The Tesla Cybertruck has undergone significant changes since Elon Musk first introduced the electric pickup in 2019. Not everything he promised has come to fruition.
Tesla's first pickup was ultimately revealed last November. The vehicle faced numerous challenges and struggled to scale to meet demand. Currently available Cybertrucks offer a shorter range and much higher prices than Musk suggested, with the base model now costing nearly $100,000. Below are more promised yet unrealized features.
Price of $39,900
Back in 2019, Elon Musk stated that the lowest-priced version of the Cybertruck would start at $39,900, with more advanced options retailing for $49,900 and $69,900. As is known, this didn’t materialize. By 2023, Tesla announced that its cheapest model would cost $60,990 and would be available in 2025. The price increase disappointed many Tesla enthusiasts, turning the Cybertruck into a status symbol.
In August of this year, Tesla unexpectedly raised the price of the all-wheel-drive Cybertruck to nearly $100,000 and eliminated the possibility of pre-ordering the cheapest rear-wheel-drive version at $61,000. It is currently unclear what the plans are for this model.
800 km on a single charge
In 2019, Musk promised that the most advanced three-motor version of the Cybertruck would achieve a range of 500 miles (just over 800 km). This would make it one of the most autonomous electric vehicles; however, this promise remains unfulfilled.
Currently, the automaker advertises the all-wheel-drive Cybertruck at $100,000, which has a range of 512 km, alongside a model priced at $120,000 with a range of 485 km. Tesla plans to offer a "range extender" — a device housed in the vehicle that boosts the range to over 757 km. Production of this device is expected to start in early 2025, with an additional cost of $16,000.
Cyberquad ATV
At the time, Elon Musk concluded the Cybertruck presentation with an unexpected announcement for the Cyberquad, Tesla's ATV. He mentioned on Twitter that the Cyberquad would be a two-seater ATV intended to launch alongside the pickup.
In reality, Tesla released a children's version of the Cyberquad for $1,900, which now retails for $1,650, while the full-sized ATV has yet to materialize.
Cybertruck as a boat
One of the most intriguing promises regarding the Cybertruck is its ability to float for a short period. Elon Musk stated that the pickup would be waterproof enough to traverse rivers, lakes, and even moderately turbulent seas.
Despite the Cybertruck featuring a "wading mode" that allows it to drive through water up to 76 cm deep for limited durations, it is not quite a boat at sea. However, Musk has not backed away from this feature, confirming it in December of last year. Tesla plans another update that will enable the Cybertruck to navigate water obstacles of at least 100 meters.
Crab Mode
In 2021, Musk claimed that Cybertrucks would have four motors, one for each wheel, allowing it to turn 360° and move diagonally like a crab. Lead Cybertruck engineer Wes Morrill stated in April that Tesla had experimented with this feature but had not found a practical application for it.
Source: Business Insider
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