Tesla Cybertruck is here: 7 key new things we learned

[NelsonG]

You're not dreaming: Tesla Cybertruck is actually available.

What "available" means is up for debate, though. At an event in its Texas Gigafactory, Tesla delivered its first Cybertruck vehicles, and revealed the steely SUV's price and trims (hint: the price is way, way higher than Tesla's original estimate). But some of the trims aren't available yet, and it will take a while until Cybertruck is easy to get, regardless of the trim. Let's dive in.

How much is the Tesla Cybertruck?

First, the ugly. When it was originally unveiled back in Nov. 2019, Tesla said the Cybertruck would cost $39,000. Granted, four weird years have passed since then, but the new, actual price will still bring tears to your eyes.

SEE ALSO: Tesla to start charging extra if you charge past 90% at a busy Supercharger

The Tesla Cybertruck starts at $60,990, and that's for the rear-wheel motor version, which won't even be available until 2025. If you want something that might be available in 2024, you'll have to go for one of the other trims: the all-wheel-drive variant, starting at $79,990, or the Cyberbeast, tri-motor version, which starts at an eye-watering $99,990.

The pricing is now live on Tesla's website, so you can go over there and wistfully look at the numbers yourself. Beware, though: Tesla lists the prices which include "probable savings" first; click on "purchase price" to get the actual price.

What are the Tesla Cybertruck trims?

Here's the breakdown of what, exactly, you get for your money with a Cybertruck. Well, not exactly, because Tesla only lists some of the specs for certain trims. But at least now we know something about them.

Tesla Cybertruck rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds

• estimated 250 miles of range

• top speed of 112mph

• 7,500 lbs towing capacity

• available in 2025

Tesla Cybertruck all-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds

• top speed of 112mph

• 600 horsepower

• 7,435 lb-ft torque

• 11,000 lbs. towing capacity

• estimated 340 miles of range

• delivery in 2024

Tesla Cyberbeast

• 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds

• top speed of 130mph

• estimated 320 miles of range

• 845 horsepower

• 10,296 lb-ft torque

• 11,000 lbs. towing capacity

• estimated 320 miles of range

Can I order my Cybertruck right now? When will I get it?

Yes, orders have been open for a while, they're fully refundable, and they're $250. But ordering now means quite a long wait; we think that 2024 delivery estimates probably apply only for customers who have pre-ordered early.

Also, you can't configure the car as you can other Teslas. Instead, you pay the pre-order sum of $250 now, and then you'll be invited to do so when your Cybertruck is ready to be configured. Some of the potential extra costs are an unknown at this point, so...be prepared.

Is the Cybertruck faster than a Porsche 911?

It is. In fact, the Cybertruck can tow a Porsche 911 faster than a Porsche 911 can drive itself (on a short stretch of road). Check out the video below.

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We don't know the exact trim of the Porsche 911 used in the video, but it's an impressive feat nevertheless.

Are the Cybertruck doors bulletproof?

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Yes! Well, sort of. They're bulletproof to caliber .45'' and 9mm, as shown in this test. As Tesla CEO Elon Musk put it, Al Capone could spray bullets from a Tommy gun onto that door and you would survive inside.

But the Cybertruck isn't a truly bulletproof vehicle, like the cars in which heads of states are driven. The windows, while built with tougher than regular glass, aren't bulletproof. They should be alright if you (meekly) throw a baseball at them (as shown during the delivery event).

What's the range of Cybertruck (and what's the deal with the range extender)?

Yes, at a maximum of 340 miles (estimated), the range is slightly disappointing. It's not bad by any means, but given the size of the Cybertruck and its positioning as a vehicle for adventures, we expected a little more. But there is something you can do to help it, at the expense of space. Tesla offers a range extender that's installed into the Cybertruck's bed, giving you an extra 130 (or 100, Tesla itself lists different figures at different places on its site) miles of (estimated) range. It's a separate purchase, though, and we don't know how much it costs.

But can Cybertruck haul? Can it tow?

The listed towing capacity is 11,000 lbs, though only for the all-wheel, and tri-motor variants. The rear-wheel drive variant only has a 7,500 lbs towing capacity. The Cybertruck also has a 2,500 pound payload. The figures are good but not great; for example, the 2023 Ford F-150 has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 in certain trims, while the maximum payload goes up to 3,235 pounds.

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Notably, during the presentation on Thursday, Musk said that while the Cybertruck has "over a ton of payload capability" (one ton is 2,204 lbs), you can "really put more than that in it." We're sure someone will try this out and push the Cybertruck to its actual limits soon.

BONUS: Watch the whole Cybertruck delivery event here

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The actual Cybertruck delivery event, a half-hour affair (skip the long intro) in which Musk talks a bit about the car's capabilities, but does not throw a metal ball into the car's window, is available on Twitter/X for your viewing pleasure.

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