- Tesla is putting the Cybertruck through rigorous testing in New Zealand, including testing in snow and ice.
- The company has shipped at least two prototypes to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG) in New Zealand.
- The videos show the Cybertruck putting its brakes, rear-wheel steering, and electronic stability systems to the test.
- One of the prototypes has “604” written on its sides with blue tape, which is the area code for Vancouver, Canada.
- It’s unclear if the engineers changed the vehicle’s numbering or if three units are undergoing testing in New Zealand.
- The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019, and production was supposed to start in late 2021.
- However, production has been pushed back several times, and the specs, including prices, were removed from the company’s official website.
- As Tesla CEO Elon Musk pointed out, the production-spec Cybertruck is expected to be revealed during a special delivery event sometime in the third quarter, possibly in September.
Testing
Tesla is progressing with developing the highly anticipated Cybertruck. The company has sent prototypes of the electric pickup to the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds in New Zealand for testing. Videos posted on the CybertruckNZ Twitter account show the truck being tested on snow and ice, including its brakes, rear-wheel steering, and electronic stability systems.
Big day at SHPG again but worth it. 😎 Lots of footage. 🥳 Here is the silver CT just coming out of the ice tunnel. pic.twitter.com/CwM0q0Ken7
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
One interesting detail is the non-camouflaged prototype seen in the videos has “604” written on its sides with blue tape, which is the area code for Vancouver, Canada. Previously, another prototype without a vinyl wrap had “512” written on it, which is the area code for Austin, Texas.
Variants
It is unclear whether the numbering on the vehicles was changed or if there are indeed three units undergoing testing in New Zealand. The reason for the specific numbers chosen is unknown, but different variants of the Cybertruck may be tested for different climates.
Rigorous testing procedures, including extreme weather conditions, are common for automakers developing new vehicles, not just for Tesla.
The camouflaged CT at SHPG playing in the snow. pic.twitter.com/A3dwtLVltp
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
Price
The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019, and production was planned to begin in late 2021. However, production has been delayed multiple times, and the specifications and prices have been removed from Tesla’s official website. The base price for the rear-wheel drive variant was initially announced as $39,900, with all-wheel drive trims starting at an estimated price of $49,900.
And heading back to the garage… Done for today! 😅 pic.twitter.com/ohDVhJb01j
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
What does Elon Musk say?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has mentioned the production version of the Cybertruck will be revealed during a special delivery event, expected to take place in the third quarter, possibly in September. It remains to be seen what features and specifications Tesla will bring to the market with its all-electric pickup, as the segment is already populated by competitors such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and Hummer EV.
Conclusion
la is making progress with the development of the Cybertruck and has sent prototypes to New Zealand for testing. The videos shared on social media show the electric pickup undergoing various tests on snow and ice. Different area codes on the prototypes raise questions about potential variations in testing or regional specifications.
Specs
Tesla’s Cybertruck has faced production delays, and the company has removed specifications and prices from its official website. The originally planned production start date was late 2021, but that has been pushed back. The exact features and specifications of the production version of the Cybertruck remain unknown at this time.
Anticipation
Overall, Tesla’s Cybertruck continues to generate anticipation among enthusiasts, and its eventual release will provide a clearer picture of what it brings to the growing market of all-electric pickups.
Cybertruck Owners Club, CybertruckNZ (Twitter)
