On display at the Petersen Museum, the latest prototype of the Cybertruck shows some changes made to Tesla’s 100% electric pickup.
In 2019, Tesla presented the Cybertruck, an ambitious 100% electric pickup with an atypical design. Since then, the vehicle has only existed in the media thanks to the promises of Elon Musk and the numerous delays suffered by the manufacturer. This year 2023 should however be the right one for the Cybertruck, the final version of which should be announced at a dedicated event. In the meantime, yet another prototype has been exhibited at the Petersen Museum – an opportunity to discover new elements.
Tesla enthusiast and founder of Tesla Console (an app store), Ryan Zohoury was able to approach the Cybertruck and take a long video showing us around the owner, shared in a tweet posted on June 25. This is a very detailed look at the car, with features never seen before. However, keep in mind that this Cybertruck is not the vehicle that we can order in a few months. Things are still subject to change.
New Elements on Tesla’s Cybertruck
Sensors everywhere
Tesla is known for putting a maximum of sensors on its vehicles, allowing them to model their environment with more or less precision, which is useful for Autopilot. The Cybertruck will be no exception to the rule: the pickup sports several cameras scattered everywhere (between the doors, on the wheel arches at the front, the windshield, the front bumper, at the rear, etc.). There are five different locations, one more than the cars sold today. It will not be too much with regard to the measurements of the Cybertruck.
The mysterious hole above the front camera
Unlike other Tesla cars, the Cybertruck will be equipped with a camera in the front, installed at the level of the shield to improve the performance of the Tesla Vision, to help during maneuvers and to allow the Autopilot to better see. The more observant noticed the presence of a small hole above. What can it be used for? The most likely theory: it would clean the camera, which should quickly get dirty given its positioning near the road.
No bench, but classic seats
In the very first images of the interior of the Cybertruck, we could see three seats in the front: the two classic seats surrounded a bench seat. This option has apparently been abandoned. The prototype is equipped with a classic cabin: two seats, a central armrest and a large screen arranged in landscape format. This provision is forced for safety issues (airbags).
Interior shown by Tesla in 2019
Interior of the Cybertruck in 2023
What does the charging port look like?
We had never seen the charging port of the Cybertruck before. It is now done: it is in the wheel arch, at the rear, on the left side of the vehicle. As with other Tesla cars, the hatch is well hidden and opens automatically.
The steering wheel of the Cybertruck!
A circular steering wheel? The Yoke that is debating? A mixture of the two? It is unclear what type of steering wheel the Cybertruck will come with. According to Ryan Zohoury’s video, the third option seems to be considered, namely an improved Yoke.
How do the Cybertruck doors open?
You’ll notice that the Cybertruck doesn’t have any door handles, even flush ones. We then wonder how to open the doors of the 100% electric pickup. The answer is given by a small demonstration signed Franz von Holzhausen, chief designer at Tesla. The Cybertruck conceals release buttons on the upper part of the frame of each door. We ask to see in practice.
The wiper is still huge
Tesla hasn’t found any solution to reduce the size of the windscreen wiper, which must be long enough to clean a huge windshield… We can’t even imagine the cost if the entire arm needs to be replaced.
Do you want to know everything about the mobility of tomorrow, from electric cars to pedelecs? Subscribe now to our Watt Else newsletter!