Official release day. Looks pretty solid–more than I was expecting, really. Two interesting new tech developments: 48-volt architecture and steer-by-wire. Frankly, even if the Cybertruck serves mostly as a testbed for these things, it’ll probably pay off. Auto companies have been trying for years to shift to 48v and haven’t pulled it off yet. Steer-by-wire should be big, too. It also has an 800-volt architecture, though they aren’t the first there.
The basic specs:
Not bad at all. The AWD version is significantly cheaper than Rivian, and better specs than the equivalent model. The Cyberbeast version has much better specs and comparable price to the top-end Rivians. And some practical features like the tonneau cover.
They managed to tow a Porsche 911 at the dragstrip faster than the 911 could run by itself. And did a tractor pull event, easily beating the electric competition and an F-350 SRW Diesel.
I think they’ll sell plenty of them (once the production lines ramp up). More than enough people around that’ll buy something that looks different from anything else on the road as long as it’s practical.
What concerns me a little bit, is that people will essentially be driving dragsters in the mix regular ICE cars. And, as is human nature, they are gonna want to let people know.
Those are all the “after possible savings prices.” The real starting price is $61k. AWD is $80k. Beast (i.e. Rivian quad-motor) is $96,390. So, pretty much head to head. We’ll see how this shakes out. I have an order in for an R1T which I may or may not buy, but I’m not in the market for this at all. Aesthetics aside, I’m not giving Elmo my money.
You have a point–the Rivian quad motor is stupid fast. The Plaids are, to coin a phrase, ludicrous. Even the Lyriq we’re waiting on is 4.5 seconds 0-60, which not too long ago was seriously quick.
Thanks, I saw that after I posted and hadn’t had a chance to correct it. I think the Cybertruck is still a little ahead, but you’re right that the ~$10k difference is significant.
The Cybertruck also supports 11.5kW of accessory outlets. That’s a 240v/40A outlet in the bed, plus a few others.
It’s a perfectly valid concern, but for better or worse it’s a done deal. EVs of all sorts have ridiculous acceleration now; more than enough to get you in trouble. It probably doesn’t matter much if your 0-60 is 2.6 seconds or 4 seconds.
I’d support some kind of requirement that high-acceleration vehicles have some kind of anti-collision system built in, so that you can’t just inadvertently floor it into the car (or pedestrian) ahead of you.
I will say that around here I don’t see people hooning their EVs much if at all. Diesel bro trucks? Yupper. I’m not sure there’s the same endorphin feedback without the noise and the ramped power build. Our old Audi S4 (twin turbo, chipped) had serious turbo boost and it was addictive because of the hit. The Evs are all faster, but linear. I dunno. I might be getting old, too.
Agreed, though some of it is probably just that it’s less apparent. You don’t notice if someone is flooring it due to the lack of engine noise and more effective traction control, etc. They just silently accelerate.
The recent Bentley crash (almost certainly caused by inadvertent acceleration, whether from pedal confusion or otherwise) indicates that it’s not just EVs with the problem, though EVs have pushed down the cost, and also into models which traditionally wouldn’t have great acceleration (i.e., not sports/luxury cars).
Yeah–I posted in another thread that we have a Nissan Leaf as a rental right now–it’s quick for an ‘entry level’ CUV, but I’m not ramping it up all the time. Plus you get the immediate feedback on range loss. Do a few max acceleration runs in a Rivian or CT and you’ll be heading for the charger. Of course in a Demon 170 or a Bugatti Chiron it’s the same–they both run through full tanks in 10+ minutes at full snort.
As for the Cybertruck specifically, it does at least have much better forward visibility than most trucks. There’s no honking block of a front end like most. Pedestrian safety should be a tad better than usual.
Same here. Diesel trucks with gigantic aftermarket exhausts hitting WOT spewing smoke and noise. Plenty of other loud vehicles like Subarus and Harleys as well. Maybe I just don’t notice the EVs gunning it?
I floor my ‘gas’ pedal often, but not when it would be noticed. I paid for the 420 horsepower version, so I’m going to enjoy it. The downside is you really can’t punch it for more than a few seconds, lest you reach stupid speeds.
I’m concerned I’ll have that desire as well and what that will mean for tire longevity. I drive a Subaru which means flooring it is just a subtle hint to speed up. But on my motorcycles…well, that’s a different story. Passing in the Subaru is a well planned chore. Passing on my Buell is something I can do nearly anywhere and is always a joy. 60 → 100 NOW!
