Tesla Cybertruck updates: Will have mirrors, rear-wheel turning and price update?

By Nuno Cristovao

The Cybertruck has an iconic design that's smooth and aerodynamic. It's recently been rumored that the Cybertruck's design stemmed from the need for the vehicle to be very aerodynamic, hence the smooth, large windshield and the tonneau in back. Without the Cybertruck's aerodynamic design, the vehicle would need larger batteries, and would likely be more costly. Price

Tesla Cybertruck to comes with mirrors
Cybertruck mock based on the video below. Credit @TeslaTruckClub/Twitter

The Cybertruck was priced at under $40,000. For that price the Cybertruck certainly brings a lot of value. Although Tesla has just removed pricing for its electric truck from its website. You can still place a reservation for $100, but the price of the vehicle is no longer shown. This could mean that Tesla is rethinking the price of the truck. The truck was initially set to begin production late this year, but has now been pushed to next year.

Mirrors

Tesla had planned for the vehicle to not have any mirrors, which certainly distracts from its design. Tesla knew it was facing an uphill regulatory battle. Elon confirmed on Twitter that the Cybertruck will come with mirrors. At least for now.

Tesla Cybertruck spotted with mirrors and other changes
Cybertruck spotted with mirrors and possibly other changes

Elon goes on to elaborate that although the Cybertruck will come with mirrors from the factory, they are designed to be easily removed by owners.

We'll see how this plays out with local laws for any individuals who decide to remove their mirrors. Although, it likely means that Tesla will be offering a software solution for owners who do decide to remove their Cybertruck's mirrors. We had a sneak-peak into the Cybertruck's UI earlier this year.

Tesla will likely utilize the fender cameras to display video on the screen when a turn signal is initiated.

A Tesla fan found a what appears to be Tesla testing the Cybertruck's turning radius in a parking lot. The Cybertruck appears to have side mirrors in addition to other tweaks such as a windshield wiper and possibly a shorter frunk.

Rear Wheel Steering

Elon confirmed this summer that the Cybertruck will include rear wheel steering. For being a larger vehicle, having rear wheel steering will certainly help maneuver in tight situations, such as parking. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Tesla has something special up their sleeves here. In the same tweet where Elon announced that the Cybertruck will have rear wheel steering, he also said that there are lots of other great things coming, presumably to the Cybertruck.

Delay

The Cybertruck was initially set to go into production in late 2021, but that has since been changed to the end of 2022. There could be various reasons why, but it's likely that the global shortage is likely affecting Tesla production as well. Tesla is selling every car they make and the wait for a new car is months into the future. There's no need for Tesla to rush into producing the Cybertruck only to limit their sales of current vehicles even more.

More Changes Coming?

Tesla has a large team of designers and engineers on their hands. They likely won't start designing the next thing yet, as Tesla won't have the means to produce them. Tesla already has a list of vehicles they're waiting to produce, including the Cybertruck, the Roadster 2 and the Semi.

Tesla Cybertruck size compared to a Model Y
Tesla Cybertruck size compared to a Model Y

Tesla designers and engineers may use this additional time to tweak future vehicles such as the Cybertruck. We may see more additions to the Cybertruck, especially given the new competition Tesla will have with the Rivian R1T.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

By Karan Singh
@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

  • Manhasset, New York

  • West Covina, California

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Houston, Texas

  • Orlando, Florida

  • Westmont, Illinois

  • Tucson, Arizona

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.

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