√Tesla Cybertruck Performance electric ute: Details of flagship model emerge

Details of the high-performance version of the Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up have leaked months before they were due to be announced.

The high-performance version of the Tesla Cybertruck is expected to use the same electric tri-motor powertrain as the flagship Tesla Model X Plaid SUV and Tesla Model S Plaid, according to fresh details unearthed in the US.

The Tesla Cybertruck revealed in November 2019 is an electric rival to the Rivian R1T and the recently revealed Fisker Alaska, all three of which are for now exclusive for North America.

Delays in the production start-up have seen the Tesla Cybertruck’s on-sale date repeatedly pushed back, with the first road-going example built in July 2023 at Tesla’s Austin, Texas factory at least 18 months behind schedule.

The latest timing should see the Tesla Cybertruck due in US showrooms by the end of 2023 – pending any further delays.

For now, there is still no confirmation of a right-hand-drive version of the Tesla Cybertruck or whether it will be sold in Australia.

When it was unveiled in 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck line-up was outlined with an entry-level single-electric motor and more powerful dual- and tri-motor versions.

These core models were later tipped to be joined by a performance version that would use the Model S tri-motor powertrain, however that changed after Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested otherwise.

Referencing the performance version of the Tesla Cybertruck, Musk posted on social media channel Twitter (now X) in late 2021 that, “Initial production will be four-motor variant, with independent, ultra-fast response torque control of each wheel”.

That appeared to be a response to the quad-motor electric powertrain in the Rivian R1T, however CarBuzz reports the cost of the quad-motor set-up and ongoing production delays have seen a return to the previous tri-motor arrangement.

While Tesla has not confirmed this latest speculation – or provided any performance details for a more potent Cybertruck – CarBuzz reports via the Twitter/X account of Matthew Donegan-Ryan: “Performance rivals a Plaid Model X”.

The Tesla Model X Plaid uses the tri-motor set-up to produce 1020hp (761kW) and a claimed 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of 2.5 seconds.

The tri-motor electric also sees the Model S Plaid – the fastest performance version of the Model S sedan – accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.1 seconds.

An optional $US30,000/$AU47,066 ‘Track Package’ introduced earlier this year sees the Model S Plaid reach a 322km/h (200mph) top speed, according to Tesla.

The Model S Plaid also reclaimed the title of the fastest production electric car around the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany, in June, displacing the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.

While the same powertrain as the Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid, the tri-motor set-up will need modifications to suit the Cybertruck’s higher voltage system. Tesla has claimed that the non-performance tri-motor version of the Cybertruck will be capable of towing up to 14,000 pounds (6350kg).

In addition to the tri-motor powertrain, CarBuzz also reported the flagship Cybertruck will also have bi-direction charging, a feature seen on other electric vehicles including the electric Ford F-150 Lightning that enables the vehicle to become an electric power source.

Meanwhile, a ‘low-VIN’ (Vehicle Identification Number) Cybertruck was sold at the Petersen Automotive Museum Gala in Los Angeles, USA, for $US400,000/ $AU627,550 on 7 October 2023.

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