New images and a video of the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck have revealed a few secrets about the rule-breaking electric utility vehicle (known as a ute in Australia).
The launch of the Tesla Cybertruck, a pet project of Tesla boss Elon Musk and the design of which is inspired by “cyberpunk” sci-fi movie Bladerunner, has been delayed due to supply chain “nightmares”.
Musk says he will announce an updated roadmap for the Cybertruck launch (along with the Roadster and Semi) in next Wednesday’s earnings call (US time) and that there will be an official opening event of the Cybretruck factory in Texas in early 2022.
A new video and images that surfaced on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum on Monday give us the latest look, including a photo with staff around for size comparison.
I can't believe this beast will be on roads next year.
Talk about a head-turner!
The Cybertruck makes every other pickup truck look so last century. 😂 pic.twitter.com/LLTAOYVpKT
— Dave Lee (@heydave7) January 24, 2022
But perhaps more interestingly, the video has some revealing commentary that tell us a few more things about the Cybertruck, which is expected to come with a motor for each wheel and the ability to drive in “crab mode” (that is, slightly sideways).
First up are the wheels: gone are the covered angular hubs shown at the Cybertruck’s initial reveal in 2019.
Instead, a more convential spoke design has been fitted:
We also get another look at the giant windscreen wiper, which was first spotted when the latest prototype was spotted testing on the track at Fremont in December. Keep in mind that this is still a prototype; at the time, Musk said this is not the production wiper.
A quick glance inside the vehicle reveals a touchscreen on an angle (it’s better to view the video below for this one – there is no audio by the way).
Another comment mentions that the back tray has a button on the inside that after the tailgate is down lowers the back of the vehicle, hinting at some pretty dynamic suspension.
But the detail that we like the most is perhaps the driver’s door handle; or rather, complete lack thereof. Unlike in this 2019 video, where the door handles “present” as with the Model S, the prototype seen in the video below has none whatsoever.
“So, how do you get in?” asks the person videoing the Cybertruck.
“If your phone was connected to it,” says the person showing them the Tesla ute, “you just bam and it would open.”
We’re getting Fonzie from Happy Days vibes!
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.