Tesla Cybertruck price and specs wiped from online configurator
Tesla claims its electric pick-up will go into production next year, however the disappearance of pricing and specification details overnight has raised questions about the model's future.
Mystery surrounds the future of the Tesla Cybertruck, after critical information about the controversial model was removed from the company's online configurator overnight – but despite this, Tesla is still taking customer deposits.
While it is unclear if Tesla's electric pick-up will be abandoned entirely, industry analysts have suggested the current sci-fi-inspired concept would need to be radically re-engineered to meet safety standards for the road.
The sudden disappearance of key information about the Tesla Cybertruck has prompted speculation an overhaul could be underway, or that key specifications and pricing have changed in the two years since the vehicle's reveal, at a pre-COVID launch event in November 2019.
Tesla boss Elon Musk has previously said the final design of the Cybertruck could change, but is yet to disclose details.
The website previously claimed a maximum range of 500 miles (800km), a 14,000 pound (6.35 tonnes) tow capacity, and 0-60mph (0-97km/h) launch time of 2.9 seconds for the flagship tri-motor variant.
Overnight, those figures were removed (scroll through the gallery below to view the update before and after).
While interested customers in Australia can still place a $150 fully-refundable deposit on the vehicle, the $10,100 option of ‘Full Self-Driving’ has also been deleted.
In the USA, a now-withdrawn starting price of $US39,900 ($AU54,000) was previously quoted for the entry-level single-motor model – a figure that would have made the Cybertruck the American brand's most affordable vehicle. Final pricing had never been announced for Australia.
Tesla's current 'Pre-Order Agreement' document notes any listed prices are "subject to change", and states: "Tesla may not have completed the development of Cybertruck or begun manufacturing Cybertruck [at this time]."
Customer deliveries for the electric ute were initially slated for mid-2021, however earlier this year a configurator update revealed production had been pushed back to 2022 for unknown reasons.
While the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) previously questioned the safety credentials of the Cybertruck's flat front and aluminium exoskeleton – with experts suggesting its design would make it illegal under European regulations – it has not explicitly stated the concept is incompatible with local design rules.
Speaking to Drive, employees of Tesla service centres in Sydney and Melbourne have previously expressed uncertainty as to whether the model was still destined for our market. It’s unclear if this is personal speculation or based on insider knowledge.
A spokesperson for Tesla Australia did not respond when approached for comment. This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest updates.
