‘Holy crap’: Elon Musk launches Cybertruck with spectacular stunt

Elon Musk has launched Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck in trademark fashion, but is also facing criticism about its price and range.

Elliot Nash

4 min read

December 1, 2023 - 12:32PM

Tesla Cybertruck smashes a Porsche 911 in a drag race - even while towing

“Beats a Porsche 911 while towing a 911.”

With that scarcely-believable declaration, Elon Musk launch the long-awaited Cybertruck.

Two years after its anticipated delivery, Tesla’s latest creation debuted in Austin, accompanied by excitement, controversy and a few kick-ass stunts.

Musk unveiled footage of a drag race between the Cybertruck and a Porsche 911.

The catch was the Cybertruck was towing a trailer carrying a Porsche 911 — and it still won the quarter-mile sprint.

Tech journalist Brian Krassenstein was clearly impressed, tweeting: “Holy Crap. Watch this video to the end. The Cybertruck is faster than a Porsche 911 while towing a Porsche 911.”

Elon Musk has launched the Cyber Truck with a spectacular stunt.

The 911 on a trailer being towed by the Cyber Truck still crossed the finish line ahead of the other 911.

In another stunt, a gunman unleashed a round of shots from a machine gun without piercing the car’s stainless steel panels.

“If Al Capone showed up with a Tommy gun and emptied the entire magazine into the car door, you would still be alive,” he said.

“People said why did you make it bulletproof and I said ‘why not?’”

Musk also recreated his failed stunt at the original unveiling of a prototype in 2019, when he smashed a window with a steel ball while trying to demonstrate the toughness of the truck’s glass.

This time the stunt went to plan, although he used a baseball this time.

Musk said the truck was also a practical, capable work truck.

“It’s basically an incredibly useful truck. It’s not just some grandstanding showpiece like me,” he said.

Musk personally delivered vehicles to customers off the production line after delivering a speech full of hyperbole and a little self-deprecation to an online audience of almost 2 million.

“Once every five to ten years something really special, a really unusual product comes along and we’ll remember those special moments

“I think it’s our best product. I think it’s the most unique thing on the road. And finally the future will look like the future,” the tech billionaire told an adoring live audience.

Musk claimed the Cybertruck was a “better truck than a truck and a better sports car than a sports car”.

“It’s very rare that a product comes along that is seemingly impossible. That people said was impossible, that experts said was impossible,” he said.

Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck hits the road, but Elon Musk faces criticism for pricing surprises and unmet range expectations, dividing fans and critics. Picture AFP

Only available in the US, the entry-level variant, equipped with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The mid-tier model, featuring all-wheel drive and set to debut next year, achieves a swift 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds.

As for the premium edition slated for 2024 – the one that beat out the 911 while towing another 911 – this impressive model boasts a top speed of 130 miles per hour (209km) and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in a remarkable 2.6 seconds.

It’s one of the most stunning pieces of technological development by a man who has literally sent people to space.

But as always there were a few people looking beyond Musk’s bluster.

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee called out Tesla for “straight up not delivering on some of the key specs they promised”.

“Promised specs: 500+ mile range USD$70,000

“Delivered: 340-mile range USD$100,000

“Tesla (and others) have taken the stance that the thousands of pounds of extra battery required to deliver 500 miles of range with today’s battery technology is not worth the hit to driving dynamics.

“At this point, I can’t be surprised if Roadster 2.0 has nowhere near 600 miles of range either.”

While Musk was there to hand over the first Cybertrucks to customers, more unfulfilled promises tempered the excitement.

The Cybertruck is faster than a Porsche 911 while towing a Porsche 911. Picture: TESLA

Despite Musk’s claim that the base model would cost USD$40,000, the actual starting price is USD$61,000.

Moreover, Musk’s bold statements about producing 250,000 trucks per year by 2025 raised doubts about meeting demand.

There was also criticism of the 250-mile (402km) range for the base model, which falls short of competitors like the Rivian R1T and Ford’s F-150 Lightning.

The Cyberbeast model, touted as premium, offers a 320-mile (520km) range but raises eyebrows with its estimated USD$100,000 price tag.

But one Twitter/X user pointed out that the “range on a dual motor Rivian with all terrain tires is 307. Cybertruck with all terrain is 340. With road tires the range is probably closer to 400.”

Another posted: “I’m old enough to remember when we got promised 500+ Miles [range].”

Despite Musk’s claim that the base model would cost USD$40,000, the actual starting price is USD$61,000. Picture: Getty

The Cybertruck’s delayed release, unconventional design, and stainless steel construction posed challenges for Tesla’s engineering team.

However, there may be some advantages to the Cybertrucks’ construction.

Jim Spencer – Iowa Tesla Guy who attended the launch party noticed that the “finish on the Cybertruck appears to be a fine oscillated finish.”

“This will do a better job of hiding scratches,” he said.
“It’s easier for manufacturing and delivering a consistent overall finish panel to panel. Overall, very similar to my day job of 30+ years.”

As the Cybertruck hits the road, Tesla stock experienced a 1.8% dip after the event, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Tesla’s latest venture.

Tesla Cybertruck Specifications and Prices

RWD Cybertruck

Estimated Price: USD$61,000 (AUD$93,940)

Availability: 2025

Estimated Range: 250 miles (402km)

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds

AWD Cybertruck

Estimated Price: USD$80,000 (AUD$123,200)

Availability: 2024

Estimated Range: 340 miles (547km)

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds