Tesla launches a stripped-down version of the Cybertruck in the United States with reduced features and price

Tesla has just announced the availability of an even more affordable version of its electric pickup in the United States, under the name Cybertruck Long Range. This new version is available from $69,990, before destination charges and taxes, cutting $10,000 from the price of the Cybertruck AWD that had been sold until now as the entry-level model in the range.

To bring down the price of the Cybertruck with this new Long Range version, the American manufacturer has, however, also had to reduce the technical specifications and equipment level, as we explain below.

First of all, it should be noted that the new Cybertruck Long Range has a single electric motor on the rear axle, instead of two as in the AWD version or the three in the Cyberbeast at the top of the range. Additionally, it also lacks a mechanical locking differential on the front axle, since, as we have already said, it has only one motor on the rear axle.

Tesla’s electric pickup caters to the needs of a larger number of customers

As would be expected, with only one motor its on-road performance is somewhat limited compared with the AWD version. Thus, to reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill, the Cybertruck Long Range requires 6.2 seconds, versus 4.1 seconds for the AWD version and 2.6 seconds for the Cyberbeast.

The same applies to its towing capacity, which drops to 7,500 pounds, versus 11,000 pounds for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast. Meanwhile, the payload capacity in the rear bed is also limited to 2,006 pounds, versus 2,500 pounds for the AWD version and 2,271 pounds for the Cyberbeast.

Its range is, however, slightly higher than that of the AWD version, promising 350 miles versus 325 miles for the latter. There is also the option to stretch this figure to 362 miles, if the soft tonneau cover, which is not included as standard in this version, is added as an option for $750.

Reduced equipment

Beyond this reduction in technical specifications and on-road performance of the new Cybertruck Long Range, this version also has some limitations in its standard equipment. Thus, the air suspension system has been replaced by a less costly adaptive coil spring setup, and the standard 20-inch wheels of the AWD version have been swapped for 18-inch ones. All of this is aimed at reducing costs.

Inside, the seats are cloth in the Cybertruck Long Range, replacing the more premium materials used in the higher versions. The front seats are not ventilated, although they are still heated, and the screen for rear passengers has also been removed. The audio system also limits the number of speakers to seven, compared with the 15 with active noise cancellation available in the higher versions.

In addition, the sockets available both in the rear seats and in the bed have been removed, which will prevent powering any electronic device, unless Tesla’s mobile charger is plugged into the charging port with an adapter. The HEPA filter has also been eliminated, as has the rear light bar, and the bed lighting is now standard instead of premium.

Open reservations in the United States

All customers in the United States who are willing to do without all these features and this equipment level can already reserve the new Cybertruck Long Range on Tesla’s website, upon payment of a $250 non-refundable deposit. Finally, it is worth remembering that in the United States this version can also claim the $7,500 federal tax credit offered by the government, which would bring its price down to just over $60,000.