Elon Musk Unveils 'Cybertruck' Electric Pickup Truck 509
At an event in Los Angeles, California, Elon Musk unveiled the company's first electric pickup truck, called the Cybertruck. The design is unlike any other vehicle on the road today, consisting of a stainless steel alloy body that is dent-resistant, scratch-resistant, and sledgehammer proof, as evident by the onstage demo. (The glass is stronger than standard car glass, but sadly it didn't survive the sledgehammer test.) The truck will come in three versions with 250-500 miles of range, depending on the model. It will start at $39,900 for the Single Motor RWD configuration and can be pre-ordered today for $100.
According to Musk, the Cybertruck has pretty much the same dimensions as every other pickup on the market today. It's 231.7 inches long, 79.8 inches wide, 75.0 inches tall and can seat six people. Where it differs is in the performance. Musk claims the Cybertruck can reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds before continuing through the quarter-mile marker in under 11 seconds. It can also tow up to 14,000 pounds and carry 3,500-pound cargo in its industry-standard 6.5-foot bed.
We covered the Cybertruck unveiling live in LA. Check our Twitter for updates, videos, and photos. Here are some close-up shots of the Cybertruck (via our Twitter page):
According to Musk, the Cybertruck has pretty much the same dimensions as every other pickup on the market today. It's 231.7 inches long, 79.8 inches wide, 75.0 inches tall and can seat six people. Where it differs is in the performance. Musk claims the Cybertruck can reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds before continuing through the quarter-mile marker in under 11 seconds. It can also tow up to 14,000 pounds and carry 3,500-pound cargo in its industry-standard 6.5-foot bed.
We covered the Cybertruck unveiling live in LA. Check our Twitter for updates, videos, and photos. Here are some close-up shots of the Cybertruck (via our Twitter page):
Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Funny)
I second that! Dents and scratches would be an improvement.
Re: (Score:3)
I second that! Dents and scratches would be an improvement.
Dents and scratches are an improvement to any pickup truck.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Informative)
industry-standard 6.5-foot bed
That may be the standard for today's pussified trucks, but a real truck has an 8 foot bed that can hold a pallet of plywood.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Informative)
One thing is for sure - almost nobody is going to lack strong feelings one way or another about this vehicle. ;) Thankfully, it doesn't matter how many people hate it. After the presentation it looked like orders were ticking in at over 10k an hour.
Re: (Score:3)
It looks as bad as the car that Homer Simpson designed [fandom.com] that ruined his brother's car company...
I saw this on a tv at the gym, and thought it was a joke, as that I wasn't close enough to see what they were saying on CC, wow...I can't believe they'd really release something like this?
What's Elon smoking these days?
Re: (Score:3)
Yeah, that thing is ASS ugly.
Depends whose ass you're talking about. My girlfriend's ass is a beauty. While this truck is a monstrosity. Please don't put all asses in the same basket.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Informative)
When ever something is drastically different then the normal there is a lot strong feelings. Stravinsky's Right of Spring caused a Riot when it was first played to the public. Because it was much for different then the norm.
Today when we hear the Right of Spring, we see it as a rather calming and safe piece of music.
First of all, it's "Rite," not "Right," and there's a big difference.
Second, if you think the music which accompanies a ballet in which a young woman is danced to death to appease the gods is calming and safe, then Stravinsky has failed miserably.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Funny)
Let me be the first to ask, "What the truck is that?"
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
It doesn't look very practical, and I'm not sure that shape would even be legal in Europe because of safety requirements. Certainly the big white light at the front isn't, there have to be two headlights and two daytime running lights, no more no less.
This can't be the final shape though because it's missing some stuff like Tesla's camera suite that they are bound to want to fit to it. They need wing mirrors or cameras for that too.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
I agree that we'll see some significant evolution over time.
