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BMW mocks Tesla Cybertruck in social media ad for armored X5 SUV

(Credit: @rrosenbl/Twitter and BMW)

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The market may be warming up to the Tesla Cybertruck has shown in the vehicle’s 200k reservations and its spreading support among social media influencers and athletes, but some rival carmakers do not seem to be as friendly to the polarizing vehicle. Among these are BMW and Fisker, both of which have seemingly thrown some shade on the Tesla Cybertruck, particularly with its durability and its angular design. 

Following the Cybertruck’s unveiling, which was marred by an otherwise unfortunate incident surrounding the vehicle’s Armor Glass demo, German automaker BMW took to Twitter to promote its BMW X5 Protection VR6, an armored version of its popular SUV that is as tough as it gets. Referencing Tesla’s demo, BMW noted that its X5 Protection VR6 offers splinter protection “in case it gets hit by a metal ball,” an apparent reference to the Cybertruck’s unveiling event. 

BMW’s comment is a bit interesting considering the price disparity between the X5 Protection VR6 and the Cybertruck. Starting at $39,990, the Cybertruck is priced far below BMW’s SUV, which has a base MSRP of $58,900 before options. And that’s just the regular X5 as well. Special variants such as the BMW X5 Protection VR6, which are designed to fully protect passengers, are far more expensive. 

Yet it wasn’t just BMW which was all-too-willing to throw shade at Telsa for its Cybertruck. The all-electric pickup is unforgivingly angular and brutalist, and it looks almost like the antithesis of Tesla’s previous cars like the sleek Model S or the futuristic Model X. The Cybertruck’s angular frame then became an easy target for Fisker Inc. Chairman and noted automotive designer Henrik Fisker, who took to Twitter to seemingly poke fun at Elon Musk’s pickup truck, particularly its exoskeleton, by posting an image of a moving box with four wheels. 

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Fisker’s rather boxy comments following the Cybertruck’s reveal are quite interesting, considering that Henrik Fisker was actually once connected to Tesla. Prior to the founding of Fisker Automotive, Musk had shown the noted auto designer Tesla’s idea for the WhiteStar sedan (a vehicle that would become the Model S), but the designs Fisker ended up submitting to the electric car maker were all substandard. When confronted by Tesla, Fisker would reportedly blame the physical constraints that Musk and the company had placed on the car. Fisker would later establish Fisker Automotive with the Karma, a well-designed sedan, at the forefront. 

Fortunately for Tesla then, Musk was able to hire then-Mazda designer Franz von Holzhausen to take over the WhiteStar sedan’s design that Fisker could not accomplish. The result of this was the original Model S, which has largely remained unchanged in the seven years it has been on the market. The Model S was a resounding success, earning MotorTrend‘s Ultimate Car of the Year award earlier this year. Overall, it is quite ironic to see Henrik Fisker poke fun at Tesla for its Cybertruck design, seeing as he was unable to design a sedan for the company back when it was still starting out.

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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Cybertruck

Tesla confirms date when new Cybertruck trim will go up in price

Tesla has officially revealed that this price will only be available until February 28, as the company has placed a banner atop the Design Configurator on its website reflecting this.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has confirmed the date when its newest Cybertruck trim level will increase in price, after CEO Elon Musk noted that the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the all-electric pickup would only be priced at its near-bargain level for ten days.

Last week, Tesla launched the All-Wheel-Drive configuration of the Cybertruck. Priced at $59,990, the Cybertruck featured many excellent features and has seemingly brought some demand to the pickup, which has been underwhelming in terms of sales figures over the past couple of years.

Tesla launches new Cybertruck trim with more features than ever for a low price

When Tesla launched it, many fans and current owners mulled the possibility of ordering it. However,  Musk came out and said just hours after launching the pickup that Tesla would only keep it at the $59,990 price level for ten days.

What it would be priced at subsequently was totally dependent on how much demand Tesla felt for the new trim level, which is labeled as a “Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive” configuration.

