Tesla Pickup Unveil

[Salty]

Why?

It'll certainly be hard to pack an air bag in there, but we all "drive" things in the sky with yoke-type steering wheels, I don't know why you couldn't make it work in a ground-pounder. Add some power boost and give it the same travel as most airplanes...

Because you don’t turn a yoke more than 60 degrees or so and you turn a steering wheel as much as 360. Watch the interior video when the guy tries to turn the thing around at the end he’s tied up like a pretzel.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Because you don’t turn a yoke more than 60 degrees or so and you turn a steering wheel as much as 360. Watch the interior video when the guy tries to turn the thing around at the end he’s tied up like a pretzel.

So they didn't extra-boost it and make it work like an actual yoke. Bummer.

Got a link to the video you're speaking of?

 

[Velocity173]

Yes. I was kinda hoping for this one, and the invite seemed to indicate something similar:

Exactly. I’m not even a truck fan but if they produced an electric truck like that, I’d buy it.

I can’t imagine this new truck having a low Cd. I can’t picture the airflow going around all those sharp edges and staying laminar. Just that pyramid in the middle alone, I can’t see the airflow staying attached. But, I guess if the F-117 flys with all those angles, it can’t be that bad on a truck.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

That thing is ugly. The second one on here is bad ass looking. Did no one at Tesla focus group the two models?

perhaps they did and realized there was no way they could keep up with the production for demand on the cool one so they decided to sell the fat ugly one for a while then roll out the sexy one later when they have better manufacturing.

 

[1RTK1]

There is a definite problem where I live if people went EV.
First, we don't have the electrical grid or desire to use fuels/nuclear to produce enough energy for that demand. Second, our roads will suffer even more than they do now until they find a way to tax the miles in an EV.

 

[Salty]

So they didn't extra-boost it and make it work like an actual yoke. Bummer.

Got a link to the video you're speaking of?

A steering wheel that reacts like a yoke would be unsafe. You’d be unable to control the vehicle.

You can see interior shots here:

 

[flyingcheesehead]

A steering wheel that reacts like a yoke would be unsafe. You’d be unable to control the vehicle.

I think you could control it just fine, once you got used to it. There'd probably be a few crashes in the parking lot, though...

 

[GRG55]

Mark Patey put out a video discussing why he bought one.
Also he mentioned that he accidentally bought 2 not because he wanted 2 but because he accidentally hit the buy button twice.

But he is going to go ahead and keep em both.

I want that kind of money.

First, he didn't actually buy anything. He gave Tesla, a company that has a long history of never meeting a self-imposed deadline, a deposit for two future production positions for a product it may not survive long enough to build.

Second, it's really, really difficult to "keep" something you don't have.

 

[GRG55]

...Sadly, the need is there, like Musk said in the beginning of the presentation, to electrify pickup trucks to solve the energy problem in the US. Our top three vehicles by sales in this country are all pickups. So, he articulated the need quite well - And then showed us a product that will not meet that need because nobody who buys a Big Three pickup today is going to buy a Cybrtrk or whatever it's going to be called...

My wife and I have 3 pickups between us, including an F350 diesel to haul her horse trailer (which btw cost more than any vehicle I have ever purchased for myself - the stuff we have to do to keep a happy home...). You are correct. This rendition wouldn't replace any of the three.

Yes. I was kinda hoping for this one, and the invite seemed to indicate something similar:

View attachment 80009

Now THIS would have gotten my attention. Although I would really have preferred Tesla to do a pickup rendition as elegant, subtly beautiful and state of the art as the original Model S when it came out. My wife calls my GMC Denali AWD 1/2 ton "the Opera Truck", and that's the one I would like to replace with a 300+ mile range EV pickup.

 

[Shawn]

I analyzed this idea on a Model S a while back, and came to the conclusion that even if you covered the entire surface of the car with solar panels, you'd only get about 7 miles of range per DAY if it was parked in full sun from sunrise to sunset. Unless you have a giant, roll-up solar array that you can unfurl in the wilderness (and not under trees), this idea is a non-starter.

