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Tesla unveils new cheaper, but nerfed ‘Long Range’ Cybertruck
Tesla has unveiled a new version of its previously announced RWD Cybertruck. It will have a longer range but be nerfed with a lesser suspension and fewer features.
When Tesla unveiled the production version of the Cybertruck in late 2023, it announced three trims:
- Single Motor RWD
- Dual Motor AWD
- Tri-motor AWD Cyberbeast
Only the last two have been available, and Tesla planned to launch the cheaper RWD version for $61,000 later this year.
So far, the Cybertruck has only been available in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Tesla has yet to launch the RWD version in any of these markets, but it has now released the specs of an updated Cybertruck RWD, now called Cybertruck ‘Long Range’, in the Middle East.
The new version comes just as Tesla is launching in Saudi Arabia.
Tesla has yet to release the price for the new Cybertruck RWD, but it appears to use the same battery pack as the higher versions currently for sale, since Tesla quotes a range of 563 km (350 miles).
Otherwise, the specs are similar to what Tesla had previously announced:
Rear-Wheel Drive |
Old RWD | New RWD |
| Price | $60,990 | Not mentioned |
| Range | 250 miles | 350 miles |
| Range with extender | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | 6.5 sec | 6.6 sec 0-100 km/h |
| Drivetrain | rear-wheel drive | rear-wheel drive |
| Ground Clearance | 243 mm | 243 mm |
| Top speed | 112 mph | 180 km/h (112 mph) |
| Towing | 7,500 lbs | 7500 lbs |
The lower weight (about 500 lbs lighter) due to the single motor and the lower suspension make this new version the longest-range Cybertruck.
It’s unclear if Tesla still plans to launch a Cybertruck with a smaller battery pack. This new version is expected to be more expensive than $61,000 since it uses the same 123 kWh battery pack as the dual and tri motor versions.
Tesla’s website also confirms that the new Cybertruck Long Range doesn’t have a rear screen for the backseat.
The much lower suspension (243mm/9.5″ vs 406mm/16″) without mention of an “extract mode” also suggests that the new version does not have air suspension.
Electrek’s Take
I can see this becoming a 4th trim as a $70,000 price and Tesla launching the lower range $61,000 version later or it might replace the old RWD altogether.
Either way, I don’t see this saving the Cybertruck.
Launching in the Middle East is good news, but it won’t be a market of more than 10,000 units per year.
Therefore, I think Tesla would be lucky to sell 50,000 Cybertruck this year – a 5th of its planned production capacity.
A total commercial flop.
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