Cybertruck

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sports Car

Less than a year since its debut, the Tesla Cybertruck remains a controversial thing, mainly because of its radical styling. Elon Musk wasn't kidding when he said prior to the reveal that the all-electric truck will look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Not surprisingly, a majority of traditional truck owners were less than thrilled by the styling, but Tesla has still managed to obtain over 600,000 reservations and counting so far. Turning those reservations into orders is part of the next step.

But there's something critical these anxious customers need to know: the Cybertruck we've seen so far is still a concept and not the final production vehicle.

Elon Musk has just acknowledged on Twitter that the production-spec version will be "reduced in size by around 3 percent" compared to the concept. Its "center line is more level & lower window sill height." Yes, the Cybertruck that's slated to hit the road in late 2021 will look very similar to the concept only with some slightly altered dimensions. The smaller size is probably a good idea considering the current concept truck is a bit too large for most garages.

Tesla currently lists the Cybertruck's length at 231.7 inches, about the same as a Ford F-150 SuperCrew, the largest F-150 variant you can buy. The Model X, to compare, is 198.3 inches. The 3 percent size reduction shouldn't surprise anyone and is probably a good idea, though Musk didn't provide a reason why it's happening.

He also confirmed in a separate tweet there's a new "dynamic air suspension" in development specifically for the Cybertruck, and it's not based on the air suspension found in the Model X or Model S. Why spend the money to develop a new suspension? Because the truck needs to "kick butt at Baja," the legendary off-road endurance race. Meanwhile, Tesla is currently taking bids from US states clamoring for the contract to build a new production plant specifically for the Cybertruck.

Missouri recently offered $1 billion in incentives to build the plant in the city of Joplin, located near the borders of Oklahoma and Kansas. Tesla will likely make a final decision on the matter in the coming months.