Looking like something straight out of a science fiction novel, the Tesla Cybertruck is anything but subtle minimalist design. It counters the safe, similar design that most car manufacturers conform to. Breaking the unbreakable windows aside, it is being very well received for its specifications, if more than a little polarising for its aesthetics. than a little polarising in it's aesthetics.
"Better utility than a truck, with more performance than a sportscar" is Tesla's official tagline so do the features match this? Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for durability and passenger protection. Starting with a 'nearly impenetrable exoskeleton', every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass. It boasts a towing capacity of over 14,000 pounds, which Tesla infamously put to the test by winning a tug-of-war against it's Ford F150 rival. It has room for up to six passengers, plus a full 'vault', deeming it fit for purpose as the utilitarian pick-up truck it claims to be.
It comes in three versions, the Single Motor AWD, Dual Motor AWD and Triple Motor AWD. The entry level single motor version has an affordable price tag of $41,000, rising to $69,000 for the triple motor.
An all-electric vehicle, the speed and range of the Cybertruck are significant. The top of the line Tri-motor accelerates from 0-60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds and has an impressive range of up to 500 miles. Pre-orders for the dual and triple models have been so strong since launch, that Tesla have changed their production timeline, bringing forward the top two spec'd models to late 2021. The single motor model will commence production in late 2022. The rush for pre-orders disproves any notion of this being a concept car and heralds a bolder era in EV design.
The traditional truck buyer may have been less inclined to purchase a vehicle based on its green credentials, placing a stronger focus on strength, endurance and ability to be put to task. This model however appears to bridge the gap between green and tough. Tesla have been successful in reimagining the sleek saloon in the Model 3, will they hit the mark with the truck buying demographic? 2021 will reveal whether their $100 pre-orders translate into real world orders. Whatever your opinion, the Cybertruck makes you stand up and take notice, and that may be the ultimate key to its success.
Sources:
https://www.tesla.com/en_ie/cybertruck
https://chargedevs.com/newswire/everybodys-talking-about-teslas-cybertruck/
https://interestingengineering.com/teslas-cybertruck-pre-orders-are-so-strong-that-it-changed-its-production-timeline