I initially oscillated back and forth between loving and hating the thing. After reading about the engineering decisions behind it [motortrend.com], however, I'm almost entirely in the former category. They're basically building it like a cantilever bridge, with the diagonals helping bear the rear loads. That's amazingly clever. Picture a top-supported cantilever bridge, and instead of a beam truss, using a continual (abnormally-thick) skin. That's their loadbearing system.
As for aero, they're overcoming the flow detachment off the top by ensuring a shallow-enough taper angle for reattachment, and may potentially combine it with suction, which AFAIK would be a first for a mass-manufactured vehicle. Despite how it looks, there's actually more challenges with airflow around the A-pillars than over the top ridge.
As for construction, normally it's really hard to build out of such thick stainless (to the point of being able to soak 9mm rounds and sledgehammer blows) - it's very difficult to stamp. The planar approach however lets them simply score out the folds and then fold it up like origami. So there's no need to build a press line. And since it's stainless, there's no paint shop either (and its permitting challenges), and no requirements for warrantied paint work. Just a ton of cost savings - and thus, a reduced entry price. While simultaneously being "armoured" to a degree you won't find on any mass-market non-military vehicle.
I'm the sort of person who loves clever engineering solutions and hates when people let their personal style preferences dominate over good engineering (for example, when manufacturers add draggy flourishes to make the car look "hot" or whatever their designers think it is that they're doing). Initially my take was that this was simply some attempt to affect a cyberpunk aesthetic at the cost of aerodynamics, which initially set off my "dislike" flags. But after reading about the engineering design decisions... I freaking love it :) Such out-of-the-box thinking.
So yes, I'm sure we'll see a number of different changes between this and the final version. But as for the general concept... I like it.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:4, Interesting)
The problem with the cantilever design is that it results in high sides. Normally the whole side of the bed is the same height and it's easy to reach in and grab stuff that's right behind the cabin. The sloping walls Tesla has designed prevent you from accessing it so easily.
I wonder if the cantilever design was out of necessity rather than because it's a good idea. Normally you want all the load on the axels but because they use the skateboard layout for the battery it might put too much stress on it. Can't have the battery being deformed. On the other hand the rigidity of the battery and frame around it may also be a problem with an uneven load.
That article has some interesting photos. They will need to redesign the bed, it needs things like drainage holes to be practical. The nose will need to change to meet pedestrian safety requirements. The "Knight Rider" steering wheel will have to go to.
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Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm the sort of person who loves clever engineering solutions and hates when people let their personal style preferences dominate over good engineering
But I bet you're not a pickup truck owner, or if you are, I bet you're not one that actually uses the bed for its intended purposes. I am. In fact, I am exactly the audience that Tesla wants to target, and he's been idiotically stupid because this does not look like a truck. Moreover, it is hard to use as a truck, and has characteristics that are anathema to a truck.
A pickup has basically two needs: (1) to be able to carry substantial load in its bed, where substantial can mean either in size or weight, or both, including things like lumber, equipment, furniture, etc., and (2) to be able to easily load and unload that cargo from as many access points as possible. The cybertruck might or might not succeed in the first case -- it's impossible to tell without more detailed photographs, but it utterly fails in the second since the sides of the bed are blocked.
As for style, there have been a number of previous attempts at similar ultra-futuristic / ultra-macho vehicles. Every one of them has been an utter failure in the marketplace, and in two instances, contributed to the company manufacturing them to declare bankruptcy or cease operations entirely (Hummer and DeLorean).
And, also utterly missing the boat as far as marketing goes, truck owners do not care if their truck gets to 60 MPH as fast as a sports car. Driving a truck like that -- with a load in the back -- is unquestionably reckless.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:4, Insightful)
And, also utterly missing the boat as far as marketing goes, truck owners do not care if their truck gets to 60 MPH as fast as a sports car.
But they might care about massive low-speed torque, the ability to tow 14,000 lbs, and built-in power outlets. The latter are the selling points. The former is just icing on the cake.
I am exactly the audience that Tesla wants to target, and he's been idiotically stupid because this does not look like a truck.
