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Tesla Cybertruck first delivery event: What we’re expecting

Credit: Cybertruck/X

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The Tesla Cybertruck unveiling is just a few hours away. Social media posts indicate that attendees are now gathering in Texas. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who recently made headlines after a fiery and controversial interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit, has been pretty quiet on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. 

Needless to say, the anticipation surrounding the Cybertruck is discernible. Quite impressively, Tesla has actually been able to keep pretty much every important detail about the Cybertruck a secret. Even the details of the vehicle’s unveiling event have been kept under wraps, with invites only including a general schedule for the occasion. 

Elon Musk, however, has made it no secret that the Cybertruck’s delivery event is among Tesla’s most important. In his DealBook Summit interview, Musk went so far as to state that the Cybertruck launch would be the “biggest on Earth this year.” These statements definitely give the impression that the Cybertruck’s delivery event is an important occasion — one that could make Tesla into an event more notable company today. 

Amidst all this excitement, we at Teslarati are expecting a number of highlights from the upcoming Cybertruck first delivery event. Here then are the top five things we are hoping to see in the Cybertruck launch. 

Specs and more specs

Tesla has done a stellar job of keeping the Cybertruck’s specs under wraps. Despite the large number of Cybertruck sightings over the past months, practically no leaks about the all-electric pickup truck’s key information have been shared online. In the upcoming event, Tesla will most definitely share the specifications of the Cybertruck, from its range to its performance, special features, and accessories. 

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Steel Ball Test 2.0

The Tesla Cybertruck unveiling became meme-worthy partly due to the failed steel ball test conducted by CEO Elon Musk and Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen. The Cybertruck’s Armor Glass cracked when it was struck by the ball during the test, much to the shock of the audience and Musk himself. Tesla later clarified that the Cybertruck’s window was damaged by an earlier sledgehammer test, but the failed steel ball test was already immortalized in internet memes by then. 

In a way, the Cybertruck’s steel ball test is unfinished business for Tesla and executives like Elon Musk. Thus, it would not be surprising if the EV maker conducts another steel ball test during the upcoming Cybertruck first delivery event. Hopefully, the test succeeds this time around.

Future Feature Teasers

Tesla is known for having industry-leading tech and features on its vehicles. The company is also known for announcing features that will be rolled out at a later date. This was the case with the Tesla Semi, whose Convoy Mode, which was announced in late 2017, is still yet to be released to consumers’ trucks today. Being Tesla’s newest and potentially most disruptive car to date, the Cybertruck will likely be announced with some notable features, some of which will also be released in the future. 

Other Trim Details

When the Cybertruck was initially unveiled, Elon Musk noted that the all-electric pickup truck would come in three trims: a single-motor RWD version, a Dual Motor AWD variant, and a Tri-Motor AWD version. Elon Musk also hinted at a potential Quad-Motor variant later on, though details about the potential trim have been scarce. In the upcoming Cybertruck delivery event, Tesla would likely clarify the all-electric pickup truck’s final lineup, as well as each trim’s target release date. 

Test Rides

Tesla held test rides with the Cybertruck when it was unveiled in late 2019. Considering that the vehicle is now ready for consumers, it would also not be surprising if Tesla offers test rides in the production Cybertruck for the first delivery event’s attendees. Test rides would likely be appreciated by the event’s attendees, as it would provide them with a firsthand experience with the all-electric pickup truck. 

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Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla Cybertruck gets Full Self-Driving v14 release date, sort of

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Tesla Cybertruck owners are wondering when they will get access to the company’s Full Self-Driving version 14.1 that rolled out to other owners today for the first time.

Cybertruck owners typically receive Full Self-Driving updates slightly later than other drivers, as the process for the all-electric pickup is different. It is a larger vehicle that requires some additional attention from Tesla before FSD versions are rolled out, so they will be slightly delayed. CEO Elon Musk said the all-wheel steering technically requires a bit more attention before rollout as well.

After some owners got access to the v14.1 Full Self-Driving suite this morning, Cybertruck owners sought out a potential timeframe for when they would be able to experience things for themselves.

Tesla owners show off improvements with new Full Self-Driving v14 rollout

They were able to get an answer from Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Head of AI, who said:

“We got you. Coming soon.”

The release of FSD v14.1 for Cybertruck will not be tempered, either. Elluswamy then confirmed that Tesla would be rolling out the full-featured FSD v14 for the pickup, meaning it would be able to reverse and park itself, among other features.

Elluswamy said it would be capable of these features, which were void in other FSD releases for Cybertruck in the past.

Tesla’s rollout of FSD v14.1 brings several extremely notable changes and improvements to the suite, including more refined operation in parking garages, a new ability to choose parking preferences upon arriving at your destination, a new driving mode called “Sloth,” which is even more reserved than “Chill,” and general operational improvements.

Those who were lucky enough to receive the suite have already started showing off the improvements, and they definitely seem to be a step up from what v13’s more recent versions were capable of.

