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Top 10 Tesla Cybertruck hidden features you may have missed

(Credit: The Fast Lane Truck/YouTube)

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The Tesla Cybertruck is loaded to the teeth with technology that the vehicle is practically a mystery box of hidden features. Couple this with the fact that the vehicle’s unveiling did not really go as planned, as well as CEO Elon Musk pretty much rushing through the truck’s presentation following the pickup’s Armor Glass demo, and many of the Cybertruck’s noatbly cool features remained unsaid.

Fortunately, some of these hidden features have been spotted by the Tesla community, thanks to photographs and videos of the vehicle taken during the unveiling event, as well as images that were released by the electric car maker in the Cybertruck’s press kit. With this in mind, following are the Tesla Cybertruck’s Top 10 hidden features that may have been missed during last week’s unveiling event. Let’s dig in.

Center Fold-Down Front Seat Cup Holders and Storage Area

(Credit: Shmee150/YouTube)

The Tesla Cybertruck is equipped with three seats on the front, though the middle acts more like a smaller jump seat. As could be seen in test ride videos of the vehicle, this middle seat actually folds down to become a large center armrest. Interestingly, this center armrest doubles as a storage compartment. It also has three cup holders that are fitted right at the middle seat’s back headrest, along with a spare change holder (aka “junk cubby”) for random knick knacks.

Interior Lighting Strip for Rear Seats

(Credit: Tesla)

Despite its unapologetically futuristic, brutalistic exterior, the interior of the Tesla Cybertruck is actually quite welcoming. Upon entering the vehicle, passengers are greeted by a cavernous interior and a massive glass roof that would surely be a treat for those who love camping in their vehicle. The rear seats are also fitted with an interior lighting strip on the sides, providing illumination for the truck’s passengers at the back. The lights are white too, giving an additional futuristic, Tron-like flair for the Cybertruck’s exterior.

Sun Visor is Flush Against the A-Pillar

(Credit: JerryRigEverything/YouTube)

Among the clever features of the Cybertruck is its sun visor, which flushes against the A-Pillar. This would be particularly useful considering that the pickup has a massive windshield that may very well dwarf the Model X’s already-expansive windshield in sheer size.

Rear Armrest, Pass-Through for Extra-Long Cargo

(Credit: Tesla)

The Tesla Cybertruck has a large center armrest in the rear that looks to double as support for extra-long cargo. The all-electric pickup is already equipped with a 6.5-foot bed, which is pretty substantial, but for those who wish to haul even lengthier cargo, the center armrest can fold down and act as a pass-through for items that exceed 6.5 feet. 

Scroll Wheels on the Steering Wheel

(Credit: Teslarati)

The Tesla Cybertruck is fitted with a steering yoke that looks very similar to the one used by the company in its next-generation Roadster prototype. This would likely be changed into a regular steering wheel when the vehicle enters production, but based on test rides of the pickup, it appears that the Cybertruck will utilize Model 3-esque steering wheel controls, complete with the sedan’s scroll wheels.

Autopilot Camera in Fender

(Credit: Teslarati)

Similar to Tesla’s other prototypes like the next-generation Roadster or the Semi during its unveiling, the Cybertruck is not equipped with traditional side mirrors. Instead, the vehicle would likely use a pair of Autopilot cameras in its front fender. Considering existing regulations in regions such as the United States, there is a pretty good chance that the Cybertruck will be equipped with traditional side mirrors when it enters production.

L-Track Rails and T-Slots

(Credit: The Verge/YouTube)

The Cybertruck is fitted with L-track rails and T-slots that allow users to place anchor points anywhere in the vehicle’s expansive 6.5-foot bed. This is key to transporting items that may otherwise move about on the pickup’s bed during transport if they are not tied down. With these components in place, Tesla Cybertruck owners would be able carry even fragile items on the rear in a secure manner.

Flush Tonneau Truck Bed Cover Activation Buttons

(Credit: Teslarati)

The Tesla Cybertruck utilizes a motorized tonneau bed cover that can be engaged and disengaged by a flush button on the vehicle’s rear. These buttons, which are notably large and easy to reach, are found on both sides of the vehicle.

Hidden storage underneath vault bed

(Credit: Tesla)

The Tesla Cybertruck is full of storage areas, one of which is found on the bottom of the vehicle’s 6.5-foot bed itself. Based on images provided by Tesla, this space appears to be large enough to store medium-sized items such as toolboxes and sleeping bags, for those extended outdoor trips.

Hidden storage in sail pillar

(Credit: Tesla)

For those who wish to use the Cybertuck for work, the futuristic pickup truck is fitted with a hidden storage compartment in its sail pillar. Images of the space shown during a slide at the Cybertruck’s unveiling suggest that the storage areas in the vehicle’s sail may be enough to fit some tools or similarly-sized items.

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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SpaceX to become America’s Military data backbone for missiles, drones, and warfighters

The Space Force just handed SpaceX $2.29 billion to build the military’s space internet backbone.

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US Golden Dome space defense system (Concept render by Grok)

The U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract on May 26, 2026 to build the backbone of its Space Data Network, a satellite-based communications system designed to keep American military forces connected anywhere on Earth in real time. The contract is firm-fixed-price and requires SpaceX to deliver a fully operational prototype by the end of 2027.

In plain terms, the SDN Backbone is the plumbing behind the military’s space-based internet. It functions as a low Earth orbit satellite constellation providing robust, high-capacity, and low-latency data transport for the Joint Force, connecting sensors and weapons systems continuously, globally, and securely. Think of it as a private, hardened version of Starlink built specifically for battlefield communications, one that soldiers, ships, and aircraft can rely on even in contested environments where ground-based networks have been disrupted.