If that's your problem with it, you're not the audience that Tesla wants to target. If they were only going after stubborn old men who hate change, they'd have made it look like a regular pickup truck.
another daily truck driver perspective (Score:5, Interesting)
I think this cybertruck is a brave design and I applaud the innovations. I am excited at the prospect of possibly plugging corded power tools directly into this thing on a job site. Also, recharging cordless tools would seem like a no-brainer.
Basically, this checks a lot of boxes for me as a daily truck driver.
endless customization options (Score:4, Interesting)
The 4x4 / truck customization market is huge. This cybertruck will be a popular foundation for many third-party products. DIY'ers will have a hayday.
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you left off towing. without reading the article (where do you think we are?) or digging into the specs -- i bet with the electric drivetrain and instant torque, it would be great for towing a trailer
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
Hideous
It's angular like a stealth bomber. I bet it looks really awesome with the suspension lowered right down and blowing past people on the highway.
Plus: It's bigger, badder and bulletproof. In the USA it'll sell more than every other Tesla combined.
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It's one of those things where, you know, even Hummer H1 owners have to worry about scratching their paint. This? Go on, bash it up against whatever brush or rocks you want.
The other day it was in the news that a (US football?) fan got an alert from his Tesla (Sentry Mode) that his car had been attacked (Sentry Mode got good footage of the perp, but he's not yet been identified). The guy had kicked the car as hard as he could, leaving a dent. Yeah, try that with this truck ;) At best you'll do nothing,
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That's kind of the point, isn't it? This is meant to appeal to the early adopter market segment, the people buy things *because *they are radically different. Five years ago it was enough that a vehicle be electric, but that's hardly groundbreaking now.
There's an architectural style called "Brutalism" which employs blocky geometric concrete shapes. Brutalism is notorious for creating buildings that everyone hates, but if everyone hates Brutalist buildings, why do clients commission them? Because Brutali
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Funny)
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Interesting)
I've seen multiple people on Twitter do that exact photoshop, usually with Halo characters ;) Twitter's been having a blast with it. One person described it as "Dubstep in truck form". Another as "Robocop's redneck cousin's truck". Another as "When a DeLorean and an El Camino love each other very much..." ;) Lots of people also making jokes about it being so fast because there's so few polygons to render, or staring at their screen thinking that the truck hadn't finished loading yet.
I think one person summed up the event the best: "Ok, did I just see @elonmusk bring out a triangle on wheels called a #Cybertruck filled with Mad Max cosplay dudes, beat it with sledgehammers, break it's windows, drag around an F150, race a Porsche and then stick an ATV up it's ass and then say 'good night!'?"
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Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:2)
Ordered mine after 3 tries. The ordering system was over loaded. Went for the mid range AWD.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
You didn't order anything. You spent $100 in order to get in line. I was tempted, but then I read the T&C and noticed this bit:
I could be mistaken, though to me that reads that you just (potentially) burned $100 you can get back later (but only if you cancel the 'order') which only covers the cost of 'ordering' the product.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Informative)
You can get a Model 3 for $35k today [youtube.com]. It's just off-menu (same as the LR RWD). Have been able to since this spring.
Also, the stats for the Model 3 are way better than were initially promised.
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Actually the price is now over $35k, but close... Anyway, you can only kind of get one. They really don't want to sell it to you, and it's not available outside the US. And when it arrives it's not a $35k Model 3, it's got the more expensive interior, sound system and bigger battery, just software limited.
They must be taking a bath on them.
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I literally just gave a link of a person who literally just ordered one.
Re: Well that certainly is different (Score:4, Informative)
*Facepalm*
Okay, here's a person who just took delivery [reddit.com]. SR- (the $35k one) makes up a bit over 2% of all Model 3 sales [twimg.com] (Bloomberg survey).
How many people are there like you, who whenever they encounter something that is against their preconceived notions, insist that it must be a conspiracy?
