Tesla is going to be busy in the following months and years. It is still working on Model 3s to meet all the demand.The company also has a plan for a crossover named Model Y, is bringing their first semi-truck to the market, andlast but not leastis working on the next Roadster. The firm is always busy, which is a good thing. Now, they are also designing a pickup truck. Co-founder and CEO Elon Musk recently wanted feedback from Twitter on the form of the truck, and announceda potential prototype reveal.
“What would you love to see in a Tesla pickup? I have a few things in mind, but what do you think are small but important nuances, and what would be seriously next level?” he asked back in June.
He then confirmed some basic specifications. The model is still unnamed, and will be about the same size as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. It will have a dual-motor all-wheel drive, a ton of torque, and self-leveling suspension. One thing others do not have are 360-degree cameras to make parking easier. Finally, it will have a 240Vpower outlet.
Some Twitter users wanted individual torque control for each wheel, while others said they need physical buttons as touch screens are difficult to use with work gloves. One user wants the amphibious capability.
Musk already mentioned how the core design and the elements of engineering have been in his head for years, and that he wants to build it so bad. He also faces competition, as a Michigan startup Rivian turned headset the 2018 LA Auto Show with a battery-electric pickup R1T. This month, Musk tweeted that the companymay show the prototype next year. This means the truck will not be available at least until 2020.
I’m dying to make a pickup truck so bad … we might have a prototype to unveil next year
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 11, 2018
What is next?
We may also see a second truck from them. They showed a sketch briefly of a giant EV during the semi unveiling in November of 2017. This one would be much bigger than Ford F-150, and carrying an F-150 in the cargo bed. Although sketches tend to be misleading, the model seems to pick up where the International XT left off. Elon Musk described this concept as “a pickup truck that can carry a pickup truck.” He said, “We created a pickup truck version of the Tesla semi. It’s a pickup truck that can carry a pickup truck. By the way, you will actually be able to drive that with a normal driver’s license.” he said in the presentation. Very interesting indeed. We will have to be patient until more details become available.
