the gate.
Curious how the, assuming, roll up bed cover works & if the tailgate ramp makes it to a production model. Which would also necessitate a tailgate that can open >90*
This is one model where most folks probably wouldn't mind a change from the prototype - I assume lots of things will be optional on such a truck, including that cover and tailgate depicted in the pics.
Bed rail at higher points would make it hard(er) for (some) people to easily reach over/in and grab something. Those people would have to climb up/in through the gate.
They might copy RAM and use in bed compartments to store small stuff - for the big stuff, yeah, you'd have to put it toward the back gate to reach it from ground level.
This thing is growing on me. I personally wouldn't get one because it doesn't suit my needs but it's got a crazy quality to it like it's half DeLorean half Hummer. The specs on it are better than an F-150, and destroy the Rivian R1T. The top of the line Cybertruck costs as much as the entry R1t but has twice the range and probably double the towing capacity, plus 250kw charging, etc etc.
The more I look at it the more I start to like it, it's like nothing else on the road, I think people's opinion of it will change over time.
Everyone hated the iPad when it was announced, everyone laughed at AirPods when they were announced (myself included).
I think it's cool looking and its specs are better than equally priced pickups, so it will win people over in time.
I liked the tug of war they did with the F-150, I was hoping they'd do that. This thing is a torque monster and it totally destroys an F-150 in low end torque.
The broken glass was a major fail though. And will be memed for a long time. It’s the new “funding secured” the new smoking pot with Joe Rogan. For haters it’s a perfect example of Elon making big promises and then not delivering which what they always claim. Elon needs to follow up on that, maybe release another video of it working, and explain why it didn’t work the first time. Bring youtubers and media in to do it themselves, try to break the new window. But he better be damn sure it doesn’t break the 2nd time.
Rumor has it that they had been throwing shit at those windows all day over 50+ times so maybe they finally gave in. Either way it was an embarrassing PR fuck up.
I don't think that's going to be a deal breaker for anyone. They could always lower the suspension to make it easier to reach over thanks to the pneumatic air suspension
Hummer H2 was impractical but lots of people liked it. The Cybertruck is way more practical, affordable, and bang for your buck than the H2 was. For 40k you get a truck with self leveling air suspension, 120v/220v power outlets and pneumatic air compressor to run all your equipment, 100sq ft of lockable storage, can tow 7500lbs+, 16in ground clearance, Autopilot, and seat 6 people comfortably. That's fucking insane!
What other truck offer all that for $40k!? Not to mention the low cost of ownership compared to driving an F-150 with lower fuel economy that costs you $150/mo on gas.
Let's be honest: if you're a truck person, you're not buying this. If you're a tech nerd with low self esteem and few to no friends who calls a handy man to plug in a light bulb, this is your truck.
No one who buys this is planning to use this as a truck.
When I first saw my immediate thought was when Homer designed a car...
that said, it’s designed looks very “future movie” designed. Which I also didn’t love.
then I saw how the bed works, etc. and dammed if if this ugly thing isn’t growing on me. I’d rock one. I might to start wearing more leather, some armor, and maybe an eyepatch...but I’d do it.
Let's be honest: if you're a truck person, you're not buying this. If you're a tech nerd with low self esteem and few to no friends who calls a handy man to plug in a light bulb, this is your truck.
No one who buys this is planning to use this as a truck.
I'd buy this to be able to haul motorcycles around. Built in ramp is nice.
After reading this, I'm liking it more and more. Truly function over form, and a design that is a function of engineering, not vice versa. It's a truck, it's supposed to be utilitarian. If people want a pretty truck they can go get themselves an F-150 Eddie Bauer edition.
The Rivian costs almost twice as much. You can buy the top of the line Cybertruck with 2.9s 0-60, 14,000lbs towing capacity, 500mi range for the same price as the base model Rivian.
What bothers me most is the perfectly triangular roofline. After reading the article, I understand why they did it.
Yes, it absolutely makes sense from an engineering perspective. The design is strong, simple, functional and economical, which is great.
From a usability perspective though, I see problems.
I’m already squinting my eyes at the thought of facing the sun while looking through that obscenely sloped windshield.
Dat tiny rear window tho.
Trucks are normally known for ease of ingress/egress, but it looks painful to try to enter the back.
The sharp and pointy design is cool, until your backseat passengers gash their scalp.
Armored underbody for off-roading, LMAO. Hardparking credibility more than anything. We will see how many overlanders and serious wheelers will actually use this for that.
IMO this is the perfect upmarket complement to say, a Ridgeline. Great for daily use (if you’re not a contractor) with its retractable bed cover. Unless you live in a bumfuck type of city, charging stations should be everywhere.
If you actually tow anything, all that torque should make it supremely easy.
What I haven't heard people talk about is the fact that in 2022 Tesla will be selling a vehicle with 500 mile range for $70k! the drag coefficient of the Cybertruck is probably higher than their other cars, the tires definitely have less rolling resistance, and a higher moment of inertia yet it will go 500 miles. Currently the Model S goes about 380 miles with 100kwh battery and it costs $80k. They must have some big battery improvements coming out soon, it'll be interesting to see how much the range increases in all their other models too.
11-22-2019, 06:03 AM