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Look like Doc Emmet Brown has a new chassis for his Time machine.
Timehaulers Inc
We Leave Before we Come
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Funny)
This won't pass the safety standards of quite a few countries.
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Interesting)
Way to throw out decades of progress in collapsible car impact panels for pedestrian safety...
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It's almost as if you believe Tesla's run by idiots who don't know about other countries.
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Insightful)
Kinda reminds me of the Homer Simpson car.
If someone can explain to me how crumple zones work in a "stainless steel alloy body that is dent-resistant", I'm all ears.
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Interesting)
a) This is now their fourth or fifth vehicle. They've all been through approval and all scored very highly on crash tests.
b) I'm wondering how pedestrian-friendly the front end of a Ford F150 or a Dodge Ram is. They're both on sale, somehow.
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:5, Interesting)
If it's a 1998 it can also be torn asunder when it hits a 82 Chevy Cavalier in a parking lot going 50 mph with out causing any real damage to the Chevy. I know I had the fastback with the louvered window and tail fin. The accident ripped a 1.5ft wide slit down the side of the truck about 8 inches deep cutting the driver side door in half, detached the bed from the frame, and split the frame in half all I had to replace was my tail light cover. (it was the tail fin that sliced through the truck like a hot knife through butter)
I fought and fought with the insurance company but apparently if there is no posted speed limit in a private parking lot you can go as fast as you want. I ended up buying him a new truck even though I had slammed on the breaks and stopped when I heard him screech into the parking lot and he hit me while I was at a dead stop.
Re:Well that certainly is different (Score:4, Insightful)
This looks like a publicity stunt, not a real reveal of a new model.
There was nothing shown of the interior. The body is clearly unfinished, no cameras or wing mirrors. Nothing was demonstrated working, not even the bed. Figures are obviously round numbers, i.e. targets not measured values.
I've been noticing that Tesla seems to be trying to generate investment through hype a lot lately. Their "autonomy day" where they did fake "full self driving" demos, and then endless promises of new features and models. Musk tried really hard to sell the "robotaxi" concept as happening next year, which would obviously bring in vast revenues but isn't actually going to happen.
Seems like they have some cashflow issues they are trying to resolve.
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My bad, there is at least one video showing the interior now. Odd they didn't show it during the presentation, maybe Musk forgot after the disaster with the windows shattering... Or maybe he was worried about broken glass inside the car or the windows falling out if the doors were opened.
https://youtu.be/RWZHR6CXFp8 [youtu.be]
I am dumbstruck (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
The kind of designer who doesn't look at all the angles is the kind of designer who will make this kind of creative car and think it is good.
In fairness, I will be entertained every time I see one driving around in the wild.
Re:I am dumbstruck (Score:5, Insightful)
The Model S is a very attractive car.
The Model 3 is an amazing car to drive. So much fun, power and control. Instant acceleration is intoxicating.
Re: I am dumbstruck (Score:5, Insightful)
Opinions are going to be very divided, and thatâ(TM)ll make the Cybertruck popular without much marketing. This car will be remembered, and itâ(TM)ll arouse interest. Itâ(TM)ll likely become a collector item in the far future.
Tesla chose to go for an impact with this one. Typical looking electric trucks will be out there soon enough from other manufacturers, likely hitting road at the same time with this (late 2021-2022).
I donâ(TM)t think Tesla tries to even dominate the market with this one, but they will make their corner of it very visible. The name is sort of a mix of nostalgia, futurism and honest good hearted stupidity. This is a very tough car that is hard to resist - sort of a painful reminder that an era is coming to an end, and a new one is about to begin. The message is there. Thatâ(TM)s all about âoebeing the changeâ, too...
And here I am too commenting on a thread about a car and being philosophical...
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Opinions are going to be very divided, and thatâ(TM)ll make the Cybertruck popular without much marketing.
Yep.
What were they supposed to do, make it look like all the other trucks out there?
This is absolutely the right design.
