Tesla Cybertruck: It comes later and different

Actually, the Cybertruck was supposed to go into mass production at the end of 2022 with prices starting at a favorable $39,900 (currently around 36,050 euros). The dual-motor version was supposed to cost $49,900 (around 45,090 euros) and the tri-motor top version was supposed to cost $69,900 (around 63,160 euros). All prices have now been removed again, and a four-motor version has been announced. Plus various changes to minor and major details.

This means Tesla remains true to its announcement policy in a negative sense—this time, however, long before the “production hell.” The four-motor top version is to enable an extremely fast torque distribution and even move in "crab mode," meaning with four wheels turned in parallel. The reason for the change in course could be that Rivian is also bringing the RT1 pickup with four motors, which is why Musk in his tweet immediately followed up and announced the four-motor version as the starting version. GM offers all-wheel steering in the GMC Hummer EV, which makes it more maneuverable or allows it to crawl forward and backward in parallel.

Anyone who would have been satisfied with a wildly designed rear-wheel-drive model costing just under $40,000 will have to wait—and probably pay more as well. Musk left the question, posted via Twitter, of whether Tesla will drop the previous single-motor Cybertruck entry model unanswered. He also did not respond to the question of whether bestsellers from the tri-motor version can switch to the new top model. But further details still need to be clarified: The doors are supposed to come without handles and with extremely sturdy windows—but how are accident victims to be rescued in an emergency?

The suspension would become quite complex in the top model

Musk also wants to massively increase the suspension: In addition to all-wheel steering, there’s going to be a newly developed air suspension that will provide up to 41 centimeters of ground clearance. Electric individual drives might also make axles unnecessary in the top model, which reduce ground clearance—provided the engines move into or onto the wheels. One can also be curious about the towing capacity: Up to 6.3 tons are currently cited for the tri-motor version, which is supposed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds.

Many fabulous figures—but not all in one model

All fabulous figures, as are the ranges, which have so far been given as the equivalent of 402, 483 kilometers and a gigantic 805 kilometers. There is also supposed to be a solar roof version that provides an additional 15 miles (around 24 kilometers) of range. Retractable extra panels could increase the solar-generated range by 30 to 40 miles (48 to 64 kilometers)—if the average US American drives 30 miles a day, they could do that in "sunshine states" using only solar energy...And up to 250 kW of charging power is supposed to be possible at a DC charger. And for the loading area, Tesla is also thinking about a Cyberquad and Cyberbike, which can of course also be charged there.

The Cybertruck is planned to be built "close to market" in the new factory in Austin, Texas, where the foundation was laid in the summer of 2020. Model 3 and Model Y are also expected to be assembled there, which will then also receive the new 4680 cells intended for the Cybertruck battery. It is quite possible that the Cybertruck will take a few more years: currently, the fine print in the configurator states that assembly would start at the end of 2022. There are still "some" problems with the production of the stainless steel body as well as with the mass production of the battery cells.

What does that mean?

Typical American, typical Elon Musk: At its presentation, the Cybertruck was completely different, completely new, and yet it "fell behind" GM and Rivian in terms of details. This is unacceptable for Musk, who immediately counteracts by prescribing the top model with four instead of three motors and all-wheel steering. And this, despite the fact that batteries and stainless steel body might still pose significant problems. For those who simply wanted a visually unique, rear-wheel-drive Tesla pickup, these are not particularly good news...