2024 Tesla Cybertruck finally gets a price-tag and specs in America with massive torque and towing, but with limited range and a higher-than-expected price can it possibly live up to expectations?

Tesla has added pricing and specs, as well as additional images and details to its Cybertruck online configurator, but with sky-high expectations is it what keen buyers were waiting for?

The three-variant Cybertruck range follows the same structure as the rest of the Tesla range, consisting of an entry-level rear-wheel drive, mid-spec all-wheel drive, and a top-spec performance variant. The truck is massive at 5682mm long, 2200mm wide, and 1791mm high.

The base model rear-wheel drive starts from US$60,990 (A$92,329), although it will not be available until 2025. It features a claimed 402km driving range, and a 6.5 second 0-100km/h sprint time. Further details about this entry-grade model are yet to be determined.

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Next up is the Cybertruck AWD which starts from US$79,990 (A$121,094). The all-wheel drive variant is set for delivery in 2024, and features a longer 547km claimed driving range, 447kW of power and apparently 10,080Nm of torque, a 4.1 second 0-100km/h sprint time, and a towing capacity of up to 4990kg.

If your eyebrows have been raised by that torque figure, bear in mind it's a wheel torque, rather than motor torque, number. The latter is usually around one tenth of the former.

Finally, the top-spec Cyberbeast wears a price-tag of US$99,990 (A$151,369) and is also due for delivery before the end of '24. It has a claimed 514km driving range and upgraded motor performance to 630kW/13,959Nm. It can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.6 seconds, and maintains the same near five-tonne towing capacity as the AWD variant.

Next up is the Cybertruck AWD which starts from US,990 (A1,094).

Equipment includes adaptive air suspension with 30cm of travel and 432mm of ground clearance, a single steel exoskeleton colour choice, and “shatter resistant” acoustic glass which is said to be able to resist a baseball hitting it at 113km/h, and a bed liner with dimensions of 183cm x 122cm, and a lockable storage capacity of roughly 1900 litres under the bed cover. Folding the second row of seats adds an additional 1530 litres of storage inside the cab.

Folding the second row of seats adds an additional 1530 litres of storage inside the cab.

A 250kW charging capacity allows roughly 220km of range to be added in 15 minutes, although the all-wheel drive Cybertruck has one of the highest energy consumption figures of any car on the market currently, at 42.9kWh/100km. Interestingly the brand has said a range-extender attachment, which is an additional lithium-ion battery which slots into the tray, can grant the all-wheel drive version a range in excess of 756km. According to Elon Musk, the attachment will take up roughly 1/3rd of the tray capacity.

It can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.6 seconds, and maintains the same near five-tonne towing capacity as the AWD variant.

Other unusual features include a purely steer-by-wire set-up, four-wheel steering, and a 48-volt system for its on-board electrics, which apparently reduces the amount of wires in the vehicle by 70 per cent.

On board, there are two household power outlets in the cab, and a third, more powerful one (up to 240V) in the tray. The Cybertruck is also the first Tesla to be capable of supporting a vehicle-to-grid system which the brand dubs ‘Powershare.’ The Cybertruck is able to output a massive 11.5kW, allowing it to power an entire home or easily charge another electric car.

On board, there are two household power outlets in the cab, and a third, more powerful one (up to 240V) in the tray.

Inside the interior mirrors that of the upgraded Model 3 with some bespoke features added. The minimalist approach with an enormous 18.5-inch ‘infinity’ centre screen and no instrument cluster continues, while a unique oval-shaped wheel replaces the more traditional one seen in other Teslas.

A floating centre console is disconnected from the dash, leaving a large open space in the front of the cabin, with tough-looking octagonal bottle holders, and a tray which features the usual dual wireless phone chargers up front. While rear passengers are treated to a second 9.4-inch touchscreen, just like the one seen in the 2024 Model 3.

The minimalist approach with an enormous 18.5-inch ‘infinity’ centre screen and no instrument cluster continues, while a unique oval-shaped wheel replaces the more traditional one seen in other Teslas.

There is also a 15-speaker audio system, acoustic glass panels to reduce noise from the outside, and of course the promised “bioweapon defence mode” which consists of a hospital-grade HEPA filter said to provide “protection from 99.97 per cent of airborne particles. 

As predicted by spy images, the supposed laser wiper system has been replaced by a single physical wiper. Again, just like Model 3, there is a full roof-length glass panel, and enormous steel wheels.

Featuring the 18.5-inch ‘infinity’ screen.

It remains unclear whether the Cybertruck will ever make it to Australia, but the brand has removed pre-order systems and questions remain over whether such a vehicle could pass our stringent ADR requirements. The ordering system for Cybertrucks outside of North America was removed back in mid-2022.

In the US, the Cybertruck goes head-to-head with the Chevy Silverado EV, Ford F150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV, RAM 1500 REV and Rivian’s R1T.

Featuring the dual wireless phone chargers up front.

The Cybertruck is significantly more expensive than originally claimed (back in 2021, the price claim was from US$39,900), and has markedly less range than originally envisioned (with the brand initially saying the top-spec variant would have a range of up to 805km). Notably missing in any of the new information is a reference to the supposed bulletproof nature of its steel bodywork.

Next up for Tesla in Australia is the arrival of the 2024 Model 3 in customer hands, with a matching update to the Model Y to follow, likely not far behind as the upgraded SUV has already been spotted on the road in China.

It remains unclear whether the Cybertruck will ever make it to Australia, but the brand has removed pre-order systems and questions remain over whether such a vehicle could pass our stringent ADR requirements.