Long-awaited, metal-plated electric pick-up truck’s interior to retain Tesla’s ‘less is more’ design philosophy
New details of the long-overdue Tesla Cybertruck’s interior design have been uncovered during the abruptly-styled trapezoidal pick-up truck’s recent outing at Tesla’s annual shareholder event on May 16 at the Texas Gigafactory, where it will be built.
Two new photos of the full-size dual-cab pick-up truck were posted on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum by user Yomama69, revealing the vehicle’s ultra-minimalist interior design.
Like the top-selling Model 3 and Model Y mid-size electric vehicles, the bigger Cybertruck will do without a traditional driver’s instrument cluster and will instead employ a single large central multimedia screen to present road speed, navigation and other key driving data, along with the typical infotainment functions.
Mounted on a long, flat dashboard devoid of any features or even air-vents, the Cybertruck’s screen and the new-look steering wheel appear to be the only design flourishes.
Even the ‘squircle’ steering wheel – a mash-up of a regular steering wheel and a controversial yoke design – features indicator buttons on the left side spoke, eliminating the need for conventional steering column stalks.
Some of the other cabin elements that can be clearly seen in the photos include a large central storage bin under a roller cover within a traditional centre console, which stops short of the dash to allow ‘walk-through’ capability.
Importantly, it also shows that a three-position front bench seat has been ditched, and that the driver’s seat will offer power adjustment, at least in the vehicle seen here.
Given that production of the all-American dual-cab 4×4 ute is finally set to start within months, this could be a close approximation of the finished product.
However, it’s still not clear whether the Tesla Cybertruck will be offered in Australia.
Despite previously taking deposits from Aussie customers, Tesla has halted Cybertruck orders in Australia and also axed right-hand drive production of the Model S and Model X, casting doubts about its model plans outside the US, China and Europe.
The final production design and tech specs for the Tesla Cybertruck are still a closely guarded secret but initial details revealed at its launch in 2019 suggest the top-spec triple-motor versions will be extremely powerful and capable of hitting 100km/h in about three seconds.
Maximum range was previously outlined at 805km (500 miles), but following lengthy delays the Cybertruck’s initial prices and specifications will change, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, meaning the original entry-level price of $US39,900 ($A61,550) for the single-motor version will rise.
However, with production of the Ford F-150 Lightning set to commence in the next few months, we expect Tesla will announce more official details soon, allowing customers who have pre-ordered a Cybertruck to configure them online.
With more than a million deposits reportedly already placed, Cybertruck production at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory in Austin is expected to be tied up for the foreseeable future, likely putting RHD versions for markets like Australia on the backburner – or potentially out of reach altogether.
Watch this space.
Images: Cybertruck Owners Club
Keyword: Tesla Cybertruck interior exposed