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

The Space Force was direct about why SpaceX was selected. “The SDN Backbone leverages the best of commercial innovation and delivers a strong foundation for the SDN mission set — a huge benefit and enabler for our warfighters,” said USSF Col. Ryan Frazier.

“We aren’t trading speed for scale; we are demanding both. By using rapid prototyping and Other Transaction Authorities, we are ensuring our advanced solutions are integrated and delivered to the warfighter as fast as possible,” added USSF Lt. Col. Fry, SDN Backbone system program manager.

The SDN Backbone will work alongside the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer, with the two systems forming a unified open architecture to provide critical data transport for current and future Department of War missions.

As Teslarati has reported, this is not SpaceX’s first Space Force contract of 2026. In April, the Space Force awarded SpaceX $178.5 million to launch missile tracking satellites, and SpaceX is already embedded in the Golden Dome missile defense software group. The $2.29 billion SDN Backbone award puts SpaceX at the center of how the American military communicates in space, a position with direct implications for its reported $1.75 trillion IPO valuation as the company heads toward a public offering as early as June 2026.

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Tesla’s dedicated Optimus factory construction officially underway at Giga Texas

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla’s dedicated factory for building up to ten million Optimus units is officially under construction at Gigafactory Texas.

Drone footage released on May 27 by Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer captures the significant milestone of the first steel structure officially standing at Tesla’s new Optimus factory on the North Campus of the facility.

Phase two of land reclamation is advancing steadily, and the progress will let the new building extend nearly the full length of the main Giga Texas factory, potentially exceeding 4,000 feet, while measuring somewhere between 50 and 70 meters narrower. Extensive foundation work is proceeding as well.

This facility forms a central element of Tesla’s broader North Campus expansion at Giga Texas. The project will add more than 5.2 million square feet of new industrial space. It sits alongside other advanced developments, including a Terafab for next-gen AI chips. The scale reflects Tesla’s commitment to transforming humanoid robotics into a core pillar of the company’s future.

Musk has said that Optimus will be the biggest product in the world on several occasions. He believes it will be Tesla’s biggest valuation contributor.

Tesla prepares to expand Giga Texas with new Optimus production plant

Tesla plans to build about 10 million robots at the site annually once it is completed, which would be about 27,000 units each day.

The Optimus plant at Giga Texas is part of Tesla’s phased strategy for Optimus manufacturing. In an effort to start production of the robot well before the Giga Texas plant is complete, Tesla ended production of the Model S and Model X vehicles, which were built in Fremont, California, to make way for initial Optimus manufacturing efforts.

Production there will start in either July or August of this year, and early units will support internal factory tasks while the team gathers real-world data to refine processes. The Gigafactory Texas facility will house a second-gen production line. It targets high-volume output starting in Summer 2027.

Musk has repeatedly described Optimus as potentially more valuable than Tesla’s entire vehicle business. Current versions are already completing minor tasks around various facilities, while Tesla continues to refine its abilities and add new features.

Tesla’s total investment could reach several billion dollars. Significant challenges lie ahead, including the creation of an entirely new manufacturing ecosystem, the refinement of AI systems for dependable autonomy, and the development of reliable supply chains for actuators, sensors, and other components.

Nevertheless, the visible progress at Giga Texas highlights Tesla’s capacity to translate ambitious concepts into physical reality.

Tesla’s Optimus factory stands as much more than a simple expansion project, as it is quite literally the second phase of what could potentially be the biggest product ever. With construction beginning, 2027 is poised to become a transformative year for Tesla, as it evolves even further from an electric vehicle leader into a pioneer of intelligent, general-purpose machines.

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Tesla teases going Plaid Mode with the Model 3

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, recently revealed the company has thought about introducing a Plaid powertrain on the Model 3, but there could be some challenges involved.

On the Ride the Lightning podcast, Moravy revealed that he thinks about a Plaid Model 3 “all the time,” and it certainly has a place in Tesla’s potential lineup of future vehicles.

Now that the Plaid powertrain is technically defunct due to the newfound absence of the Model S and Model X, Tesla could find a way to reintroduce the lightning-quick trim level to its mass-market vehicles.

But there are going to be some challenges with it. Moravy said that the Model 3 Plaid would likely adopt the carbon-sleeved motors that the Model S Plaid had. However, packaging would be a major challenge, as Moravy said on the podcast, it would be a “tight engineering squeeze.”

It’s important to note that there are no active production plans for the Model 3 Plaid at this point, but it’s also worth noting that with the Model S and Model X Plaid no longer available, Tesla would likely be willing to introduce something that is even more white-knuckle than the Model 3 Performance, which already boasts a 2.9-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate and a top speed of 163 MPH.

Of course, there is the Roadster, but we don’t know when that will exactly make it to market, and we know that, for sure, it will not be accessible to many.

Tesla unveils juicy new detail on the Roadster and hints at new unveil timeline

Tesla has prided itself in building some of the best cars out there, but they’re also interested in building cars that are simply fun to be in.

A Plaid Model 3 could truly push the limits and could end up being one of the best cars Tesla will ever build, especially if it can shave off at least half of a second from its 0-60 MPH time and increase its top speed slightly.

More than anything, the real changes will be in the ride and aerodynamics. Tesla improving things like the suspension, handling, and downforce will be the true trademarks of its Plaid powertrain; putting it in the Model 3 could be a great move for the company and for customers interested in high-end performance.

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