To make it look like it drove right off the set of total recall or some other sci fi film. The first time one of those things hits someone at speed and slices their legs right off, come back and say its the right design. This thing will fail safety checks in so many countries.
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"Deathtraps" are not street-worthy. So, no, these things are not "deathtraps".
That somebody makes some claims does not, in any way, makes these claims facts.
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No, "we" have not. There are still cars with suicide doors produced in 2019, but only super-luxury cars have them. Well, the 2019 Lincoln Continental is not really that expensive, however the Rolls Royce models with suicide doors are.
Check the suicide doors advantages and disadvantages here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:3)
You do realize why the Jaws of Life were invented, right? Because doors tend to get stuck in crashes.
If the handles extend, the door is unlocked. If the handles don't extend, it's locked. The extension movement is part of the latching movement. The car's handles were in, and therefore locked. How exactly do you think a rescuer is supposed to open a locked door?
There's also a manual emergency release inside, like all cars. It wasn't pulled.
All cars - including Teslas - are supposed to unlock in an accid
So (Score:3)
Looks (Score:5, Informative)
I know looks are subjective, but for me that thing is ugly.
Specs are impressive though.
Re: (Score:3)
Yeah, yeah...
The first time you see on on the street you'll want one.
Plus it's bulletproof (9mm). What redneck wouldn't want that in a truck?
Re: (Score:3)
And what are the off road charging options for out camping or out on th
So they stole the Lancia Stratos Zero (Score:2)
design and name?
Re: (Score:2)
Heh not sure why I said name, good Canadian weed I guess.
Ugly and flawed... (Score:4, Interesting)
I've owned pickup trucks for a very long time. This is terrible. First, acceleration figures with pickup trucks are non-starters. Emphasis and design should always focus on low-end torque for low-speed pulling power and maintaining pulling power at speed. A pickup truck going from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds is USELESS.
Secondly, the bed rails are slanted instead of being parallel to the ground. This makes it impossible to carry and secure some loads and it actually makes it *very* dangerous to carry other types of loads. Hauling lumber or other material which extends outside the bed rails would be incredibly dangerous and ill-advised.
This is just absolutely horrible in almost every way.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Informative)
Emphasis and design should always focus on low-end torque for low-speed pulling power and maintaining pulling power at speed.
I have no doubt *at all* that the low-end torque will beat any existing pickup by extreme margins.
Re: (Score:3)
I have no doubt *at all* that the low-end torque will beat any existing pickup by extreme margins.
As lynnwoodrooster pointed out, not even close. Once you start tossing on turbo's or superchargers you start getting into the 1200-2000 lb-ft of torque ranges on a diesel as well. People who use pickup trucks for a living won't even look at these as something to use. It's why people start saying "electric transport trucks are the future!" I continue to chuckle, when they can't even get to half the low-end capacity of a V12 supercharged diesel engine.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Informative)
People who use pickup trucks for a living won't even look at these as something to use.
People who use pickup trucks for a living are not a large part of the pickup truck market.
Re: (Score:3)
People who use pickup trucks for a living are not a large part of the pickup truck market.
You'd be surprised at that one if you live outside of a city. For example if you live in Southern Ontario, most people in cities don't have one. But if you're 45 minutes outside of one you'll want one for a primary vehicle especially in the winter. And once you get out into western canada pretty much everyone owns one, and that's just for commuting.
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People who use a pickup truck because they live in cold climates in the winter is not the same thing as people who use pickup trucks for a living. They are intersecting sets. Pickup trucks are a huge segment in the US, and it is very clear that the large majority of people who own them are not people using them to make a living. It's also pretty clear that it is this larger segment that's of most interest to Tesla given their design choices for the Cybertruck.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Insightful)
> The 6.7 liter diesel in the F-350 has over 1000 lb-ft of torque. And it comes with a 35,000 pound towing capacity
The F-350 appears to top out at 21,100 lbs towing.
