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Tesla Cyberquad replica rips past 100 mph with DIY electric powertrain

Credit: Rich Benoit and Steven Salowsky

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A Tesla Cyberquad replica from Rich Rebuilds has made its debut after hundreds of hours of effort, and its 102.5 MPH top speed is enough to turn heads of ATV enthusiasts everywhere.

When Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in November 2019, a surprise came t when Elon Musk revealed that the company had also developed an ATV based on the look of the all-electric pickup. However, details about the Cyberquad have remained relatively sparse, and nobody has any idea when the four-wheeler could come to the market. Some are anxious to see the capabilities of the all-electric quad, so much so that they couldn’t wait.

One of the anxious parties was Rich Benoit of the widely-popular Rich Rebuilds YouTube channel. Benoit, along with the Department Head of Management for his team, Steven Salowsky, were two people who were so eager to see the Cyberquad that they took matters into their own hands. Rich and Steven built a Cyberquad replica using a Zero electric powertrain packed inside of a 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700.

Credit: Rich Benoit and Steven Salowsky

The project all started with an idea to build an electric ATV, and the Cyberquad was not the original inspiration. Stemming from their work doing a 1932 Ford Model A conversion with a Zero Motorcycle powertrain, Rich and Steven decided to put a similar power plant in a quad. Then, Steven offered to design it to replicate the Tesla Cyberquad.

A simple origami fold-up of the Cyberquad on Steven’s part was the project’s first stage. He told Teslarati that one day he starting folding and cutting pieces of paper for the project, which eventually led to a cardboard mock-up of the Cyberquad. Then, Rich and Steven, who was said to be “The Franz of the Operation,” (based on Tesla Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen) made another mock-up out of ABS plastic. The two were ready to begin building the Cyberquad replica.

Credit: Rich Benoit and Steven Salowsky

It started with buying a 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700, which the team purchased from a seller on the Facebook marketplace. Then, the powertrain that Rich and Steven used was one that was used by Zero, a manufacturer of electric motorcycles.

Steven also told Teslarati that it appears the real Cyberquad that Tesla showed in November also seems to use a Zero powertrain. The similarities between the look of the two ATVs appears to hint that Tesla could have used Zero’s powertrain as well.

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Then came the fun part, putting the whole thing together and testing it on the road. Rich had wired the bike up with its new Zero motor powertrain and welded the new drive unit to the rear, and Steven restructured a new aluminum trestle frame onto the existing quad frame, and then formed and cut the new body.

The performance improvements of the Cyberquad built by Rich and Steven were exponential due to the Zero electric powertrain. Because of the modifications made to the powertrain and fabrication, the ’08 Raptor went from 0-60 in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 75 MPH, to a Cyberquad clone with a 3.98-second 0-60, and a 102.5 MPH maximum speed.

The project, before factoring in 300 hours of work from the two colleagues, was about $18,000, Steven told Teslarati. Although a long and tedious process, the pair did a great job in recreating the Cyberquad with the limited photos and videos of the all-electric ATV. With the accuracy of the design and the impressive performance of the Cyberquad replica, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against the real thing when Tesla releases it.

Check out Rich Rebuild’s video on the Cyberquad project below, and let us know what you think about it in the comments!

Disclaimer: “You are hereby notified that the stunts and tricks displayed in this video are performed by professionals in controlled environments, such as closed-circuit road tracks. Do not attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar stunts and tricks at home, as personal injury or property damage may result.”

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Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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