- The Tesla Cybertruck appears to be approaching production, with a number of prototypes having been spotted on the road and on car carriers in recent weeks.
- The electric truck is still expected to be available in three variants, with the top version offering a tri-motor layout and a 500-mile range, which are specs that will require a battery with a capacity well over 200 kWh.
- Deliveries of the Cybertruck could begin in the late third quarter of 2023, with the company expected to produce the more expensive trim levels first.
It has been almost four years since the Cybertruck was revealed on stage in concept form to audible gasps in the audience. And it has been almost four years since Tesla CEO Elon Musk had another Tesla exec throw metal balls at the Cybertruck concept’s windows in a (mistaken) belief that its glass was armored, in one of the company’s many moments that could be easily a scene in a Paul Verhoeven film.
But the truck is finally showing signs of being headed to some form of production, with pre-series examples having been spotted by Tesla fans in a number of locations, either being trucked somewhere or sitting abandoned on the side of the road after a possible mechanical breakdown.
Since its first appearance in November 2019, the truck’s Bass Pro Shops pyramid aesthetic has only slightly evolved, with a few tweaks here and there. The most notable change has been the shortening of the nose—far shorter than on the concept—to the point that the edges of the front wheel arches are almost where the stainless steel bodywork ends.
The sides of the body also appear to have become more upright and slabby in recent sightings, with the Cybertruck appearing to lose some of its angled sides.
The Cybertruck has also gained some production-ready details, including side mirrors and a single large windshield wiper—a detail that conspicuously stood out in recent photos. In addition, the truck has received a much bulkier rear bumper, resembling 5-mph impact bumpers of the 1970s.
However, Tesla’s ordering website to this day shows what appears to be the early concept versions with a longer nose, and without a wiper or mirrors.
Can the Price Still Start at $39,000
But other than that, Tesla does not appear to have changed the exterior design much, even after rumors in 2022 that the truck might shrink overall by a few percent.
One aspect that is expected to change in the transition from concept to production is the promised starting price of $39,000 for the base model. Over the past four years the costs of materials have obviously changed quite a bit, mostly in one direction, as have a great many other things, which could ultimately push the price of the base model higher whenever that base model actually arrives.
As with other vehicles, Tesla is expected to begin producing the higher-spec variants first, before it begins churning out the base trim. And as we all remember with the $35,000 Tesla Model 3, that base trim could arrive much later down the road and account for a tiny percentage of all versions produced.
The Cybertruck still promises to land with a range of over 500 miles in the top Tri-Motor version—something that will require a very large battery—in addition to a payload of up to 3500 pounds, along with a tow rating of up to 14,000 pounds.
More affordable versions of the Cybertruck are expected to offer a Dual-Motor layout and a range of 300 miles, while a single-motor variant could see a 250-mile range. That is the version that was presumably promised to carry a $39,000 price tag.
Tesla Still Promising “Armor Glass”
The subject of the 500-mile range in a Tri-Motor Cybertruck has received some scrutiny in the past few months, as this version would require a battery pack that Tesla does not have in its lineup at the moment.
The longest-ranged Model S, for instance, uses a 100-kWh battery pack, achieving a 405-mile range in EPA estimates, and that’s with very favorable aerodynamics.
The kind of battery the Cybertruck might require to achieve a 500-mile rating in EPA testing—or something close to it—could land close to the battery size of the GMC Hummer EV, which features a massive 246-kWh gross (212-kWh usable) pack. Indeed, a battery of that approximate capacity is expected to power a Tri-Motor Cybertruck. As with the Hummer EV, the price of this version could be breathtaking, as could its curb weight.
The Dual-Motor version with 300 miles of range is expected to be the most popular of the three, at least when the entire model range debuts, and might hit a certain sweet spot of price and range. Just what that price could be is still difficult to judge, as it will likely require a battery with a capacity above 150 kWh, once again far above what Tesla has in its current lineup.
The base version, meanwhile, is expected to land with a 120-kWh battery, which is still larger than the units offered in the Model S and Model X. As such, some skepticism regarding the promised $39,000 base price is perhaps warranted.
Tesla still promises something it calls “armor glass,” though one probably shouldn’t take the use of the word armor too literally, or try to test its resilience with metal balls. Or golf balls for that matter.
One of the earlier Cybertruck prototypes, seen here on display in 2020, features a shorter rear bumper than the one headed for production.
“Ultra-strong glass and polymer-layered composite can absorb and redirect impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance,” the EV maker says, without elaborating why this is suddenly an important feature in pickup trucks.
The Cybertruck is also expected to employ an adaptive air suspension that will be able to raise and lower by four inches.
Just when might the first production examples be handed over to buyers?
Greeting a Drastically Different EV Market
The Tesla CEO has hinted at a delivery event slated for the end of the third quarter in late September.
Of course, as with a great variety of other things involving Tesla, it’s difficult to treat at face value any forecasts of something arriving until it actually arrives. And even then, there could be some asterisks involved.
What is clear is that the Cybertruck will arrive in a drastically different EV landscape than in the one it was previewed in concept form. Right out of the gate, the truck will face competitors from Ford, Rivian, Chevrolet, and GMC, with more on the way from other automakers soon, including Ram and Fisker.
One question that remains is whether those who initially liked the styling of the Cybertruck and reserved one will still consider it cool in late 2023 or early 2024, when it comes time to pay to be seen in one.
Or is it an aesthetic that had its brief moment in the spotlight but has now become stale?
Will the Cybertruck mostly appeal to early adopters or repeat EV buyers, or repeat pickup truck buyers? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.
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