Cybertruck Update
The Cybertruck’s planned delivery event is creeping closer, and it looks like GigaTexas has been busy preparing for September.
On August 13th, drone observer Joe Tegtmeyer caught this shot of 9 covered vehicles sitting into the outbound delivery lot at the Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, Texas.
It's pretty obvious from the boxy shape that these are Cybertrucks - the only question is if these are production test articles - or finished products.
The Cybertruck hasn't been in production for very long - only about three weeks - and it’s several months away from full volume production, so it makes sense that there might be a few production candidates floating around the Texas facility.
But like we said, September is coming soon, and Tesla has had a remarkably smooth pre-production for the Cybertruck this year - it would make way more sense that the company is pulling out all the stops in order to keep their intended September date for a possible delivery event - and that would mean they would have to be stockpiling the first customer-ready units by now.
As per usual, we don't have any confirmation from Tesla itself - but luckily there is another clue that these covered Cybertucks are intended for the lucky first couple of pre-order customers in September.
On August 11th, this photo was taken by a TikTok user. It shows a Cybertruck being chauffeured around on a trailer being pulled by a Tesla Semi.
This seems pretty mundane - it certainly looks like it's just a quick transport.
But a closer look shows that this Cybertruck is missing some of its black trim pieces around the rear wheel well and the light bar at the back of the vehicle. And to go with that, some scuff marks that stood out even in the video.
We can’t know for sure, but it’s pretty safe to say that this particular Cybertruck won’t be going to a customer. It was likely used in some testing - Other Cybertrucks have been spotted elsewhere recently with similar signs of wear - which tells us that Tesla is still in the process of testing things like the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities.
So while we don’t have any confirmation that these covered Cybertrucks in the GigaTexas lot are intended for the Delivery Event in September - we can clearly see that they’re meant for something that requires Tesla to take better care of them than their test articles.
But speaking of these roughed up trucks, these more recent sightings have also given us some close-up looks at Cybertruck features we haven’t been able to really see yet.
Instagram user @triggertx happened to stumble upon a muddy Cybertruck sitting in a trailer on August 9th. He was able to take a few images and a video very close up, showing off details like the tires and suspension.
Those who remember some of the information we got about the Cybertruck during the Investor Day Event back in March will know that the All Terrain variant of the vehicle has 35 inch tires that are custom made by GoodYear - and that’s exactly what these images show.
It’s also notable that the large wheels were attached using 6 lug nuts, rather than a more standard 5 - meaning that these wheels are better reinforced.
And finally, while the shots from Instagram showed a little bit of the suspension - we actually have a better grouping of shots from yet another prototype spotted recently.
On August 11th, a passerby spotted a Cybertruck seemingly abandoned on the side of a California road. It was tarped up, and likely awaiting retrieval, but it gave the perfect opportunity to take some close shots - and once again, these shots quickly found their way to industry veteran Sandy Munro.
Munro and his team went over the detailed images of the Cybertruck suspension that were taken on the side of the road, and were able to point out some interesting - if unsurprising things.
First off the front suspension makes use of an aluminum cast - made to break away in a crash for the safety of the passengers. This is fairly standard - it allows for some lightweight suspension, and ensures the front wheel will tear away from the vehicle in a crash rather than bending back into it.
The pair were also able to point out some carbon fibre casing that was shielding the battery - a potentially expensive way to keep the battery safe, but lightweight and puncture resistant. In an off-road vehicle, it certainly makes sense to have that.
The rear suspension was also relatively conventional, being made of steel - but we did get a great view of the ball joints that allow for the Cybertruck’s four-wheel steering.
Like we said, nothing too surprising, but it is our first close up look at the Cybertruck’s suspension - even if it’s an obvious prototype. Munro’s team pointed out the front tie-rods being made in a quick and easy manner, and the lack of shielding for more delicate suspension parts at the rear - both things that only show up in prototypes.
But the fact that these vehicles are being used for testing this close to Tesla’s expected delivery date has to mean that the structures have basically been finalised by now. And as September closes in, we’re only going to be getting more and more details, as the number of delivery models in GigaTexas’ parking lot continue to grow.