Is the Cyber Truck a Flop?

[ning]

Surprised they put in such a large engine to power the generator.

I was too, but after looking into it -

The 3.6L V6 is typically rated 275-305 HP.
They have it acting as the engine for a 130kW generator; 130kW = ~174hp. Assuming 10% power loss in the electrical generation, to generate 130kW needs about 193hp.

So, why are they using a 275-305HP engine to do a 193hp job?
Because 275-305HP rating is the max for that engine (depending on tune), and those engines are typically only at max output for a relatively short period of time - but the 130kW generator will be running not just occasionally (for extra boost) but for some lengths of time, when the battery needs recharging to some safe level, plus to run the truck itself when the battery is low or needs recharging.

So, they needed an engine that could kick out nearly 200hp for a decent amount of time, and that's not a 200hp peak output engine - that's an otherwise 300hp peak output engine, though this one is likely tuned for reliability and efficiency at the specific RPM range it's going to be used at for this generator job.

Essentially the answer is the same as "why does a 6.7L ps diesel make 475hp/1050lbft in the F350, but only 330/950 in a F550?" and the answer is that the F550's engine is expected on the average to put out more power (ie, higher duty cycle) and it needs to be able to handle that.

 

[ning]

it will suck the paint off all of them other than maybe a Tesla Plaid.

I'm no Tesla fanboy, but I have to admit that your 2014 Focus RS - a very impressive hot hatch - probably won't "suck the paint off" any of them other than the standard range units. The extended range, or dual motor ones will easily walk all over the Focus, and probably require very little skill to do it either, unlike the skill required to max out a turbo car.

My money wouldn't be on you in any of those races, even against the slow Teslas, unless I got to witness your driving first, and even if you're a damn good driver, it would probably be pretty close to even money vs even the more basic T's...

 

[dfkrug]

Every color for Ford Maverick 2025

Nice too see there are some colors available. I like the red, blue, and even the green metallic. I have seen only one in color (blue).

There is another interesting compact hybrid 4x4 PU that is similar to the Maverick, but it is built of unobtanium: the BYD Shark.

Why did it take so long to get a 4x4 PU in the US that could get over 30 MPG? And nothing like my ancient 1600cc 71 Datsun PU.

 

[5030]

I'm no Tesla fanboy, but I have to admit that your 2014 Focus RS - a very impressive hot hatch - probably won't "suck the paint off" any of them other than the standard range units. The extended range, or dual motor ones will easily walk all over the Focus, and probably require very little skill to do it either, unlike the skill required to max out a turbo car.

My money wouldn't be on you in any of those races, even against the slow Teslas, unless I got to witness your driving first, and even if you're a damn good driver, it would probably be pretty close to even money vs even the more basic T's...

Admittedly, at 74 years old, I'm not. I bought it years ago on a impulse and I'm glad I did actually. I drive it like the old fart I am. It has one major drawback and that is, it's a GDI engine so every oil change necessitates an application of Sea Foam top end engine cleaner to keep the intake from carboning up. If I had known about that issue beforehand, I'd never have bought it though they really hold their value in as much as they are no longer made. The engine was built in Germany but the car was built in Wayne, Michigan. Insures like a economy buggy too. Don't have to worry about charging it which is a good deal.

I just modified my leas agreements with my tenants. Added a paragraph to the leases that state if any of them purchase a plug in EV or a hybrid, it cannot be parked in the attached garages and if they want to install a level 2 charging station they have to obtain my express written permission before hand. Got a notice from my insurance carrier that they wouldn't pay if they found out an EV or Hybrid was parked in the attached garages if there was a fire. I covered my butt...

 

[5030]

Yep… the 2001 Corolla was always 40+ on the way home from Tahoe…

I always thought a Corolla was a cigar...

 

[DarkBlack]

What I find interesting today is, you have to purchase a hybrid or a plug in EV to get MPG that isn't dismal. My 14 Focus RS turbo gets 40 mpg if I drive it conservatively with a normal ICE motor. No hybrid junk or fire trap battery required and with over 300 ponies on tap, it will suck the paint off all of them other than maybe a Tesla Plaid.

Seems to be that the automotive industry is going backwards not forwards and the price of ownership has risen to insane levels.

What was the price of your little turbo hot hatchback that you keep bragging and bringing up , and what would it be adjusted for today’s prices?
How’s the rear seating room?
What’s the storage capacity?
Towing capacity?

 

[Yander]

I wouldn't drive a free one.

 

[5030]

First off, I don't give a hoot about backseat room as it's just my wife and me and she usually drives her Suburban LTZ anyway. Being a hatchback it has ample room for 8 bags of groceries which is about what a new short bed pickup truck can accomodate. Paid 15 off lease for it with under 22K miles on it and I see them selling on the net for 20+ currently.

Paid cash for it, like I do for everything. I don't believe in financing unless it's 0 percent.

Paid cash for the Suburban as well. It was a tad more 15 however.

Not for towing though it can be used as a towed vehicle behind an RV.

What was the price of your little turbo hot hatchback that you keep bragging and bringing up , and what would it be adjusted for today’s prices?
How’s the rear seating room?
What’s the storage capacity?
Towing capacity?

I paid 15 off lease for it and currently they are listed used for around 20, if you can find one as they are no longer made. Bought it at a Ford dealer who took it back in when the lease expired. Had 22K on it with the balance of the factory warranty Rummaging in it I discovered it was leased to a gal, probably a younger one. Had the original tires on it and they had a ton of tread.