Here ya go...solar will add a whopping 15 miles per day:

https://electrek.co/2019/11/22/tesla-cybertruck-solar-roof-option-add-range/

 

[flhrci]

Not interested in driving a triangle. And bad windows to.

 

[Salty]

I think you could control it just fine, once you got used to it. There'd probably be a few crashes in the parking lot, though...

You don’t see a potential problem with making a steering wheel 6 times more sensitive? Okey dokey then.

 

[MIFlyer]

Some random thoughts in no particular order.

1. You're not going to easily lose it in the Costco parking lot.
2. If you do, Tesla's "Come to Daddy" mode will probably work better than the Model 3...this thing will just drive over anything in the way.
3. With that "A-frame" shape it'll save having to brush the snow off the roof.
4. Comes in any color you want, as long as it's stainless.
5. Scare the dickens out of pre-schoolers..."Mommy, mommy, there's something in the garage eating my tricycle".
6. Is there a built-in Flamethrower option?
7. If you recharge the ATV enough times on a hunting trip do you have to ride it home because the truck is dead?
8. About time there was something for those drivers bored with their Hummer.

I just preordered one after watching the launch video. I've never in my life ordered a new car, but though I don't like the overstated styling, it just checks every box. It replaces my big diesel and my city commuter, gives me 120 and 240v power everywhere and (in the expensive one) has a 500 mile range, which is the farthest I'd ever drive without an overnight anymore. I figure if you get half that range towing, it's still a good 4 1/2 hour tow rig, which seems like a pretty good day of towing.

It has a 3,600 lb payload, which is almost as much as a PA23 and can tow 14,000 in the trimotor

Now I have until about 2023 to buy my airplane and then save up for this bad boy.
I'd prefer unassuming styling, but kind of love it. I wish the bed cover was a solar charger.

 

[MIFlyer]

What a hideous chud of a vehicle. Definitely has notes of when a DeLorean, Vector, and Honda Ridgeline has a three way. Bed looks unusable for normal weekender stuff (4x8 plywood, reaching in for tools, etc). Interior is hideous including the steering wheel, the video monitor rear view mirror is an awful idea as well. If you’re going to use a video feed, put it in the dash or console displays. I don’t need the light of a screen at eye-level at night (or ever). As was mentioned, gooseneck/fifth wheel hauling is likely out of the question.

If this isn’t some kind of joke by Musk just to drum up hype, its a hard pass for the American truck buyer. Can’t see it remotely unseating the likes of Ford/GM/Dodge in the light truck market.

How many F150 short beds do gooseneck? Normally, you're going 3/4 or 1 ton and 8' bed to avoid interference. I think the market is the 800,000 or so F150's sold each year. Plus whatever they steal from Dodge and Chevy.

 

[GRG55]

But at least it has unbreakable windows.

If that was me, I'd be lighting up a joint about then...

 

[tspear]

On paper those are the numbers maybe.
I want to see towing in the mountains here, how far it will really go towing my travel trailer. It will probably need to stop and be recharged so often that a normal one day drive would take a week.

I can say the EV truck will be impacted by the mountains a lot less than the gas truck. It still may not have your needed range though.
A gas truck uses extra power going up the hill consuming power, then converts the energy going down the mountain into heat (brakes).
While an EV; going down the mountain will use regen to capture the vast majority of extra energy used to climb the mountain.

On paper those are the numbers maybe.
Or going to the ski hill in 2 feet of snow, lets see how it really does. I could build a truck and throw outrageous claims about how great it is...but in real world use is where it has to be proven. I drive a Ram with Hemi V8, and in the mountains when towing there are times I leave my right foot flat to the floor and don't lift even a little for 20 or more minutes. I bet that would eat those batteries up in a hurry. Its a 4x4 and I will chain up all 4 tires and head out in the snow and drive up a steep mountain road, to me that is why a pickup exists. Lets give the musk mobile a few years in the hands of people like me who use a pickup truck as an actual truck, see how it goes.
But call me a skeptic for now.

