I’m unsure if I ever will, however I very a lot wish to drive a Tesla Cybertruck. I imply, take a look at that factor. Distinctive, bizarre or simply plain ridiculous vehicles have at all times been probably the most fascinating vehicles, they usually’re those that automotive fans most wish to drive or study extra about. Doug DeMuro has made a profession out of showcasing them. And if the Cybertruck doesn’t qualify as distinctive, bizarre and simply plain ridiculous … effectively, it positive ain’t regular.
But, I additionally wish to drive the Cybertruck as a result of the expertise itself ought to be fascinating. And I don’t simply imply staring via the huge, flat windshield over the starkly plain sprint. The mixture of chassis and drivetrain parts described by Tesla CEO Elon Musk yesterday on the Cybertruck’s supply occasion (itself distinctive, bizarre and simply plain ridiculous), is fascinating.
Musk describes the Cybertruck as having the “handling of a sports car.” I haven’t pushed it, however I can’t think about that’ll be the case. It’s way more more likely to have the dealing with of completely nothing else. How might it not? It’s as huge as a Ford F-150, however 6 inches shorter in size. It weighs almost 7,000 kilos when most vans are within the higher 5,000 vary. Sports activities vehicles nowadays are within the 3,000s, possibly 4,000s. It then has the low heart of gravity afforded by its gargantuan (and gargantuanly heavy) battery pack. It additionally has all-terrain tires, which sports activities vehicles don’t are inclined to have. Except named Dakar.
Then there’s these chassis and drivetrain parts I discussed. Each Cybertruck has rear-wheel steering (RWS), sometimes an choice on massive, upper-crust luxurious vehicles in addition to some sports activities vehicles, together with the Porsche 911. By turning the rear wheels in the wrong way because the fronts, it considerably reduces the automobile’s turning circle, rising its agility round corners, and usually making it really feel like a smaller automobile. That’s an enormous deal for an enormous automobile just like the Cybertruck.
Nevertheless it’s not the largest deal. That’ll be the steer-by-wire system, which to me, explains why Tesla got here up with its controversial yoke within the first place (it simply jumped the gun by placing it within the Mannequin S first). Whereas the yoke drew unsurprising ire for being a poor match for typical steering, as Lexus found whereas concurrently creating its personal steer-by-wire system, a yoke is definitely well-suited for what’s apparently within the Cybertruck. Assuming it really works in the identical method as Lexus Steer by Wire, sensors will decide how a lot you turned the yoke and ship that information to the electrical energy steering system whereas the Cybertruck determines how briskly it’s going. These two items of information are then used to radically alter the steering ratio and subsequently how a lot you have to steer. Extra merely, you’ll barely have to show the yoke at low speeds to make it flip. As an alternative of turning hand-over-hand a number of instances in a U-turn, you’ll seemingly simply convey your proper hand from 3 to 10 o’clock.
Because the above video reveals, it’s actually bizarre and unlikely something you’ve ever skilled earlier than, nevertheless it additionally appeared to work effectively within the Lexus. If it’s related within the Cybertruck, you possibly can see why I believe it’ll deal with and drive like completely nothing else. However that’s not the tip of it.
The range-topping Cyberbeast provides a second motor to the rear axle (just like the Audi SQ8 E-Tron), subsequently granting every wheel its personal motor that may spin at totally different charges. This enables for what’s referred to as torque vectoring, or the skin rear wheel spinning quicker than the within one to push the rear finish round a nook and decreasing understeer. It’s certainly a boon for dealing with, as we’ve seen in varied all-wheel-drive vehicles, most notably these by Acura.
Add all that up, and the Cybertruck could possibly be simply as wild to drive as it’s to have a look at. I needed to listen to much more about these parts, however sadly, Tesla doesn’t hand out press supplies and doesn’t go into larger element in its client web site, both. Musk additionally spent loads of time, assisted by a pre-made video presentation, happening in regards to the many superb Cybertruck feats of energy. That’s the place it misplaced me, as a result of so many had been utterly bereft of context.
I’m positive many non-car media retailers will parrot these capabilities as if they’re distinctive and unbelievable (and possibly they’re!), however gained’t dig deeper to see if they’re actually distinctive for brand spanking new automobiles in 2023, whether or not the offered footage/information tells solely a sliver of the total story, or if it was simply plain-old deceptive. Listed below are a few of these examples.
Rollover
“Because the center of gravity is so low, it doesn’t roll over,” Musk mentioned whereas video performed displaying a rollover check carried out at 16 mph (in line with a graphic on the display) whereby the Cybertruck laterally slides off a sled and lands with each left wheels in a sand pit. It doesn’t actually rollover.
Maybe that is an extremely frequent check within the automotive business. Maybe this seemingly random pace of 16 mph is the frequent business normal. Or possibly Musk is exaggerating and it completely would’ve flipped ass over tea kettle at 20 mph. Who is aware of! The issue is the utter lack of context right here, together with how different automobiles of varied varieties would carry out.
