Tesla has made the price of entry to its controversial Cybertruck much higher, removing the single-motor rear-wheel drive price-leader from the range.
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Tesla has altered its Cybertuck lineup in the USA, pushing the price of entry higher, as the former cheapest model has been quietly removed from the range.
The single-motor Cybertruck Long Range has been quietly removed from Tesla’s website in the United States.
The entry-level model was priced from $US69,990 ($AU104,920), powered by a 235kW motor and rated with a driving range of 560km based on EPA testing.
Prior to the Cybertruck’s release, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed the Cybertruck would start from $US39,900 ($AU59,800) during a 2019 product presentation.
By the time the Cybertruck went on sale in 2023, pricing had risen to $US60,990 ($91,400).
The Cybertruck range continues with two available variants, the dual-motor Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive and the three-motor Cyberbeast.
Pricing for the Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive remains unchanged, but means buyers now have to pay $US79,990 ($AU119,900) to get into the cheapest Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck All-Wheel Drive steps up specifications with a combined output of 450kW from its dual-motor drivetrain, while the range rating drops slightly to 550km.
The top-spec Cybertruck Cyberbeast upgrades to a single front motor and dual rear motors for 630kW combined and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 2.7 seconds.
The flagship Cybertruck kicks off from $US114,990 ($AU172,400) but has the shortest driving range rating at 510km, using the same 123kWh battery as other variants.
While Tesla doesn't offer traditional updates for its lineup changes, the combination of a lower payload and towing capacity for the Cybertruck Long Range, along with lower overall specifications, likely contributed to a lack of demand for the entry-level version.
The Cybertruck Long Range’s 3400kg towing and 910kg payload fall short of the 4990kg towing and 1133kg payload of the more expensive versions.
Over the life of the Cybertruck, the unusual stainless steel-bodied dual-cab has cycled through on-again, off-again likelihood for Australia, with the latest comments from Australian management suggesting the brand is working hard to get a right-hand drive version of the Cybertruck into Australian showrooms.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