Actually, an EV likely does better than the Hemi. With computer control of electric motors; each of which likely produces more torque than the Hemi at anything less than 75% power, auto manufacturers have significantly more opportunity to put the power where it is needed and control it much more precisely.

The absolutely only way a ICE will beat an EV is range and/or absolute weight.

Tim

 

[Matthew]

That thing is ugly. The second one on here is bad ass looking. Did no one at Tesla focus group the two models?

perhaps they did and realized there was no way they could keep up with the production for demand on the cool one so they decided to sell the fat ugly one for a while then roll out the sexy one later when they have better manufacturing.

Never buy version 1 of anything.

It honestly does look like something that was slapped together at the last minute with whatever sheetmetal they had in the shop. I think you are right, the cool one is in the works.

 

[1RTK1]

Quick question for the EV owners. How hard can you run those things before the batteries or electric motors over heat. I haven't heard any solid numbers on this and don't know of anyone personally tracking any EV.

 

[Larry in TN]

Quick question for the EV owners. How hard can you run those things before the batteries or electric motors over heat. I haven't heard any solid numbers on this and don't know of anyone personally tracking any EV.

Watch a little bit of this guy with his Model 3, which he named "MC Hammer", on the Autobahn. Think you'll push one more than him? LOL

 

[TCABM]

One challenge with the target market is going to be the aftermarket.

The 4WD truck market wants to lift 4-6”, throw on 33”+ tires on 20”+ wheels, LED light bars and cubes, bumpers/bull bars/headache racks....customization, in short.

Be interesting to see how an aftermarket (or lack thereof) impacts sales.

 

[EdFred]

One challenge with the target market is going to be the aftermarket.

The 4WD truck market wants to lift 4-6”, throw on 33”+ tires on 20”+ wheels, LED light bars and cubes, bumpers/bull bars/headache racks....customization, in short.

Be interesting to see how an aftermarket (or lack thereof) impacts sales.

The people buying this......thing....wouldnt be the type to ever tamper with anything the almighty Jobs or Musk slapped their name on.

 

[asicer]

 

[Shuswap BC]

No way musk would build anything that good looking...I call fake...

 

[GRG55]

Well he figured out it's better to have almost no windows, apparently.

 

[deonb]

a) You can't put a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch on that bed.

Why not?

A 5th wheeler and gooseneck trailer turns over the bed of a truck:


vs. the turn above will bump up against the side of the CyberTruck bed:

c) Can't put a camper over that bed. The haul capacity is also too small for most campers due to the SRW.

Are you referring to fifth wheels, or regular travel trailers? I don't know much about the fifth wheel ones because that's not what I want, but it seems like it should handle a regular ball-hitch travel trailer OK.

Referring to a truck camper. e.g.


This has a similar problem to the 5th wheeler - it needs space to hang over the sides of the bed.

Of course, the CyberTruck won't have a problem with a small travel trailer:



But you don't need a CyberTruck for that, you can tow that with a Model X today. Admittedly, you don't have the pretty significant benefit of the 240V power source of the truck.

Which leaves your large travel trailers:


The CyberTruck will do fine with these, but these are about as aerodynamic as a Home Depot, so count on cutting your range in 5. These are also NOT fun vehicles to travel with - they're more meant to be left at a destination for a long time. But a CyberTruck with its 240V power source is meant to supply power for a short time (< 1 week), so it's not a great synergy.

The perfect combination with a CyberTruck IMO is a Truck Camper. You don't have the SuperCharger "fit" issues of a trailer, they are the best suited for off roading - which the CyberTruck will be great at due to the clearance, and the Truck battery makes it ideal for off grid. But the bed design of the CyberTruck makes it impossible.