We within the automotive media see footage of random assessments like this on a regular basis on new automotive launches with a purpose to exhibit sure capabilities. I assume it’s often in good religion, and it in all probability is right here, too. The difficulty is, once more, I’ve no context for it and with out context, you possibly can’t precisely use it as proof for “it doesn’t roll over.” Musk and Tesla actually can. That’s referred to as advertising and marketing. Folks reporting in regards to the Cybertruck and even these studying about it? Nope!
Crash check
Instantly after that rollover check in that video, footage was proven of the Cybertruck crashing right into a seemingly normal crash check barrier. The group erupted in applause, which did appear odd. Do they assume vehicles often accordion from bumper to bumper in crash assessments? Explode? Have they seen a crash check not too long ago?
Anyway, the one info offered about its efficiency in that crash check together with a seemingly normal aspect check was Musk saying, “If you’re ever in an argument with another car, you will win.” Okey dokey. As soon as once more, that’s advertising and marketing, and it’s completely no totally different than the sticker on my son’s Britax automotive seat that simply says “Crash Tested.” That’s good, how did it do in that crash check?
To be clear, I wasn’t anticipating Musk to whip out a nine-page report documenting dummy head deflections, however till the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security will get its palms on one, we shouldn’t get too carried away about its crash efficiency. True, the Tesla Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y are IIHS Prime Security Picks, however that ensures nothing a couple of subsequent new mannequin, particularly one as basically totally different because the Cybertruck. All we all know is that it didn’t accordion or explode on influence.
Pulling a Porsche 911
That is one other one missing context. First, what sort of Porsche 911 is it? There are A LOT. Judging by the colour and wheels, it’s nearly actually a Porsche 911 Carrera T, which has the least highly effective engine out there. Assuming Tesla was utilizing launch management (and that’s positively an assumption given the stunt nature of this train), the Carrera T will hit 60 in 4.3 seconds with a handbook or 3.8 seconds with an automated. That’s additionally assuming the particular person driving the 911 is of a comparable talent as the one that did Porsche’s instances. Once more, an assumption.
Additionally assuming the Cybertruck does certainly hit 60 in 2.6 seconds (with 1-foot of rollout as is the usual on a drag strip or at publications similar to Automotive and Driver), it will stand to purpose that the Cybertruck accelerates from zero to 60 mph in possibly 4.2 or 3.7 seconds whereas towing 3,900 kilos of 911 Carrera T plus trailer. That’s actually cool!
Once more, although, context! Tesla positively picked a 911 right here that it knew it might beat in a 0-60 check whereas towing one other 911. In the event that they selected actually another new Porsche 911 right here, one which isn’t a lightweighted mannequin and/or faster to 60, the Cybertruck loses this stunt.
Additionally, it ought to be famous that by 0-60 instances alone, a Rivian R1T with the Quad-Motor setup hits 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, in line with Automotive and Driver. So a Rivian may have the ability to do that, too.
Torque!
I almost did a spit take after I learn motor outputs for the Cybertruck. The Cyberbeast model has 845 horsepower, which is one loopy boatload, but in addition, that Rivian Quad-Motor has 835. The Cyberbeast order web page then lists torque: 10,296 pound-feet. Aaaaand, my laptop computer is nearly lined in espresso.
The Rivian Quad-Motor, for context, has 908 lb-ft as its acknowledged torque determine. So, holy crap, the Cybertruck is the torqueist rattling factor this aspect of a Falcon 9! Um, no. Tesla doesn’t measure torque or a minimum of report torque in the identical manner as almost each different new carmaker. That is on no account an apples-to-apples scenario. They could as effectively be saying the Cybertruck produces 10,296 millicochranes of torque. It means nothing in context of the figures you’ll see elsewhere.
Properly, one exception: The GMC Hummer EV. GM experiences that it maxes out at 11,500 various torques. So, um, the Cybertruck has lower than that. Good to know.
The spare tire
As the web site says, “All-terrain tires have you covered in any environment. Bring a spare tire for when you go where roadside assistance can’t.” It then reveals an image of an infinite tire taking over half the truck mattress. This mainly simply says, “The Cybertruck does not have a standard spare tire, unlike the Rivian, Ford Lightning and (insert name of other truck), and even if you opt for one, it’s a serious compromise.”
That is truly not a great factor.
The vary extender
One of many surprises of the occasion was the so-called “Range Extender” battery that ups the entire vary from 320 to 470 miles. That’s an enormous distinction. It’s additionally an enormous battery that, once more, takes up a minimum of 40% of the truck mattress.
Is that such a great factor?
Actually, that query can just about be requested over and over whereas studying in regards to the Cybertruck. And whereas taking a look at it. It looks like one thing that we’ll be speaking about endlessly, however there’s a lot we nonetheless don’t know and a lot that’s slathered in a slick movie of promoting that nobody ought to get too carried away with out extra info. Sadly, I’m afraid a lot will go unanswered as so few will have the ability to independently check these superb feats for themselves as is feasible with nearly each different new automotive producer.