Affordable Cybertruck Variant Boasts 350-Mile Range, Misses $40K Price Target

Tesla has introduced an entry-level Cybertruck Long Range priced at $69,990 plus destination charge.
A single motor with rear-wheel drive offers a longer range by up to 37 miles and costs $10,000 less than an all-wheel-drive option.
The drawbacks encompass a 0-60 mph acceleration of 6.2 seconds, a lower towing capacity, and significantly fewer standard features.

Nearly 18 months following the Cybertruck The more budget-friendly entry-level version of the Tesla Cybertruck was released in December 2023. However, the reduced specifications of the Cybertruck Long Range may lead you to consider skipping it.

Almost Not a Bargain, but Still Better than Nothing

A basic, single-engine, rear-wheel-drive Cybertruck has been part of the original design plans all along. Although the cost for the 2025 Long Range at $69,990 plus an additional $2,245 for delivery and ordering charges (not including the potential $7,500 tax break) remains significantly higher than expected. $39,990 which Elon Musk pledged for this particular model configuration In 2019 prices, it would still equate to a $10,000 saving compared to the current bi-motor AWD version. Additionally, it is priced $30,000 lower than the outrageously costly Cyberbeast.

More: Tesla Silently Removes Cybertruck’s $16K Extended-Range Option Following $2,000 Deposit Collectors

In addition to the pricing benefits, removing the front motor and driveshafts also contributes to reducing the car's overall weight (though Tesla hasn't specified exactly how much). This change allows the Long Range model to achieve a 350-mile (563 km) EPA estimated range. This figure applies to the LR without a tonneau cover; ordering the optional $750 soft tonneau would affect this further. electric The range extends up to 362 miles (583 km), significantly surpassing the 325 miles (523 km) claimed for the all-wheel-drive version.

The Capture: Many Equipment Compromises

However, after this point, the long-range model doesn't seem promising when it comes to attracting potential buyers. Reducing that price becomes necessary. Tesla Has made the Cybertruck so devoid of features that each time you get inside, you'll remember you were too frugal to opt for the all-wheel drive version.

Instead of the vegan leather seats, simpler cloth ones take their place; these remain heated but lose ventilation. You also get demoted from larger wheels unless you pay extra for the bigger 20-inch rims available only on the all-wheel-drive model. However, this upgrade costs an additional $3,500, significantly reducing your savings. Additionally, the adjustable air suspension is swapped out for regular steel springs, and the high-end audio system drops from fourteen speakers to just seven.

Slower and Less Capable

Even if you're the type of driver who doesn’t push the gas pedal hard enough to feel or worry about the acceleration dropping from 4.1 to 6.2 seconds for the zero-to-60-mph run, you will likely be concerned about the significant decrease in towing capacity. While all-wheel-drive Cybertrucks can pull up to 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms), the Long Range model is limited to just 7,500 pounds (3,402 kilograms). Additionally, there's also a reduced payload capacity of 265 pounds (120 kilograms) to take into account.

Adding the absence of the bed’s electrical outlets and the additional cost for a soft tonneau cover, considering that the AWD comes with a retractable one as standard, significantly diminishes the attractiveness of the Long Range model. Tesla might contend that theLR remains competitive against mid-tier options. Ford F-150 Lightnings , which accelerates somewhat quicker but doesn't travel as far on a single charge. What’s your take? Was the base model Cyberpunk worth the anticipation?