Tesla Cybertruck event – 5 last-minute rumors before the big launch
Tesla is holding a glitzy party (sort of) in a few hours to celebrate handing over the Cybertruck keys to a selection of paying customers.
Most manufacturers would probably do this at, say, the local dealer, with the option of a few party poppers and a glass of non-alcoholic fizz. But Tesla is doing Tesla and hosting an event streamed live to the entire world (stay tuned). Youtube Channel) and will probably yield many more column centimeters than the delivery of Margaret and Keith’s new Volvo EX30.
Snarkiness aside, the Delivery Event will also (hopefully) provide insight into some pretty important spec details, like how much it will actually cost, its all-electric range and whether the previously spotted panel gaps lets in so much water, customers will be forced to wear Tesla brand anoraks while driving.
Luckily, because Elon Musk is at the helm of this company, numerous pieces of Cybertruck information have been leaked ahead of the big reveal, some of which appeared online literally hours before the event was set to take place.
Here’s everything we’ve learned about the Tesla Cybertruck in recent days.
1. You can specify it with a tent on the back
You can trust Tesla fans to dive deep into the weirdest sources for new information and X users Tesla_App_iOS did just that when they noticed changes in Tesla’s iOS app.
In the changes mentioned, we get to see one of the first accessories Tesla plans to offer on its Cybertruck and it turns out to be a rather funky tent that can be pitched on the bed of the pickup. According to leaked 3D renders and information from app updates, the device will come with a mattress and will be called ‘Basecamp’.
Sorry Space campersit looks like your $24,000 Cybertruck camper conversion will face some stiff competition once the electric pickup hits the streets.
2. Beast Mode is a thing
Elon Musk recently appeared on The Joe Rogan ExperienceJoe Rogan’s extremely popular podcast, which he famously talked the UFC commentator into joining fire an arrow at Cybertruck to prove its ultra strong appearance.
The whole Robin Hood act overshadowed the fact that Musk also hinted at a Beast Mode during a conversation. The same leaked app details that said Beast Mode looks set to appear on the upcoming Cybertruck, which appears to be in the same vein as the existing ‘Ludicrous’ or ‘Plaid’ modes seen on current Tesla models .
During his conversation with Joe Rogan, Musk suggested that in Beast Mode he hoped the Cybertruck would accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds. Quite a feat for a truck that weighs between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds (Musk also revealed this on the Joe Rogan show), which weighs over three tons.
3. Charging via solar energy seems to be an option
The same app update referenced “Cybertruck solar,” hinting that Musk’s idea of a roof of solar panels or a tonneau cover for the rear bed could be launched as an option.
Details on this remain very scarce, but the original idea was that the bed’s tonneau could provide some additional solar energy to power and charge external devices, or even add a few kilometers of range to the battery packs from Cybertruck.
4. The lights dance and a light bar is optional
BREAKING: 2 INVISIBLE FEATURES OF CYBERTRUCK Cybertruck wakes up in a light sequence and raises to start (sit low, up to medium aka ride height) pic.twitter.com/IXmtaj6RqTNovember 27, 2023
We reported on another leak yesterday showing that Tesla’s Cybertruck has a feature built into the front LED light strip that causes it to run a signature pattern program when the vehicle is unlocked.
Additionally, the aforementioned iOS app update also revealed details of an “OPTIONAL_ACCESSORY_LIGHTBAR”. This probably doesn’t have to do with those headlights, but with an extra strip of high-powered lights that can be added to the roof – at an extra cost, we think.
Whether or not these lights will be forward-facing, adding a distinct burst of lighting, or rearward-facing to illuminate the truck bed remains to be seen.
5. Cybertruck has a front camera
Images that have recently emerged of more finished Cybertrucks entering US showrooms show that quite a bit has changed since the early models of a few years ago.
Retractable door handles are gone and replaced by a button on the pillars, the dashboard is no longer made of white marbled material and is now more traditional black plastic and the rear view mirror that served as a demonstrator screen early on appears to be gone and in its place is a more traditional mirror.
One thing that has been added is a camera embedded in the front bumper area, something that Tesla has previously offered but subsequently dropped.
It looks like the feature, which was also rumored for the Model 3 Highland, is coming to Cybertruck and that’s a good thing, as visibility will likely prove to be an issue when driving the hulking electric pickup.