T
esla is shattering the three-box
paradigm and creating a
simplistic double-sided doorstop
formed entirely of planes, creases,
and angles. The body material and
construction method are also radically
rethought, replacing the traditional thin-
sheathed endoskeleton of steel beams for
a partially exoskeletal unibody armored
with 3mm-thick unpainted 301 stainless
steel—the same material that sheathes
the Cybertruck’s corporate cousin, the
Mars-bound SpaceX Starship.
The simplistic flat body panels are
claimed to be bulletproof to 9mm
handgun rounds and eliminate the
investment, energy, and environmental
costs of a stamping plant and paint shop.
The Tesla truck’s innovation doesn’t
stop there, of course. To reduce aero
drag, a roll-top-desk-style tonneau
cover smooths airflow from the roof peak
to the tailgate, stowing in a compart-
ment below the bed when loading or
transporting tall items (with 360-degree
cameras compensating for the lost rear
visibility). Ramps deploy from the tailgate,
and with the air suspension lowered in
back and raised in front, motorcycles and
quad-runners can drive right in. Inno-
vations borrowed from existing trucks
include a Honda Ridgeline–inspiredtrunk in the bed floor and RamBox-like
stowage in the sail panels flanking the
bed. Naturally, there is also a frunk.
Three drivetrains are envisioned. A
single rear motor, probably shared with
Models S and X, is good for an estimated
310 hp and 503 lb-ft. That motor plus
a Model 3 Performance rear motor in
front should combine to produce 690 hp
and 824 lb-ft. And perhaps a year after
launch, Tesla’s new Plaid powertrain is
expected, combining a permanent-
magnet front motor with two rear induc-
tion motors combining to produce 800
hp and 1,000 lb-ft total. Each will drive
through a single-ratio gearset. Three
battery capacities are anticipated, but
specifics are not yet available. And a
long-travel version of Tesla’s air suspen-
sion should deliver Ford Raptor–like
desert-running capability.
We’re told to expect the rear-motor,
small-battery (75-kW-hr?) $39,900 version
to deliver 6.5-second 0–60 performance,
a 110-mph top speed, 250 miles of range,
and a 7,500-pound towing capacity.
Those metrics for the $49,900 dual-motor
midsize battery truck should be 4.5
seconds, 120 mph, 300 miles, and 10,000
pounds; the three-motor (200-kW-
hr?) $69,900 model should manage 2.9
seconds, 130 mph, 500 miles, and 14,000
pounds. Payload for all is 3,500 pounds.
Like all things Tesla, expect details to
evolve, including the anticipated launch
date in late 2021. QTesla Cybertruck
Late 2021
Price $ 39,9 0 0 –$ 69,9 0 0
(before applicable tax credits)
Powertrain Layout Rear, front/rear, or
1 front/2 rear inboard motors; 310–800
hp*/503–1,000 lb-ft* comb; 1-speed auto
gearbox(es); 75–200-kW-hr* battery pack
Configuration 4-door/6-pass/6. 5 -f t b e d
L x W x H; Wheelbase
230.9 x 79.8 x 75.0 in*; 149.9 in*
Performance 0–60: 2.9–6.5 sec*,
250–500-mile EPA range*
Towing/Payload Capacity
7,500–14,000/3,500 lb*
Unique Selling Propositions
Design, bulletproof bodywork, ramp for
loading cargo *estimatedVAPORWARE?
Atlis XT, Karma EREV
If the previous all seem too wimpy, Atlis
Motor Vehicles claims to be readying
a heavy-duty electric pickup for 2020
available in regular bed, flat-bed,
service body, and dually configurations
with towing capacities ranging from
6, 000 to 35, 000 pounds and payloads
spanning 1, 000 to 5, 000 pounds. Special
nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries
sized 1 2 5 kW-hr and up reportedly
recharge lickety-split (15 minutes!),
top speed is 120 mph, and 0 –6 0 takes
between 5. 0 and 18. 0 seconds (unladen
and with max payload). The Atlis website
is taking orders from cockeyed optimists.
Want your e-pickup to have a range
extender like the defunct Workhorse
W-15? Then hold your breath for the
Karma EREV, which might even use the
same small BMW three-banger range
extender as the original W-15. Very little
is known about this product, which was
mentioned at a press event preceding
the L.A. show in November.Atlis XTKarma EREV66 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020ROUNDUP I Electric Pickups