The Rivian R1T electric pickup truck has 10,325 ft-lbs of torque and 11,000lbs tow capacity, though that relatively low value is not for lack of power (700HP vs the 6.7L Diesel's 450) but likely the vehicle's weight.
Basically what I'm saying is, with the right chassis mods an electric truck will drag a small fleet of class-equivalent diesel trucks backwards up a mountain and barely break a sweat. No contest.
=Smidge=
Re: (Score:3)
What's called a 'pickup truck' in the USA encompasses everything from cars with a load bed to vehicles that would be classified as medium-size lorries everywhere else (like the F-350 and others rated for 12t trailers), and would require a commercial drivers' license.
This makes comparisons just based on the title "pickup truck" difficult. You're not going to meaningfully compare a VW Caddy to an F-350, and F-350/Cybertruck comparisons are just as meaningless.
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Re: (Score:3, Informative)
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Those same arguments have been made for their successful electric car. New things cost more for early adopters. Gas prices will only go up and manufacturing costs will only go down.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Interesting)
Gas prices will only go up
How so?
Because once most of us are driving EVs, we will vote to raise gas taxes on people like you.
That's how democracy works.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:3)
Cause in the US that's what >95% of your typical truck is doing.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:4, Funny)
No. It doesn't.
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This is electric. That torque is exactly how it accelerates.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Informative)
You obviously have no clue about EVs. EVs have massive low speed pulling power. EVs have massive torque. That's why they have amazing 0-60 times. Tesla showed a video where they did a tug of war between this and a Ford F150. The Tesla destroyed the F150.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:4, Insightful)
The Tesla destroyed the F150.
Of course, but I would not call that a fair comparison. The Tesla is heavier then an empty F150. It did not matter how much power the F150 had - the lighter truck was going to loose. I am not suggesting that the Tesla is not significantly better for low-end torque, but the F150 comparison was pure theatrics.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Informative)
Only if that "full sheet" is 5 1/2 feet long (for the standard F150 bed length).
As for the F350 destroying it in a tug of war, I suspect you are delusional. It certainly won't have more torque at the wheels, so the only question is whether a 350 weighs more than the Tesla.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3)
Cheaper and an entirely different class of truck, Sparky. That's as dumb of a comparison as doing a tug of war between the F350 and the Tesla Semi, which has more than twice as many horsepower.
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Why an F150? An F350 is cheaper,
In what world is a similarly configured F350 cheaper than an F150? Show me where you can find a similarly configured F350 for $40K USD. a four door F350 starts at $48KUSD!
It will out tow and haul any other half ton pickup (Score:3)
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Interesting)
Secondly, the bed rails are slanted instead of being parallel to the ground.
Adjustable air suspension allows the back to drop to facilitate loading the ATV. It will not be slanted during normal usage - at least no more then any other truck. Truck beds do tend to slant forward so they are level with a load.
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True, I think it's for somebody else than you though. My friend is a nurse, he owns a brand new RAM 1500. He washes and details it every weekend and his wife calls it his mistress. He uses his truck to drive to work at the hospital two miles away and for grocery shopping.
His wife, btw, drives a SUV for similar purpose. Similar waste.
An enormous number of SUVs and trucks are sold every year to people who really don't need them.
And I just remembered the 'Ute' loving Aussies, they were all about 0-60.
Re:Ugly and flawed... (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm sure this one will have no trouble with towing anything.
Probably not, as long as the trailer has a hitch. Fifth wheels will be a non-starter due to the shape.
Unfortunately (Score:5, Funny)
I doesn't make sense (Score:2, Insightful)
It's a start (Score:2, Interesting)
It looks like it was designed for an early 1980's low budget sci-fi movie!
On the serious side, I do a lot of towing but I have to use a diesel to get the torque and I'm conscience of the effects. I don't fly on any vacations and I never use it during the week, at weekends I keep it's use to the bare minimum, all trying to do my bit to minimise the environmental effects. I'm waiting eagerly for the electric car industry to get the tech right to start releasing electric tow trucks that can tow 2-3 tons easily
To review (Score:5, Insightful)
Features: mixed bag for a truck, really good for a crossover.
