Cybertruck

[Laconian]

There however is no telling what preproduction stage the truck in any of these photos is from.

The trucks actually have decals that indicate what stage they're in: RC. Release Candidate

https://electrek.co/2023/09/06/cybertruck-release-candidate-spotted-supercharging-shows-why-we-need-v4/#:~:text=In%20software%2C%20%E2%80%9CRC%E2%80%9D%20stands,and%20beta%20versions%20would%20be.

[Madman]

So they let it out knowing it looked like garbage weeks before release?

Typical Tesla build quality.  Their existing customers won't notice any difference.

[r0tor]

The trucks actually have decals that indicate what stage they're in: RC. Release Candidate

https://electrek.co/2023/09/06/cybertruck-release-candidate-spotted-supercharging-shows-why-we-need-v4/#:~:text=In%20software%2C%20%E2%80%9CRC%E2%80%9D%20stands,and%20beta%20versions%20would%20be.

They are not production units though

[r0tor]

So they let it out knowing it looked like garbage weeks before release?

Every automakers has mules running around.  Most are camo'd , but with this thing it's a bit too distinctive

[Morris Minor]

[Eye of the Tiger]

[AutobahnSHO]

[Laconian]

https://www.theonion.com/elon-musk-fans-explain-why-they-love-cybertrucks-1850991183

[Morris Minor]

There however is no telling what preproduction stage the truck in any of these photos is from.

Allegedly this was a prototype, not a release candidate, that Holzhausen took somewhere.

[Laconian]

Useful for scale

[AutobahnSHO]

So ugly.

[giant_mtb]

So much wasted space.

[AutobahnSHO]

Lol Ford throws shade

https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-breezes-up-obstacle-where-tesla-cybertruck-struggled

[r0tor]

that picture is probably Ai generated.  The whole cybertruck is matte finished and then you have a gloss finish in the back where the bike is?

no

[veeman]

I don't think the videos of the Cybertruck vs the Lightning going up the same hill are comparable either.

They both made it up the hill.  The Cybertruck took longer and wasn't as smooth about it but we have no idea if the driver was focusing on getting up the hill as fast and smoothly as possible or was just testing various aspects of the vehicle. It also looks like a first attempt. For the Lightning it could have been the driver's 10th attempt for all we know.

[AutobahnSHO]

I don't think the videos of the Cybertruck vs the Lightning going up the same hill are comparable either.

They both made it up the hill.  The Cybertruck took longer and wasn't as smooth about it but we have no idea if the driver was focusing on getting up the hill as fast and smoothly as possible or was just testing various aspects of the vehicle. It also looks like a first attempt. For the Lightning it could have been the driver's 10th attempt for all we know.

Agree, there also may be a spotter behind the lightning coaching them.

But it's fun that they are direct competitors in the segment. Scrappy upstart vs established leader. In a couple years wonder which electric truck will be leading in sales?

[giant_mtb]

Too many factors.  Dude driving the Tesla seemed like a noob, or the truck just wasn't in the right "mode" to get power down efficiently/smoothly.  Tesla has the much better tires (DuraTracs) in that situation, so seemed to be just more of a smoothness problem with either the computer or - more likely - the person modulating the ol' gas pedal.

[Laconian]

https://cleanenergyrevolution.co/2023/11/28/tesla-cybertruck-payload-capacity-29-less-than-promised/

Therefore, the Cybertruck's towing capacity is 21% less than promised, and its payload capacity is 29% less than promised.

The Tesla Cybertruck falls in line with its electric pickup competitors in terms of towing capacity. According to TheStreet, the Rivian R1T also has an 11,000 pound towing capacity, while the Ford F-150 Lightning can tow a maximum of 10,000 pounds.

In addition, the Cybertruck beats the R1T and the F-150 Lightning in terms of payload capacity. The R1T has a capacity of 1,760 pounds, while the F-150 Lightning has a capacity of 2,235 pounds.

However, the Cybertruck falls quite short of Musk's promise that it would be the "world's toughest truck." The Ram 3500 pickup has a towing capacity of up to 23,000 pounds.

[r0tor]

You can't tow with an EV so it's a bit pointless... Well unless you are towing a charging station anyway

[Laconian]

You can't tow with an EV so it's a bit pointless... Well unless you are towing a charging station anyway

Towing a running Generac while you drive. Genius.

[SJ_GTI]

Towing a running Generac while you drive. Genius.

Isn't that basically what the Ram EV truck is doing.

[CaminoRacer]

You can't tow with an EV so it's a bit pointless... Well unless you are towing a charging station anyway

Plenty of people near me only tow their boat 20-40 miles one way.

[Morris Minor]

Why are we comparing this thing to pickup trucks? Nobody is buying it for its utility.

[giant_mtb]

Why are we comparing this thing to pickup trucks? Nobody is buying it for its utility.

Which is part of the problem, IMO. It's the same reason people started getting upset with SUVs a decade or two ago for being "gas guzzlers."  People are buying this thing because it's "cool," not because they need it...EVs are allegedly all about being green and using less energy, but this behemoth isn't if it's just gonna be your DD.  And anybody who actually uses a pickup truck for pickup truck things knew that from day one.

I struggle to wrap my brain around it.

[MrH]

https://cleanenergyrevolution.co/2023/11/28/tesla-cybertruck-payload-capacity-29-less-than-promised/

When you don't validate anything and deny basic warranty claims, why not just pick numbers slightly higher than competitors?

[CaminoRacer]

I struggle to wrap my brain around it.

Everyone except the most ardent Muskers do

[r0tor]

Isn't that basically what the Ram EV truck is doing.

Well now that you say that... It's probably the most accurate way of describing that thing!

[giant_mtb]

Well now that you say that... It's probably the most accurate way of describing that thing!

aka, the only potentially useful EV truck to exist thus far.

[veeman]

The Cybertruck is similar to an oversized hybrid RAV4 with a hatch, which has a retractable roof, separated from the main cabin. It is a passenger vehicle which probably has similar "fueling" costs for the end user and is not designed to be a work truck or carry or tow heavy loads. Similar to the hybrid RAV4, it'll sell like hotcakes. It's much more expensive but it looks cool (to at least 2 million people who put deposits on one) and purchase of it will get you membership in the Tesla cult and a better seat at the green cred table.   

[GoCougs]

I think the covers are off EVs at this point - psycho Musk, falling sales and realization that EVs are not any sort of material environmental solution. The Cybertruck was hatched in the days of yore whereby it was all rainbows and unicorns.