Tesla Cybertruck has received 200,000 bookings despite launch glitch, over 80% avoided base model

The Tesla Cybertruck, which was unveiled last week to much chatter (out of the world design, launch mishap with the shattered armoured glass), has garnered 200,000 bookings. Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the figure in his most recent tweet, simply saying “200k,” today. The electric truck was unveiled late on Thursday.

He initially tweeted a figure of nearly 150k on Saturday. “146k Cybertruck orders so far, with 42% choosing dual, 41% tri & 17% single motor,” Musk tweeted, adding separately that the orders were achieved without any advertising or paid endorsements.

The Cybertruck will come in three variants, Single Motor Rear-Wheel Drive, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Tri Motor All-Wheel Drive. In the US, pricing will start from US$39,900 (RM166,360) for the Single Motor, while that for the Dual Motor begins from US$49,500 (RM206,400). The Tri-Motor tops the list at US$69,900 (RM291,500), and ticking the self-driving option will add another US$7,000 (RM29,200) to the price tag.

According to Tesla’s website, an immediate payment of US$100 (RM417) is required to book a Cybertruck. The EV specialist says that first customer deliveries will begin in late 2021, with production of the Tri Motor AWD version expected to begin in late 2022.

The wild-looking Cybertruck features what Tesla says is an impenetrable exo-skeleton, with every component designed for superior strength and endurance.

The list is led by an Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin, and even the glass is armoured – Tesla claims that the ultra-strong glass and polymer-layered composite that is used is able to absorb and redirect impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance. The material however, didn’t fare too well during the launch event, cracking when a metal ball was thrown at it (Musk said that this shortcoming will be fixed).

Fragile glass aside, the rest of the numbers are impressive. The Cybertruck has an operating range of more than 800 km (500 miles) on a single charge in the most efficient examples, with base versions managing more than 400 km. It can also haul up to 1,590 kg (or 3,500 lbs) in payload and has a towing capacity of 6,350 kg (14,000 lbs).

And of course, the Cybertruck is a Tesla, which means it’s fast. The 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) sprint is done in just 2.9 seconds, which is supercar territory.

Design features include an adaptive, self-leveling air suspension that’s also adjustable – the system can raise and lower the vehicle by 100 mm (four inches) in either direction for easy access, especially to the vault, the description given to the 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage secured by a tonneau cover that the automaker says is strong enough to stand on. Hope it’s sturdier than the glass.

Inside, the cabin seats six comfortably, with additional storage under the second-row seats. Kit includes an advanced 17-inch central touchscreen with an all-new customised user interface, as well as on-board power and compressed air, useful for those camping expeditions owners may take with the truck.

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