Of course tent camping works, but tent camping works in a Model X too - and with a Model X tent conversation you can use the climate system of the car in the tent, which I don't see happening with a truck bed:

 

[GRG55]

Three predictions:

1. The design is going to be "tweaked" quite a bit by the time it starts being produced to broaden its market appeal;
2. The stainless body will be replaced with conventional painted steel (comment below);
3. 1 and 2 will be used to explain why the production date keeps getting pushed back.

The Models S and X are predominantly aluminum body and chassis. The Model 3 is steel. Now Tesla is proposing to use a third material, stainless steel, in the truck. This gets very expensive and time consuming for engineering, crash certification and manufacturing efficiency, because not everything your organization learns from producing the last vehicle is applicable to the next one.

I flat out don't believe Tesla can sell a "bullet proof" stainless steel body truck for $40,000 base price without losing money. Lots of it.

 

[Mtns2Skies]

I flat out don't believe Tesla can sell a "bullet proof" stainless steel body truck for $40,000 base price without losing money. Lots of it.

In fairness they don't need much in the way of tooling to make those body panels .

 

[Mtns2Skies]

I was reading the reddit thread on the cybertruck. First off an alarming amount of people totally love it, but of those that love it there are a LOT of comments of "This will be my first truck!" and "I've never owned a truck before but I love this!" So it seems like a huge majority of people that are buying it are not buying it because they would have owned another truck, but they are buying it because its a tesla. So if anything they're really not breaking into the truck market and instead are stealing many of their own customers that would have bought a Tesla sedan.

With how big the truck market is, I think this is a huge mistake and Ford and Rivian are all having big drinks and laughing together right now. Even the name "Cybertruck" really isn't aimed at current truck buyers, it's named for techies in Cali that are going to buy it as a status symbol. That's not a "SUPER DUTY" Its a "IM A COMPUTER"

But now I think the Mach-E looks cool, so Ford should really be thanking Tesla. Best youtube comment I saw "And poof, just like that the Honda Ridgeline is a good looking truck".

 

[deonb]

More photographic angle:

 

[Mtns2Skies]

I'd buy the ATV

 

[JOhnH]

I was reading the reddit thread on the cybertruck. First off an alarming amount of people totally love it, but of those that love it there are a LOT of comments of "This will be my first truck!" and "I've never owned a truck before but I love this!" So it seems like a huge majority of people that are buying it are not buying it because they would have owned another truck, but they are buying it because its a tesla. So if anything they're really not breaking into the truck market and instead are stealing many of their own customers that would have bought a Tesla sedan.

With how big the truck market is, I think this is a huge mistake and Ford and Rivian are all having big drinks and laughing together right now. Even the name "Cybertruck" really isn't aimed at current truck buyers, it's named for techies in Cali that are going to buy it as a status symbol. That's not a "SUPER DUTY" Its a "IM A COMPUTER"

But now I think the Mach-E looks cool, so Ford should really be thanking Tesla. Best youtube comment I saw "And poof, just like that the Honda Ridgeline is a good looking truck".

Lots of Silverado and F150 customers are first-time truck buyers too. And just because they are buying a Tesla truck as their first truck doesn't mean their alternative is a Tesla sedan.

Then again, my wife's next car was going to be a Tesla sedan and mine was going to be a Ford F150. But now, we might both get Teslas.

 

[JOhnH]

A 5th wheeler and gooseneck trailer turns over the bed of a truck:
View attachment 80120

vs. the turn above will bump up against the side of the CyberTruck bed:

How many F150s are suited for 5th wheels? And would you pull that trailer in the picture with an F150?

 

[deonb]

With how big the truck market is, I think this is a huge mistake and Ford and Rivian are all having big drinks and laughing together right now.

I'm not so sure. From now on every Rivian salesman will have to explain why their truck is better when it costs $30'000 more and gives you less. Comparing mid range to mid range:


Ford F150 RV specs are not out yet, but I expect it to be inline with the Rivian.

Currently trucks compete on specs, with looks a distant second. Now it will have to become their number 1 sales focus.

