In a recent comment on the Tesla Owners Silicon Valley forum, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, dropped a hint about a potential high-performance version of the eagerly anticipated all-electric Tesla Cybertruck pickup. Musk's comment suggested that this variant, tentatively referred to as the “Performance” Cybertruck, promises a remarkable leap in performance compared to the standard version.
Musk's remark came in response to a discussion about the possibility of a Tesla Model 3 Plaid version, which he promptly denied. However, he went on to indirectly confirm the existence of the “Performance” Cybertruck, stating, “I just drove the performance Cybertruck today and it kicks ass next-level.”
I just drove the performance Cybertruck today and it kicks ass next-level
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 22, 2023
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Speculation is swirling as to whether Musk's test drive of “the performance Cybertruck” is related to recent acceleration tests conducted at Tesla's test track in Fremont, California. It is conceivable that both the development team and Musk himself were assessing the first prototype over the past few days.
If the “Performance” Cybertruck becomes a reality, it would follow the pattern set by other Tesla models:
- Model S/Model X: Plaid
- Model 3/Model Y: Performance
The potential inclusion of a high-performance Cybertruck in the lineup raises questions about its intended performance benchmarks. Tesla enthusiasts and industry observers are keen to see if Tesla aims to match or even surpass the acceleration of the top-of-the-line GMC Hummer EV Pickup.
While concrete specifications and pricing details for the Cybertruck remain under wraps, Tesla's website does offer tantalizing hints. These include a towing capability of 14,000 pounds (compared to the Ford F-150 Lightning's 10,000 pounds and the Rivian R1T's 11,000 pounds), a payload capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, a range of up to 500 miles, and an astonishing acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 2.9 seconds.
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The Tesla Cybertruck is slated to enter production later this year in Texas, though initial availability may be limited. High-volume production is anticipated to become feasible at some point in 2024. Tesla enthusiasts and performance enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting further details about this intriguing addition to the electric vehicle market.
