Tesla boss Elon Musk claims that 200,000 people have placed a deposit for the firm's Cybertruck, less than a week after the radical pick-up was revealed.
The futuristic-looking Ford F-150 rival was revealed at an event in California last Thursday, and is due to go on sale in 2021 with three different versions planned.
On Saturday, Musk tweeted: "146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor." On Sunday night, he added another tweet simply saying: "200k."
The Cybertruck is available to reserve for a $100 (£77) fully refundable deposit, which means there's no guarantee all those reservations will eventually become firm sales. The rush to order has netted Tesla $20 million (£15.5 million) in cash.
Musk added that the Cybertruck would be the "last product unveil for a while, but there will be some (mostly) unexpected technology announcements next year."
The all-electric Cybertruck is the same length (5.87m) as traditional competitors, but that’s where the similarities end. For starters, it features a radical wedge-shape design unlike anything else, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk insists isn’t far from production readiness.
The Cybertruck’s promised spec list is equally stunning. Three powertrain options will be offered with one, two or three electric motors. The single motor, rear-wheel-drive-only version is said to do 0-60mph in 6.5sec, with no quoted battery size but a claimed range of 250 miles. It can also tow 3400kg and has a 1360kg payload. This is said to cost from $39,900 (around £30,600) before any government incentives.
Opinion: is the Tesla Cybertruck too extreme?
Next up is the mid-range dual-motor variant, offering all-wheel drive, a claimed 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and the ability to tow more than 4500kg. That's said to cost $49,900 (£38,300) before incentives.
The crowning glory is the top-level car, using Tesla’s latest tri-motor ‘Plaid’ EV powertrain. Priced from $69,900 (£53,700), its specs include a claimed 500-mile range on a charge, 0-60mph in just 2.9sec and the ability to complete the quarter mile in just over 10sec. The towing capacity is 6350kg, Musk claims.
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Yuk!
I have a positive comment to make to start. Without Tesla I don't think that the mainstream auto manufactures would be where they are regarding the development and production of EVs. The cybertruck is another nudge from Tesla to force the production of EV trucks. Applause. However, I don't see the cyber truck as a serious threat to the likes of GM, Ford and Ram and the like. The wedge design, yuk!, is driven by the planned use of the SpaceX stainless steel which is so tough it can't be stamped resulting in the origami like production process. This process will prevent the kind of style changes that the buying public are so used to. The other issue is the exoskeleton body. This is fine for a basic pickup truck but what about the chassis cab trucks sold to upfitters to mount flatbeds, tipper beds or other fleet style work boxes on. Has Elon got a plan to satisfy this sector of the market ?
Really!?
These Tesla fanboys really are insane. That piece of s11t has 200k orders?! Mad
Hmmm, 150k preorders in its
Hmmm, 150k preorders in its first day reveal..
Maybe not so crazy after all