Price: outstanding
Aesthetic: Retrofuture dystopia, which, if you think about it, Trump is the President, so.........
Amazing. (Score:5, Insightful)
Twenty goodamn years I've been looking at Slashdot. This is the first time I've seen images on the front page, other than furniture, ornaments, and those times when someone defaced the front page with lemonparty, tubgirl, and Our Blessed Friend the goatse.cx.
Now fix your code page settings, dammit.
k.
Side mirrors? (Score:2)
Please Please Please! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Please Please Please! (Score:4, Funny)
Blurs the lines (Score:5, Interesting)
Slashvertisement! (Score:3, Insightful)
I have "disable advertising" clicked, and yet this article still appears.
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I have "disable advertising" clicked, and yet this article still appears.
You know the future has arrived when people are jaded to it, lol
It's a $%^& electric pickup truck with better specs than gas powered ones. It's also extremely nerdy.
The 80's 3D look (Score:4, Funny)
It looks like it was rendered on Commodore-64 3D CAD software.
Amiga game vehicle? (Score:5, Funny)
There are games from around 1990 in which the cars have more polygons than this car.
Truck owner here, and I will buy (Score:5, Funny)
This is a perfect example of form following function, and I just love it. I live in Texas, and our roads are crowded with oversized half-ton and larger pickup trucks driven by people (mostly men) who don't want to so much as get them dirty. There are tax incentives for small businesses to buy large, 3/4 ton and larger pickup trucks, so I see a ton of those. And I see a ton of chrome. I see a shit-ton of chrome, and bling, and redneck jewelry all over these things, and I almost never, NEVER see anything in the bed of those trucks. Forget those guys. Tesla started out with an awesome power train, and then it designed a truck body around it without any preconceived notions of what the average prissy redneck wants in a truck. To those guys who take their trucks to the car wash every Saturday . . . this truck is not for you. I'm going to buy one of these, and I'm not going to wash it, and I'm going to treat it like shit and it's going to be great. I'm going to park it at the grocery store and not have to worry about some asshole chipping the paint on the first week I own it (this has happened). I'm going to dump shit in the bed and not worry about damaging the bed ([COUGH] Ford [COUGH]). The only issue I have it will probably take a long freaking time before the mid-range model is available, but I can wait. While I wait, I'm going to go wash my truck.
80s computer game chic (Score:3)
It looks like something out of an 80s 3d arcade game.
two possible responses to this design (Score:3)
first, it's a badly scaled up Delorean looking for the next Back to the Future movie or
second, so they're shooting another Star Trek movie, eh? What happened to the rest of the props and crew.
Being on the edge of considering a pickup truck as my next vehicle I was looking forward to seeing what Tesla might bring to the table but this would never see it's way into my garage, even if the government legislated that all new car purchases must be electric. Far too radical. And, as someone mentioned, it's going to be interesting to see what happens when some old boy yahoo decides to try and drive it like a sports car while it's fully loaded with cargo.
But, one has to admit, it's easier to design and prototype with flat surfaces than curved ones so maybe the production models won't be quite to radical.
Normal trucks (Score:3)
Normal trucks are the shape they are for a reason. They prioritize roomy cabs over aerodynamics and have reasonably accessible boxes.
This thing looks like the back seat will be good only for people under 5 feet tall, and it's a good thing the sides are dent proof as otherwise it would get a lot of them from people trying to reach over the sides of the box.
Not sure why they would not take a normal pickup design (and they all look pretty much the same for a reason), and just add motors on each wheel and fill the front up with batteries.
I get it that the soccer mom set is their target audience, but it's unfortunate that no matter how capable and high torque the drivetrain is it does not look very useful as a pickup truck.
Re: (Score:3)