Tesla Pickup Design Surprise: Are These Features Included?

While a model unit for Tesla’s Cybertruck has yet to make an appearance, it’s fairly safe to say that with all of Elon Musk’s vague assurances of the pickup truck’s futuristic appeal, the design’s going to be something totally different from what we’ve come to expect from a truck.

That said, there are plenty of features that are so inherent to pickup trucks that they should also be found on the Cybertruck, regardless of how outlandish it is. Anything less, and the truck is going to alienate a lot of enthusiasts, many of whom would probably happily patronize Rivian instead.

It’s a tight race between the two companies, but since Tesla’s scheduled to finally reveal its most elusive vehicle tomorrow, here are some of the things we need to see, lest we abandon Musk for greener pastures.

First is the truck’s hauling capacity. Per a report, this is probably the most important feature of a pickup truck. That’s what the bed’s going to be for, right? Many existing light-duty models can carry up to 2,000 pounds on both the cab and the bed, so the Cybertruck is going to have to match that if it’s classifying itself as a light-duty vehicle. If Tesla’s releasing a heavy-duty truck, on the other hand, then it needs to be able to carry much more than that.

Next is the off-roading capabilities. While pickup trucks aren’t exactly ATVs, the fact that trucks run on a diesel engine and are mostly rear- or four-wheel drive means that they can tough it out with the big boys. And while people don’t often use these trucks to go into less-traveled paths, it’s good to know that you’ve got a vehicle that can get you out of a tight spot. Tesla’s going to need to keep this in mind, especially since they’re ditching fuel injection.

The third is towing power. Just like with no. 1, a pickup truck needs to be able to tow a serviceable weight in order to classify it as a pickup truck. That means it needs to be able to pull at least 13,000 pounds if it wants to play chicken with Ford’s gas trucks. That means the Cybertruck’s rear needs to be able to support the added weight of whatever it’s towing, and be long enough to make sure the trailer doesn’t sway from the torque.

The next would be sturdy parts. This isn’t that important for most trucks since you can easily swap out parts. Tesla has this thing for making it difficult for users to repair their own vehicles though, so the existing parts need to be able to handle the wear and tear of a big vehicle for a pretty long time.

And lastly,accessories. What’s a pickup truck without the bling?

Tesla’s Cybertruck is scheduled to launch on Nov. 21 at the LA Motor Show, barring any more delays.