12+ Most Interesting New Features of Tesla’s Cybertruck

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday officially unveiled the Cybertruck at an event in Hawthorne, California. And even if you’ve heard about the Cybertruck before, what Musk debuted is likely not what you were expecting.

The Tesla Cybertruck is a wedge-shaped piece of steel that seems ripped out of a futuristic dystopian film. But while the design may be rather unique, the Cybertruck still comes with a suite of awesome and innovative features. Continue reading to learn about the 12+ Most Interesting New Features of Tesla's Cybertruck.

The Design (Clearly)

If you’re tired of the same old boring design in car manufacturing, then the Cybertruck may be for you. Just take one look at it that it’s clear that it doesn’t resemble anything currently on the market. While it may be contentious, there’s no doubt that it stands out.

Steel-Alloy Construction

It looks like something rolling through a post-apocalyptic wasteland — and it might be able to withstand it, too. The Cybertruck is crafted from the same “ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled” steel alloy that SpaceX uses for its rockets. That will allow it to resist damage, dents and corrosion.

Armored Glass

The Cybertruck also sports “armor glass,” which Tesla says will be able to survive a 9mm bullet by cushioning and averting impacts. While the demonstration of the glass’s durability went a bit awry onstage, Musk did say that the company will “fix it in post.”

Variants

For customers who like choice when they’re buying a car, the Cybertruck will come in a few different variants. That includes a single-motor, rear-wheel drive version; a dual-motor, all-wheel drive version; and a tri-motor, all-wheel drive version.

Speed

You probably don’t think of speed when you look at the Cybertruck, but Tesla’s stats suggest that it’ll be much zippier than you might expect. The tri-motor variant of the Cybertruck will be able to hit 60 mph in about 2.9 seconds.

Hauling Performance

Despite its speed, the Cybertruck is still a pickup — and Tesla hints that it’ll be really good at being at it. The tri-motor variant will be able to tow more than 14,000 pounds and carry a payload in its bed of up to 3,500 pounds.

Range

If you get range-anxiety with electric vehicles, Tesla has the Cybertruck variants for you. While the base model has a range of 250 miles, the dual-motor variant can go up to 300 miles. The most powerful (and expensive) tri-motor model can go 500 miles on a charge.

‘Magic Tonneau Cover’

The rear cargo bed, which has about 100 cubic feet of storage, will be lockable. Not only that, but it comes with a bed tonneau cover that can withstand the weight of a person standing on it. That way, you can stand on your Cybertruck and scope out the surrounding area.

Adaptive Air Suspension

Tesla is obviously designed the Cybertruck for less-than-ideal terrain, since it comes with an “adaptive air suspension” that can raise or lower the vehicle by about four inches. That should allow the Cybertruck some excellent ground clearance, and the feature is “self-leveling,” too.

Solar Panel Options

Additionally, users will be able to add solar panels to the tonneau cover as an add-on option, Tesla later revealed. The tonneau cover panel will be able to generate about 15 miles of range per day. Tesla also hinted that “fold out solar wings” could even bump up that amount even higher.

Cyberquad

Alongside the Cybertruck, Tesla also unveiled an all-electric ATV it dubbed the Cyberquad. It’ll only be available as a Cybertruck add-on option, but should be perfect for cruising the dystopian landscape along with its parent vehicle.

Interior Features

While Tesla didn’t reveal too much about the Cybertruck’s interior, it says that the vehicle will feature onboard power so users will be able to plug in tools, appliances and other electronics. Combined with solar panels on the exterior, that could result in some truly off-the-grid power options.

Release Date + Price

If you want to get a Cybertruck for yourself, you’re going to need to wait a while. Tesla says that the vehicle won’t go into production until late 2021. When it does, it’ll start at $39,900 for the single-motor RWD variant and go up from there.