--- title: "Tesla’s “Blade Runner” Cybertruck Is an Absolute Monstrosity" description: "During an event last night, Tesla CEO Elon Musk finally revealed the company's long-awaited \"cybertruck.\" And it's quite something." date: "2019-11-22" modified: "2019-11-22" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-elon-musk-unveils-blade-runner-cybertruck" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "cybertruck" - "electric pickup" - "elon musk" - "pickup" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla’s “Blade Runner” Cybertruck Is an Absolute Monstrosity ![]() *\Image: Tesla/Victor Tangermann\* ## Cybertruck During a Thursday evening event near SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, Calfornia, Tesla CEO Elon Musk finally revealed the company's long-awaited "Cybertruck." It's, uh, a conversation starter. ![]() ## Ultimate Durability The five-seater truck is even [stranger looking]() than we expected. It has an unusual triangular chassis that comes to a point above the driver side's window. The overall design is "influenced partly by 'The Spy Who Loved Me'," Musk [tweeted]() before the event, a reference to James Bonds' [iconic underwater car](). A "nearly impenetrable exoskeleton" will ensure "ultimate durability and passenger protection," according to [Tesla's website](). ![]() The strange truck will start at $39,900 for a single motor, rear-wheel drive variant. A far more powerful tri-motor, all-wheel drive setup will put you back $69,900. A "Self-Driving" feature listed on Tesla's website will cost an additional $7,000. The entry level variant and the more expensive tri-motor model will available in "late 2021" and "late 2022" respectively [according to Tesla](). While Tesla hasn't officially announced battery ranges, Musk promised that a max-range model will go as far as 500 miles on a single charge. The entry level model will have a range of only 250 miles — comparable to Tesla's other current offerings. ## Let's Go Camping So who's it for? Tesla showed off a number of use-cases on its website, including an optional trailer attachment that can weigh up to 7,000 pounds and a rear tent and outdoor grill variant. There's even enough space for [Telsa's brand new all terrain vehicle]() in the truck bed, which the company added as a "one more thing" to its presentation. ![]() **READ MORE:** [Tesla Cybertruck first ride: inside Elon Musk’s electric pickup truck]() \[*The Verge*\] **More on the cybertruck:** *[Elon Musk Confirms Tesla “Cybertruck” Debut Date]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()