Amid declining sales, Tesla boldly moved into the electric pickup market by unveiling the new Cybertruck Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim.
The Long Range RWD model is notable for offering the longest driving range at the most affordable price within the Cybertruck lineup. While it’s the closest yet to Tesla CEO, Elon Musk’s promised budget-friendly Cybertruck, some features have also been sacrificed.
Cybertruck’s New Range King
In the U.S., the base price for the Long Range RWD model is 69,990 USD, which can drop to about 6,400 USD with federal tax credits. This makes it over 1,050 USD cheaper than the AWD model.
However, a lower price doesn’t mean a sacrifice in performance. The Long Range model features a single rear motor with rear-wheel drive, offering a maximum range of 582 km (362 miles) on a single charge.
This is longer than the dual-motor AWD (around 523 km / 325 miles) and the high-performance Cyber Beast (around 515 km / 320 miles).
Weight reductions were made throughout the interior and exterior to achieve this range. For example, the air suspension has been replaced with coil spring suspension, simplifying the structure and making it easier to maintain.
Practicality Over Luxury
The maximum towing capacity of 3.4 tons (7,500 lbs) and a payload capacity of 900 kg (1,984 lbs) are lower than the higher-end models, but it remains competitive in terms of practicality. Tesla explained that these figures are sufficient for towing a camper or boat.
The interior follows a minimalist approach. The seats are made from a textile material instead of leather, and only the front seats are equipped with heating functionality.
Features like ventilation, premium audio, rear-seat displays, and an electric bed cover have all been removed. Instead, the vehicle has a basic 7-speaker system and an external power supply function via a charging port adapter.
With the standard 18-inch wheels, the range is about 563 km (350 miles), and by adding the optional soft tonneau cover, the range increases to a maximum of 582 km (362 miles).
While various features have been removed, the charging speed has been improved. The vehicle supports a maximum of 325 kW fast charging, allowing up to 237 km (147 miles) of range in just 15 minutes of charging. This is higher than the AWD model (217 km / 135 miles) and the Beast model (204 km / 127 miles).
A Mixed Bag for Tesla Enthusiasts
The Long Range RWD model is a practical version of the Cybertruck for Tesla enthusiasts. It offers the advantage of fully utilizing Tesla’s EV infrastructure and allows one to experience the brand’s signature simple yet futuristic design.
However, with many premium interior and exterior features removed, some consumers who approached the model with the symbolic status and high expectations of the Cybertruck may feel disappointed. There are also concerns that it still falls short of the 40,000 USD base model Elon Musk had mentioned.
The first customer deliveries will start in June or July this year, and pre-orders are currently available on Tesla’s U.S. website.
