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posted by takyon on Friday November 22 2019, @09:06PM   Printer-friendly
from the baby-don't-hurt-me dept.

Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck. Apparently, many people think it's ugly. I absolutely love it. It took the jellybean esthetic of modern vehicles and ran it over. Twice. There's simply no point in saying anything about this truck -- you have to look at the pictures:

https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/22/20976539/tesla-cybertruck-test-drive-electric-truck-pickup-video-features-price-elon-musk

In order to make this TFS less short, a few specs, but really, they don't matter until you see if it appeals to you which it either will or won't in spades. The low end 250 mile range version is supposed to be about $40k. The body is unpainted cold rolled stainless steel. Upmodels will have a towing capacity variously described as 10-14k pounds and at the top end, a 500 mile range. They'll cost a lot more.

"Bulletproof" Musk Cybertruck fail

Elon Musk bragged that his "cybertruck" was bulletproof to a 9mm round, but two separate attempts to demonstrate just how tough it is failed when ball bearings thrown by hand literally caused the windows to come crashing down in pieces. So much for safety glass; even on cyber trucks, windows sucks.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/nov/22/cybertruck-tesla-unveils-the-pickup-truck-we-have-to-have

We created an exoskeleton," Musk said to rapturous whoops from those attending the Los Angeles launch. "It is literally bulletproof to a 9mm handgun."

Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's chief designer, asked Musk if he could lob a metal ball at the window of the vehicle. "Really?" said Musk. The window smashed. "Oh my fucking God," said Musk. "Maybe that was a little hard."

Showing confidence in the vehicle, Von Holzhausen then suggested he should lob it at a second window. "Try that one? Really?" asked Musk moments before the rear window was also smashed. "It didn't go through, that's the plus side," a stunned Musk said.

Also at Ars Technica and Wccftech.

See also: Hot takes as opinion cools on Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla trademarked Cybertruck and 'Cybrtrk' ahead of its planned debut


Original Submission #1Original Submission #2

 
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  • (Score: 5, Informative) by Sulla on Friday November 22 2019, @09:50PM (5 children)

    by Sulla (5173) on Friday November 22 2019, @09:50PM (#923533) Journal

    As a followup comparing capabilities vs my current F150.

    With how my F150 is currently provisioned (2016 extended cab longbed with HD suspension for better payload) I can have a payload of 2,300lb. The Tesla is supposed to be able to have a bed payload of 3,500lb. A yard of gravel is ~2,800lb. The Tesla easily beats my F150 in this aspect, especially with air suspension for load leveling. Price is very competitive to the F150 without risks of bed damage (aluminum, or previously, thin steel).

    While it doesn't have the 8ft bed like it should, the images showed it comes with a center seat, a real center seat, in the front. Not some shitty console, an actual seat. I am impressed that they did this, and the decision to do this makes me have more faith in the idea that they are trying to make a truck out of this by designing it toward industry instead of just the consumer truck market. I assume they will have a console option, but I am impressed that their release had a center seat.

    Only question is whether to get the cheaper one motor or the two motor.

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  • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 22 2019, @09:56PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 22 2019, @09:56PM (#923535)

    Just so you know... The 1st model year of new designs are bug prone.

    • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Sulla on Friday November 22 2019, @10:01PM

      by Sulla (5173) on Friday November 22 2019, @10:01PM (#923536) Journal

      I am well aware. But if you want a 2nd model year you unfortunately have to put your cards on the table.

      A successful Tesla truck will force Ford/others to consider what they can do to not lose any market share. In the same way his electric vehicles kicked the movement into high gear this will force a response.

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      Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
  • (Score: 5, Informative) by Spamalope on Saturday November 23 2019, @01:32AM

    by Spamalope (5233) on Saturday November 23 2019, @01:32AM (#923592) Homepage

    Get a binding insurance quote before deciding. Tesla's opposition to repair drives up costs and thus insurance expense.

  • (Score: 2) by epitaxial on Saturday November 23 2019, @02:53AM (1 child)

    by epitaxial (3165) on Saturday November 23 2019, @02:53AM (#923628)

    I can count the number of times on one hand how many pickup trucks I've seen actually hauling gravel.

    • (Score: 1) by Sulla on Saturday November 23 2019, @07:20AM

      by Sulla (5173) on Saturday November 23 2019, @07:20AM (#923736) Journal

      When I get gravel or dirt anymore I just use a trailer. I don't own a 250 or 350 it would be advisable to do a half yard max to avoid causing damage to the vehicle.

      With the exceptions of the drawbacks from the 8ft bed (personal complaint), distance (reasonable complaint), and the looks (wah wah wah) - this thing accomplish pretty much anything you need it to when compared to a 1500, 150, or Silverado.

      The trade-off for the 8ft bed is better payload and trailer handling. So just use a trailer for those large boards.

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      Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam