Connect with us

News

Tesla Cybertruck frunk size hinted in latest sighting

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Published

on

The Tesla Cybertruck has drawn wide speculation ahead of its initial deliveries, expected to begin in the coming months. One feature that many onlookers have been curious about is the size of the futuristic truck’s frunk, with new photos showing a person seated in the storage area in a seeming indication of its size.

The Cybertruck’s frunk has been discussed a lot lately, with multiple sightings of the electric pickup seeming to show how large the storage area is. Some have reported from photographs and videos that the vehicle’s front trunk appears small, while other angles have seemed to make the space look larger.

In a new Cybertruck sighting from this week, courtesy of The Autopian, the vehicle’s frunk is seen with a person sitting in it, seemingly emphasizing its width and overall size. The person can be seen sitting in the frunk with a beverage in their hand, while several of the photographs also show a number of angles from the truck’s rear.

It’s not entirely clear from the angle how deep the Cybertruck frunk is, though the recent sighting appears to include the same wrapped units spotted in recent testing in the Northwestern Mexican state of Baja California. Additionally, one of the Cybertrucks appeared to include a mini Starlink dish.

Advertisement

You can also see the backside of a Cybertruck wheel cover in the photos, among a number of other interesting details. Check out the rest of the Cybertruck photos below.

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Credit: Mario | The Autopian

Tesla Cybertruck charging outside Gigafactory Texas shows interesting frunk detail

Tesla’s Cybertrucks have been spotted a number of times on public roads in recent months, indicating that the automaker may finally be nearing initial deliveries of the highly anticipated vehicle. While it isn’t entirely clear when Tesla will begin Cybertruck deliveries, the automaker had previously announced hopes to schedule a delivery event in Q3, though that deadline has come and gone.

One analyst recently predicted that the Cybertruck would reach 100,000 to 120,000 deliveries in 2024 after the automaker is able to ramp up the vehicle’s production. In recent weeks, a huge number of Cybertruck rear castings were spotted outside Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas, suggesting that the company may be nearing initial deliveries.

Advertisement

You can see Tesla’s many Cybertruck rear castings below in a video from Giga Texas observer and drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Advertisement

Zach is a renewable energy reporter who has been covering electric vehicles since 2020. He grew up in Fremont, California, and he currently lives in Colorado. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, KRON4 San Francisco, FOX31 Denver, InsideEVs, CleanTechnica, and many other publications. When he isn't covering Tesla or other EV companies, you can find him writing and performing music, drinking a good cup of coffee, or hanging out with his cats, Banks and Freddie. Reach out at zach@teslarati.com, find him on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Rolls-Royce makes shocking move on its EV future

When Rolls-Royce unveiled its first all-electric model, the Spectre, in 2022, former CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös declared the brand would cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles by the end of the decade.

Published

on

Rolls Royce Wheels
Credit: BMW Group

Rolls-Royce made a shocking move on its EV future after planning to go all-electric by the end of the decade. Now, the company is tempering its expectations for electric vehicles, and its CEO is aiming to lean on its legacy of high-powered combustion engines to lead it into the future.

In a significant reversal, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has scrapped its ambitious plan to become an all-electric manufacturer by 2030. The luxury British marque announced the decision amid sustained customer demand for traditional combustion engines and shifting regulatory landscapes.

When Rolls-Royce unveiled its first all-electric model, the Spectre, in 2022, former CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös declared the brand would cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles by the end of the decade.

The move aligned with the industry’s broader push toward electrification, promising silent, effortless power befitting the “Rolls-Royce of cars.”

Advertisement

However, new CEO Chris Brownridge, who assumed the role in late 2023, has reversed course. “We can respond to our client demand … we build what is ordered,” Brownridge stated.

The company will continue offering its iconic V12 engines, which remain a cornerstone of its heritage and appeal to discerning buyers who appreciate the distinctive sound and character. He noted the original pledge was “right at the time,” but “the legislation has changed.”

While not abandoning electric vehicles entirely, the Spectre remains in production, with an electric Cullinan option forthcoming; the decision marks the end of a strict all-EV timeline. Relaxed emissions regulations and slowing EV demand, evidenced by a 47 percent drop in Spectre sales to 1,002 units in 2025, forced the reconsideration.

It was a sign that perhaps Rolls-Royce owners were not inclined to believe that the company’s all-EV future was the right move.

Advertisement

Rolls Royce customers want more EVs, says company CEO

Rolls-Royce joins a growing roster of automakers reevaluating aggressive electrification targets.

Fellow luxury brand Bentley has pushed its full electrification from 2030 to 2035, while continuing to offer hybrids and ICE models. Mercedes-Benz walked back its 2030 all-EV goal, now aiming for about 50% electrified sales while keeping combustion engines into the 2030s. Porsche has abandoned its 80% EV sales target by 2030, delaying models and extending hybrids.

Mainstream giants are following suit. Honda canceled its U.S. EV plans, including the 0-Series and Acura RSX, facing a $15.7 billion hit as it doubles down on hybrids. Ford and General Motors have incurred tens of billions in writedowns, canceling models and pivoting to hybrids amid an industry total exceeding $70 billion in charges.