CEO Elon Musk called v14 “sentient” a few weeks back, and it seems that it is moving toward that. However, he did state that additional releases with more capabilities would be available in the coming weeks, but many owners are still waiting for this first version.

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Tesla launches two new affordable models with ‘Standard’ Model 3, Y offerings

It is the first time Tesla has revealed any details about what it planned to launch in terms of its new, lower-cost vehicles, which are mainly aimed at countering the loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially launched its affordable models with the new Model 3 and Model Y ‘Standard’ versions hitting the company’s Online Design Studio on Tuesday.

It is the first time Tesla has revealed any details about what it planned to launch in terms of its new, lower-cost vehicles, which are mainly aimed at countering the loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit.

Here’s what Tesla went with for its release of the new affordable models.

Tesla Model Y ‘Standard’

The Model Y Standard is a stripped-down version of the all-electric crossover and starts at $39,990.

Deliveries are slated for November and December, the company says if you plan to order one, and it comes with a few major changes to improve efficiency and bring down cost for owners.

  • New athletically tuned exterior and new alloy wheels to improve aerodynamics
  • 15.4″ touchscreen in the front, the same as the other trims
  • Available in three colors: Stealth Grey (free), White ($1,oo0 extra), Diamond Black ($1,500 extra)
  • Textile and vegan leather interior
  • Range sits at 321 miles
  • New front fascia
  • Covered glass roof (textile on inside)
  • Windows are not acoustically laminated for a quieter cabin
  • Manual mirrors and seats
  • Smaller frunk
  • No rear infotainment screen
  • No basic Autopilot
  • 69 kWh battery
  • New 19″ Aperture wheels
  • 0-60 MPH in 6.8 seconds
  • 7 speaker stereo, down from 15 speakers in premium models

Tesla Model 3 ‘Standard’

The Model 3 Standard was a surprise offering from Tesla, as many had only anticipated the company to refine and offer a more affordable version of the Model Y.

Coming in at $36,990, it features many of the same changes Tesla made with the Model Y “Standard,” all ways to improve price and make it less flashy than the more premium offerings.

Deliveries are also slated for November for this vehicle, and it features relatively the same stripped-down offerings as the Model Y Standard.

  • Available in three colors: Stealth Grey (free), White ($1,oo0 extra), Diamond Black ($1,500 extra)
  • Textile and vegan leather interior
  • Range sits at 321 miles
  • Covered glass roof (textile on inside)
  • Manual mirrors and seats
  • No rear infotainment screen
  • No basic Autopilot
  • 69 kWh battery
  • New 19″ Aperture wheels
  • 0-60 MPH in 6.8 seconds
  • 7 speaker stereo, down from 15 speakers in premium models
@teslarati 🚨 Tesla’s Affordable Models are here! Let’s talk about them! #tesla #fyp #viral #teslaev #elonmusk ♬ Natural Emotions – Muspace Lofi

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Tesla owners show off improvements with new Full Self-Driving v14 rollout

Some of the big things that Tesla faced head-on with the development and release of v14 were navigating in parking garages and handling parking after arriving at a destination.

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Credit: Tesla Europe & Middle East/X

Tesla owners with access to the company’s Full Self-Driving new version, v14, which rolled out on Tuesday morning, are showcasing some of the very impressive improvements that have arrived.

CEO Elon Musk called v14 “sentient” a few weeks ahead of its rollout, claiming the newest iteration of the company’s Full Self-Driving platform would be the most accurate to date.

Tesla FSD (Supervised) V14.1 with Robotaxi-style dropoffs is here

It was obvious this narrative had Tesla owners keeping their expectations high, as there were very evidently things that needed to be improved upon that were present in v13. I wrote about several improvements I was hoping to see, and based on the release notes for v14, Tesla did have these things in the works already.

Some of the big things that Tesla faced head-on with the development and release of v14 were navigating in parking garages and handling parking after arriving at a destination.

Tesla said it was working to increase the capabilities of Summon within parking garages, as many owners believe that is where it would be the most beneficial.

While that does not appear to be part of this initial v14 rollout, it does seem Tesla is focused on improving the suite’s ability to navigate through these garages, including stopping for a ticket to enter the facility, finding a spot, and parking in an appropriate space.

It was evident this was a huge improvement based on one example from an owner who received v14:

If you look closely, you will even see the car shift slightly to the right when it arrives at the ticketing station, making it easier for the driver to hand over their ticket and payment. It then moves back out to the right when leaving to return to the center of the lane. It’s very intuitive.

Additionally, it appears to be more accurate when parking, thanks to improvements that enable owners to select the type of parking upon arrival at a destination.

In the v14.1 release notes, Tesla said that it has added “Arrival Options for you to select where FSD should park: in a Parking Lot, on the Street, in a Driveway, in a Parking Garage, or at the Curbside.”

One owner chose to navigate home and chose a garage to park in. Full Self-Driving performed it without any issues:

These are just two evident improvements so far, and there are likely many more on the way. The changes and fixes will be tracked by anyone with access to FSD v14 in the coming weeks.

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