Tesla has officially revealed that this price will only be available until February 28, as the company has placed a banner atop the Design Configurator on its website reflecting this:

Many fans and owners have criticized Tesla’s decision to unveil a trim this way, and then price it at something, only to change that price a few days later based on how well it sells.

It seems the most ideal increase in price would be somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000, but it truly depends on how many orders Tesla sees for this new trim level. The next step up in configuration is the Premium All-Wheel-Drive, which is priced at $79,990.

The difference between the Dual Motor AWD Cybertruck and the Premium AWD configuration comes down to towing, interior quality, and general features. The base package is only capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds, while the Premium can handle 11,000 pounds. Additionally, the seats in the Premium build are Vegan Leather, while the base trim gets the textile seats.

It also has only 7 speakers compared to the 15 that the Premium trim has. Additionally, the base model does not have an adjustable ride height, although it does have a coil spring with an adaptive damping suspension package.

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Tesla set to activate long-awaited Cybertruck feature

Tesla will officially activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature on Cybertruck soon, as the company has officially added the feature to its list of features by trim on its website.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is set to activate a long-awaited Cybertruck feature, and no matter when you bought your all-electric pickup, it has the hardware capable of achieving what it is designed to do.

Tesla simply has to flip the switch, and it plans to do so in the near future.

Tesla will officially activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature on Cybertruck soon, according to Not a Tesla App, as the company has officially added the feature to its list of features by trim on its website.

Tesla rolls out Active Road Noise Reduction for new Model S and Model X

The ANC feature suddenly appeared on the spec sheet for the Premium All-Wheel-Drive and Cyberbeast trims, which are the two configurations that have been delivered since November 2023.

However, those trims have both had the ANC disabled, and although they are found in the Model S and Model X, and are active in those vehicles, Tesla is planning to activate them.

In Tesla’s Service Toolbox, it wrote:

ANC software is not enabled on Cybertruck even though the hardware is installed.”

Tesla has utilized an ANC system in the Model S and Model X since 2021. The system uses microphones embedded in the front seat headrests to detect low-frequency road noise entering the cabin. It then generates anti-noise through phase-inverted sound waves to cancel out or reduce that noise, creating quieter zones, particularly around the vehicle’s front occupants.

The Model S and Model X utilize six microphones to achieve this noise cancellation, while the Cybertruck has just four.

Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD estimated delivery slips to early fall 2026

As previously mentioned, this will be activated through a software update, as the hardware is already available within Cybertruck and can simply be activated at Tesla’s leisure.

The delays in activating the system are likely due to Tesla Cybertruck’s unique design, which is unlike anything before. In the Model S and Model X, Tesla did not have to do too much, but the Cybertruck has heavier all-terrain tires and potentially issues from the aluminum castings that make up the vehicle’s chassis, which are probably presenting some challenges.

Unfortunately, this feature will not be available on the new Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive configuration, which was released last week.

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Tesla Model S and X customization options begin to thin as their closure nears

Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla Model S and Model X customization options are beginning to thin for the first time as the closure of the two “sentimental” vehicles nears.

We are officially seeing the first options disappear as Tesla begins to work toward ending production of the two cars and the options that are available to those vehicles specifically.

Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.

Tesla is making way for the Optimus humanoid robot project at the Fremont Factory, where the Model S and Model X are produced. The two cars are low-volume models and do not contribute more than a few percent to Tesla’s yearly delivery figures.

With CEO Elon Musk confirming that the Model S and Model X would officially be phased out at the end of the quarter, some of the options are being thinned out.

This is an expected move considering Tesla’s plans for the two vehicles, as it will make for an easier process of transitioning that portion of the Fremont plant to cater to Optimus manufacturing. Additionally, this is likely one of the least popular colors, and Tesla is choosing to only keep around what it is seeing routine demand for.

During the Q4 Earnings Call in January, Musk confirmed the end of the Model S and Model X:

“It is time to bring the Model S and Model X programs to an end with an honorable discharge. It is time to bring the S/X programs to an end. It’s part of our overall shift to an autonomous future.”

Fremont will now build one million Optimus units per year as production is ramped.

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