Advertisement

This trend reflects a pragmatic shift driven by infrastructure gaps, consumer preferences, and policy changes. In the ultra-luxury segment, where emotional connection reigns, automakers are prioritizing flexibility over rigid deadlines, ensuring brands like Rolls-Royce evolve without alienating their core clientele.

Continue Reading

News

Elon Musk teases expectations for Tesla’s AI6 self-driving chip

This optimistic timeline for tape-out—the stage where chip design is finalized before manufacturing—signals Tesla’s push to rapidly advance its silicon capabilities.

Published

on

Credit: Grok

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is outlining expectations for the AI6 self-driving chip, which is still two generations away. Despite this, it is already in the plans of the company and its serial entrepreneur CEO, who has high expectations for it.

Musk provided fresh details on the company’s aggressive AI hardware roadmap, spotlighting the upcoming AI6 chip designed to supercharge Tesla’s self-driving tech, humanoid robots, and data center operations.

In a post on X dated March 19, Musk stated, “With some luck and acceleration using AI, we might be able to tape out AI6 in December.”

This optimistic timeline for tape-out—the stage where chip design is finalized before manufacturing—signals Tesla’s push to rapidly advance its silicon capabilities.

The announcement builds on progress with the predecessor AI5. Earlier in January, Musk announced that the AI5 design was “in good shape” and “almost done,” describing it as an “existential” project for the company that demanded his personal attention on weekends.

He characterized AI5 as roughly equivalent to Nvidia’s Hopper class performance in a single system-on-chip (SoC) and Blackwell-level as a dual configuration, but at significantly lower cost and power usage.

Advertisement

Elon Musk is setting high expectations for Tesla AI5 and AI6 chips

Musk highlighted that AI5 “will punch far above its weight” thanks to Tesla’s co-designed AI software and hardware stack, making maximal use of every circuit. While capable of data center training tasks, it is primarily optimized for edge computing in Optimus robots and Robotaxi vehicles.

For AI6, Musk envisions substantial gains. “In the same half reticle and same process node, we think a single AI6 chip has the potential to match a dual SoC AI5,” he explained.

The company is targeting ambitious nine-month development cycles for future chips, allowing rapid iteration to AI7, AI8, and beyond. AI5/AI6 engineering remains Musk’s top time allocation at Tesla, with the CEO calling AI5 “good” and AI6 “great.”

Advertisement

Samsung is expected to manufacture the AI6 chips, following deals worth billions, while AI5 will leverage TSMC and Samsung production. These chips will form the backbone of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system, enabling safer and more capable autonomy, alongside powering dexterous movements in Optimus bots and efficient inference in expanding data centers.

Tesla to discuss expansion of Samsung AI6 production plans: report

Musk has also restarted work on the Dojo 3 supercomputer project now that AI5 is progressing. Long-term plans include in-house manufacturing via the Terafab facility.

By accelerating chip development with AI tools, Tesla aims to reduce dependence on third-party GPUs and deliver high-performance, energy-efficient solutions tailored to its ecosystem. Success with AI6 could mark a major milestone in Tesla’s journey toward full autonomy and robotics leadership, though timelines remain subject to manufacturing realities.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

SpaceX is quietly becoming the U.S. Military’s only reliable rocket

Space Force drops ULA for SpaceX on GPS launch after Vulcan rocket anomaly investigation halts flights.

Published

on

By

The U.S. Space Force announced today it is switching an upcoming GPS III satellite launch from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to a SpaceX Falcon 9, a move that is as much a reflection of Vulcan’s mounting problems as it is a validation of SpaceX’s growing dominance in national security space launch. The GPS III Space Vehicle 09, originally contracted to fly on Vulcan this month, will now target a late April liftoff on Falcon 9, marking the fourth consecutive GPS III satellite the Space Force has moved to SpaceX after contracts were originally awarded to ULA.

The immediate trigger is a solid rocket motor anomaly that occurred on February 12 during Vulcan’s USSF-87 mission. Although the payloads reached orbit and ULA declared the mission successful, the company characterized the malfunction as a “significant performance anomaly” and has since paused all military launches on Vulcan pending a root cause investigation.

“With this change, we are answering the call for rapid delivery of advanced GPS capability while the Vulcan anomaly investigation continues,” said Systems Delta 81 Commander Col. Ryan Hiserote. “We are once again demonstrating our team’s flexibility and are fully committed to leverage all options available for responsive and reliable launch for the Nation.”

The broader reality is that SpaceX’s reliability record and launch cadence have made it the path of least resistance for the Pentagon, and bodes well with Elon Musk’s plans to IPO SpaceX sometime this year. Its Falcon 9 is the most flight-proven rocket in history, and the Space Force’s Rapid Response Trailblazer program was specifically designed to enable exactly this kind of provider swap for GPS missions, and effectively building SpaceX’s flexibility into the national security launch architecture by design.

Advertisement

SpaceX IPO is coming, CEO Elon Musk confirms

For ULA, the stakes are existential. The company entered 2026 with aspirations of finally turning a corner after years of Vulcan delays, with interim CEO John Elbon pointing to a backlog of over 80 missions as reason for optimism. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s contracts with the Space Force have given it a formal pathway to take on even more national security launches going forward.

The significance of today’s announcement extends beyond one satellite swap. It reinforces that America’s most critical space infrastructure, including GPS, missile warning, and beyond, is increasingly dependent on a single commercial provider.

Advertisement
Continue Reading