Tesla Cybertruck Frunk And Bed Secrets Revealed Ahead Of Launch



Via Tesla

New spy photos have surfaced that give us a fresh glimpse into the highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck. The images reveal the front trunk of the all-electric pickup wide open, confirming what we’ve suspected— the CT will have a front trunk that operates similarly to the Ford F-150 Lightning.

The photos were uploaded to the Cybertruck Owners Club forum by user MarkusNZL, and were captured at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG) in New Zealand. Tesla shipped the electric truck there earlier this month, presumably for some rigorous winter testing ahead of its slated launch in the third quarter of this year. With a fresh glimpse into the frunk design, we can’t help but wonder what it means for the overall functionality of Tesla’s groundbreaking pickup truck.

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The Cybertruck's Frunk Will Rival The F-150 Lightning's



Cybertruck Owner's Club Forum

We owe it to the brave photographers that managed to capture spy photos of the Cybertruck at the SHPG before security intervened and even forced some of them to delete their evidence. They unfortunately missed the truck being unloaded from the trailer, but the new images do provide some insight. The prototype, sporting a military-style camo wrap, doesn’t seem like the final market-ready version, as it lacks a plastic shroud to conceal its internal components.

Thankfully, the spy photos do reveal the Cybertruck’s frunk. While it looks to be a sizable opening, the exact dimensions of the front storage compartment remain unknown. Considering the size disparity between the Cybertruck and the Model Y, however, it’s at least reasonable to assume that the frunk will offer more space than the one in Tesla’s electric crossover.

Comparisons are also apt to the F-150 Lightning’s frunk, which opens similarly. The Cybertruck’s hood appears to be wider thanks to its LED light bar and concealed headlights, unlike the F-150 Lightning, which features conventional headlights positioned on the front corners of the truck. The frunk opening of the Cybertruck incorporates the daytime running lights embedded at the top of the “grille.”



Cybertruck Owners Club Forum

Integrating the front “grille” panel into the frunk lid was a clever design choice from Tesla. The integration means that there is less of a pronounced lip to clear when loading things in and out of the frunk. This hopefully means that loading up the frunk will be a breeze, even with heavy items.

While the frunk space does appear to be quite spacious, it’s worth noting that the lid is likely to be quite heavy. This is due to its large size and the stainless steel material that makes up the Cybertruck’s exterior. The frunk will ideally be operated by a power mechanism that includes a push button to make opening and closing effortless.

Many questions remain when it comes to the Cybertruck’s frunk. Will it come with compartments to help organize stored items? Will it have DC power outlets to charge equipment? What other special features can we expect that will enhance its functionality? Unfortunately, we will only have the definitive answers to these questions on the day of the Cybertruck’s official launch. Until then, we’ll have to wait and see what other surprises Tesla has in store for us.

Related: Leaked 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Interior Images Reveal An Underwhelming Simple Cabin

The Redesigned "Vault" Is More Rugged Than Ever



Tesla

The Cybertruck defies convention in many aspects, from its unique shape to its truck bed, which Tesla refers to as the “vault.” The vault measures 6.5 feet in length, providing ample space to transport longer items. What sets the vault apart is its motorized tonneau cover, which ensures that the contents remain secure and protected. The original prototype also incorporated lights that ran alongside the vault, illuminating the area and enhancing visibility for added convenience. This is a feature that will hopefully carry over to the production model.

The Cybertruck has gone through several notable changes since its initial unveiling. One significant change is its reduced size, which means that the electric truck may no longer be able to accommodate six passengers as originally anticipated. The vault seems to have also undergone a redesign. Videos captured at the Electrified Cars & Coffee meet held at the Petersen Automotive Museum offer glimpses into the updated Cybertruck bed, showcasing modifications to its design and functionality.

The vault on the original Cybertruck prototype from late 2019 raised some skepticism among automotive enthusiasts for its design choices. Concerns were expressed regarding the vulnerability of the thin and sleek motorized tonneau cover and its elegant controls, particularly in situations where the vehicle would become dirty or face challenging conditions. The potential for faults in these circumstances left some fans questioning the practicality and durability of the design elements.

Some of those concerns may have been squashed following the Cybertruck’s redesign, as seen at the Petersen Museum. Notably, the tonneau cover of the Cybertruck appears thicker, and the presence of rubber linings in the bed suggests increased resistance to rainwater. Also, the buttons responsible for controlling the motorized tonneau cover as well as the tailgate now appear to be optimized for enhanced durability. These updates reflect Tesla’s commitment to making sure the Cybertruck is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and resilient in various conditions.

Another feature present on the Cybertruck at the Petersen Museum is a slot near the tailgate, hinting that Tesla may add bed outlets in the truck. Although the outlets were not present on the showcased truck, it suggests that Tesla will incorporate more utilitarian features as we move closer to production.

Related: How The Audi Activesphere Concept Takes A Stab At The Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla's Truck Faces Final Winter Testing

Tesla is hopefully taking other steps to make sure the Cybertruck is rugged enough for the worksite. The Cybertruck that arrived in New Zealand earlier this month is a test mule that will undergo the conclusive phases of winter testing at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG). A video of the Cybertruck prototype being unloaded off the plane was shared on the Cybertruck Owners Club forum by user ModelAZ.

The Cybertruck has already undergone some cold weather testing at Tesla’s proving grounds in Alaska. Tesla even shared an image of the pickup truck driving in the snow back in May. With features like its quad-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, air suspension, and rear-wheel steering, the Cybertruck is expected to excel on roads covered in snow and ice. These design elements should also carry over to taking on the challenging, muddy conditions often seen on work sites.

Tesla appears to finally be making good on its promises regarding the Cybertruck, despite facing multiple delays resulting from semiconductor shortages. There have been several prototype sightings in recent months, indicating significant progress in its development. The increased pace of activity from the Austin Gigafactory is also promising. With production anticipated to commence later this year, it seems that Tesla is working diligently to bring the highly anticipated Cybertruck to market. As we get closer to its official release, we will hopefully get new glimpses into the Cybertruck’s features and how it will compare to its competitors like the Rivian R1T and Hummer EV.