I can just imagine this Ford Salesman who have been selling trucks since the 70's, now having to talk up the "slick lines", "curved surfaces", "vibrant colors" and "traditional designs" of their F150 as they're trying to deflect questions about specs and price.

 

[Spring Ford]

The pickup for the pointy of head.

Or perhaps it's a gentle way of announcing Elon's new head transplant?

 

[Mtns2Skies]

Currently trucks compete on specs, with looks a distant second. Now it will have to become their number 1 sales focus.

Unlikely. The Rivian will be out long before the cybertruck. Elon famously blows past deadlines, 2023 isn't happening. By the time it IS out, there's a good chance the EV F150 might have newer technology and be more mass-produceable.

FWIW The market was 6.36% down on Tesla after this reveal, it appears the market isn't a big fan. All Tesla had to do was show a truck that doesn't suck and their stock would have soared.

 

[deonb]

How many F150s are suited for 5th wheels? And would you pull that trailer in the picture with an F150?

I agree, the F150 is not suited for that either, but the CyberTruck advertises a 14'000 lbs tow capacity in their top of the line model. My original point I was making was that the vehicles that weigh 14'000 lbs won't actually fit on the CyberTruck bed.

 

[JOhnH]

I agree, the F150 is not suited for that either, but the CyberTruck advertises a 14'000 lbs tow capacity in their top of the line model. My original point I was making was that the vehicles that weigh 14'000 lbs won't actually fit on the CyberTruck bed.

Do you think it is impossible to design a 5th wheel that will fit? That's not a challenge question; I have no idea. I used a 5th wheel back in the '70's when I drove a Kenworth with a 5th wheel pulling flatbeds and lowboys loaded with heavy equipment. I laughed myself silly when I saw one of those toy 5th wheels on a pickup truck. But that's all I know about small 5th wheels.

 

[deonb]

Unlikely. The Rivian will be out long before the cybertruck. Elon famously blows past deadlines, 2023 isn't happening. By the time it IS out, there's a good chance the EV F150 might have newer technology and be more mass-produceable.

FWIW The market was 6.36% down on Tesla after this reveal, it appears the market isn't a big fan. All Tesla had to do was show a truck that doesn't suck and their stock would have soared.

Actually it wouldn't have soared, no matter what. Tesla stock always builds up to big announcements and tanks on the actual news (buy the rumor, sell the news). It dropped 5.5% on the Model Y announcement as well, and that will likely become their biggest seller.

$333 represents where the stockprice was 2 weeks ago, before the runup to the announcement started.

 

[Ted]

Exactly. I’m not even a truck fan but if they produced an electric truck like that, I’d buy it.

I can’t imagine this new truck having a low Cd. I can’t picture the airflow going around all those sharp edges and staying laminar. Just that pyramid in the middle alone, I can’t see the airflow staying attached. But, I guess if the F-117 flys with all those angles, it can’t be that bad on a truck.

The F117 was built for stealth not aerodynamics, though. I’ve never flown one but I’d thought it wasn’t necessarily very aerodynamic.

I think you could control it just fine, once you got used to it. There'd probably be a few crashes in the parking lot, though...

Kent, most people are terrible drivers. Right now you have 2.5-3 turns lock to lock on the average car or truck and putting this in line with a yoke would be half a turn. It would be very twitchy and I don’t see the average person being able to develop the skill set to turn the wheel that precisely.

 

[deonb]

Do you think it is impossible to design a 5th wheel that will fit? That's not a challenge question; I have no idea. I used a 5th wheel back in the '70's when I drove a Kenworth with a 5th wheel pulling flatbeds and lowboys loaded with heavy equipment. I laughed myself silly when I saw one of those toy 5th wheels on a pickup truck. But that's all I know about small 5th wheels.

If you raise it enough that it will fit over the bed, you'd either end up with a 5 ft tall bedroom ceiling, or an RV roof that's over 15 ft tall and won't fit under a lot of bridges.