Not bragging but it was a heck of a deal anyway.

Don't care about rear seat room as it's just my wife and I and she usually drives her Suburban LTZ which she bought off lease as well and paid cash for it. We don't believe in financing anything. I usually keep the back seat folded and cargo capacity is around 8 bags of groceries. Not a tow vehicle in the first place however, it can be towed behind an RV.

Very comfortable. Has Recarro bucket seats in the front and racing harnesses for both seats that I find a PITA.

It was built an Fords Wayne assembly but the engine was built in Germany.

I'm all good with 40mpg combined city and highway.

Of course being a transverse engine front wheel drive, it torque steers a bit if you mash on the pedal, which I rarely do. All I know is, if I romp on it, it will do triple digits on a freeway on ramp and the speedometer goes to 160 mph not that I've ever explored that but I imagine it's capable.

I do get to drive Tesla's as my cousin owns 3 of them. A Plaid, an S and a Cyber Truck and I've motored all of them and I find them quite comfortable and quite capable but I'd never own one nor would I own any EV or hybrid. Think I posted that we went on a late fall Whitetail hunt in North Central Michigan on out remote hunting property only accessible via unplowed seasonal road. 3 of us went and it did admirably on the unplowed seasonal road. Never even spun a wheel and hauled out 3 gutted deer, 2 bucks and one doe in the bed, all our hunting gear and the 3 of us, no issue. Very impressive vehicles, just butt ugly.

 

[ultrarunner]

I always thought a Corolla was a cigar...

Auto Correct strikes again

 

[tradosaurus]

View attachment 32

Kablam!

 

[WoodChuckDad]

There is a lot more to Tesla Corporation than cars and trucks. Cybertruck serves multiple purposes for the company. They are making a profit on cybertruck and it is a giant self funded experiment. Allowing them tonpush the design envelope and create things that no other company has done.
They make money in solar and energy storage both residential and industrial/municipal.

When the robo taxi is released later this year the true potential of the company will be revealed, good or bad. I suspect it will be a huge success.
If they can bring Optimus into production in the next few years, it will change the way future generations live. It will be as revolutionary as the automobile. Maybe not as significant as the lightbulb. But certainly as much as air conditioning.
I expect it will take a decade or two to scale, but it will be a force multiplier that absolutely changes our economy.
There are a handful of companies building autonomous bots but none of them have a fully functioning global production system like Tesla.

 

[jmc]

"If they can bring Optimus into production in the next few years, it will change the way future generations live. It will be as revolutionary as the automobile."

I had to look it up. It's a $30k robot.

Optimus (robot) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[WinterDeere]

I had to look it up. It's a $30k robot.

A heck of a lot cheaper than hiring employees. They also don't require vacation time, can work more than 6-8 hours per day, don't require social security, pension, or health insurance. Perhaps most importantly, they can't legally unionize!

 

[tacticalturnip]

A heck of a lot cheaper than hiring employees. They also don't require vacation time, can work more than 6-8 hours per day, don't require social security, pension, or health insurance. Perhaps most importantly, they can't legally unionize!

Mass unemployment!

 

[ultrarunner]

This has been the promise of automation…

Mass unemployment!

 

[tacticalturnip]

This has been the promise of automation…

People lose purpose; I see it daily, and I know you do too. It's played hell on society, and it's nothing like it will be with the combination of modern robotics and AI.

 

[dfkrug]

Some will have to design, build, sell, and service those robots. Maybe they will be offered in cool matte stainless steel CyberTruck finish.

 

[ultrarunner]

Saw one today in Leprechaun green with fender flairs and after market wheels… someone obviously having fun customizing.

No time to take a picture.

 

[WinterDeere]

Mass unemployment!

Conspiracy theorists and fear mongerers have been crying this claim for at least 50 years now. Fortunately for us, it has never panned out.

Job replacement technologies have historically always increased demand by increasing output and lowering prices, such that net workforce always increases, despite all fears that automation might somehow decrease the need for human workers. It's not as if the introduction of new technology suddenly coincides with the death or rampant desire or consumerism, rather it just enables our consumption to leap to a new level.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Every time technology or automation make it easier to do a task, people say it will eliminate jobs. Sometimes specific jobs or sectors are affected but jobs overall increase. We will have to change the things we train people to do and there are always people who work very hard at being worthless. But new jobs that we never imagined will come up.
Labor makes up 1/3 of our GDP. It is limited by the ability of people to do that labor. As the affordability and and capability increase, jobs that destroy our bodies will begin to be eliminated. It will be a force multiplier. If you want to work, you will be able to.
If you had a home business and you had a bot , you could teach it how to stock or sort or pre load items for the next business day. Take a delivery late in the day and the bot works thru the night doing work that would have taken you an entire day to do. I expect they will be available on subscription basis. Expensive at first but as they scale, they become m ore affordable.
In 1986, when I was in college, I went to one of the only two computer stores in downtown richmond. The entry level ibm clone was $3200 for a desktop. I couldn’t afford that. Most people couldnt. Now you can get a great computer for $800-$1200.
I’m sure I wont like some of the changes. But those changes are definitely coming, even if it takes a couple decades. My grandchildren will grow up in a vastly different world than I did.