Tesla’s truck of the future is already in the present. Elon Musk delivered the first 10 examples of his Cybertruck this Thursday during an event organized at the brand’s factory located in Texas.
A highly anticipated presentation, 4 years after the discovery of this very original looking vehicle, the subject of numerous misappropriations on social networks. Between the sci-fi ship fresh out of Bounty hunter or of Return to the future for his admirers. Or closer to a large brick or even a stainless steel container for its detractors.
A vehicle that leaves no one indifferent and that has reportedly exceeded 2 million pre-orders worldwide. A place in line for 100 dollars (and 100 euros in Europe) refundable, which leaves doubts about who will actually confirm your purchase.
“The best Tesla product.”
To start the evening off right, Elon Musk wanted to point out that it was the “The best product ever created by Tesla.”.
To demonstrate its resistance, with reference to the “omitted” In the 2019 window test, the same shooter appeared for this small challenge: Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen. Except this time there was no metal ball, a simple baseball that bounced off the window of the Cybertruck.
A durable, powerful, agile… and fast vehicle
Elon Musk then insisted on one point: the body of the Cybertruck, made of a stainless steel superalloy created especially for this vehicle, is bulletproof… from firearms, of course.
A video showed a shooter experimenting with weapons and ammunition of different calibers, impacting the bodywork.
“In movies it is common to see heroes or heroines hiding behind a car door to protect themselves from gunshots. It can’t actually work unless you drive a Cybertuck.”Elon Musk joked.
Next, the Tesla boss commented on the vehicle’s towing capabilities, capable of towing up to almost 5 tons.
The Cybertruck is also equipped with four-wheel steering and electronic steering by wire (“cable steering”), with “a better turning radius than a Model S”Elon Musk stressed.
A vehicle that would feel comfortable on construction sites, but also when accelerating in a straight line. The Cybertruck can go from 0 to 96 km/h (100 miles per hour) in 2.6 seconds.
And why not humiliate a world-famous athlete for the occasion? A video shows the Cybertruck in front of a next-generation Porsche 911. Logical victory for the super-powerful electric vehicle in this standing start exercise… except that the 911 turns out to be slower than a Cybertruck… that tows a 911.
Reproduction of a test carried out with a Model X in 2016: the giant SUV then reserved the same fate for an Alfa Romeo 4C.
Without really giving more details, Elon Musk himself started the delivery campaign by opening the door to the first owners.
There are no details about the interior, of which images had already circulated. The Cybertruck notably recovers the steering wheel without a switch from the latest Model 3 for Europe or the Model S and Model X Plaid with a Yoke steering wheel.
Prices rise sharply, as expected
Meanwhile, the Tesla configurator was being updated, with the opening of orders in the United States. In France, the dedicated page only provides information, confirmation that the vehicle is not currently destined for Europe.
In the United States, prices have increased considerably compared to what was announced in 2019, that is, three versions that cost respectively $39,900, $49,900 and $69,900.
Two versions will be available for deliveries in 2024, a version with four-wheel drive and 547 kilometers of autonomy from $79,990 and a version “cyberbeast” with three engines, 514 km of autonomy, from $99,990.
A basic version, with propulsion and 402 km of autonomy, will be offered in 2025 with a starting price of $60,990.
Once again it is possible to reserve the Cybertruck in North America, with a reservation bonus of $250 “fully refundable”.
Source: BFM TV
