Tesla Cybertruck Orders Show Tri-Motor Cyberbeast is Way More Popular Than Cybertruck AWD, Delivery Dates Diverge by 9 Months

It’s been more than two weeks since Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck to customers. Throughout these past 14 days, we’ve learned a lot about the truck.

The basic breakdown when Tesla revealed the final specs of the Cybertruck included two versions that would go on sale immediately. These are the dual-motor Cybertruck All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) and the tri-motor Cybertruck “Cyberbeast.”

Tesla’s Head of Vehicle Engineering Confirms the EV maker is Working on a 500-mile Range Cybertruck, Explains Why Tesla Can’t Offer it Yet @Tesla @elonmusk #Tesla https://t.co/UWBv1Bji76
— Torque News (@torquenewsauto) December 12, 2023

If you are wondering, yes, “Cyberbeast” is what Tesla has decided to officially call the tri-motor highest-end version of the Cybertruck. Tesla even uses the Cyberbeast name in official regulatory filings including the EPA’s range estimates.

Related News: The Tesla Cybertruck’s Paintless Ultra-Tough Stainless Steel Exterior is Already Resulting in Much Lower Insurance Premiums

Currently, Tesla is making a limited-run “Foundation Series” variants of both the Cyberbeast and Cybertruck AWD. Foundation Series Cybertrucks include a laser-etched Cyberbeast insignia and other unique features.

During the November 30 Delivery event, all the Cybertrucks handed over to customers were white interior Cybertruck Cyberbeasts and Tesla said that going forward deliveries for both variants will commence early 2024.

Unlike other Tesla vehicles, you can not just log in to Tesla.com and order a Cybertruck. To configure a Cybertruck, you need a special message from Tesla either in your account or through email that will direct you to a Cybertruck configurator page.

Currently, what’s estimated to be thousands of people have received an email from Tesla giving them access to the Cybertruck order page.

This is exciting, however, as the Cybertruck orders have started to flow in, a strange phenomenon has started to emerge. As I’ve mentioned already, at the start both Cybertruck variants had an estimated delivery date of early 2024.

The Tesla Cybertruck’s Paintless Ultra-Tough Stainless Steel Exterior is Already Resulting in Much Lower Insurance Premiums. @Tesla @elonmusk#Teslahttps://t.co/pmYY311iJx
— Torque News (@torquenewsauto) December 14, 2023

However, now, the delivery dates between the Cyberbeast and Cybertruck AWD have started to significantly diverge. New Foundation Series Cybertruck AWD orders still maintain a delivery date between January and March 2024.

However, delivery dates for the Cyberbeast have been slipping back and Tesla now says new Cyberbeast orders will not be delivered until mid-2024 and late 2024.

This puts about a 9-month difference between the delivery dates of the two Foundation Series Cybertrucks currently in production.

What’s surprising is that when Tesla revealed the final specs of the Cybertruck, there were a lot of complaints about the tri-motor version. Back in 2019, Tesla said the top-of-the-line Cybertruck would have a 500-mile range and would cost $69,900.

However, the final Cyberbeast only has a 320-mile range and a $100,000 starting price. The fully loaded Foundation series variant bumps that number up to $120,000. Given these numbers, there was a lot of chatter online from people saying they’ll cancel their tri-motor Cybertruck reservations.

Now though, after the dust has settled, it appears the Cyberbeast is more popular than ever. What’s interesting here is that Tesla rather than the price, which will surely come down as production ramps up, on almost all other specs has over-delivered in the dual-motor Cybertruck AWD.

During the original unveiling, Tesla said the dual-motor Cybertruck would have a 300-mile range and 4.5 seconds 0 to 60 times. However, the final specs came in at 340-mile range and a 4.1 seconds 0 to 60 time.

Here’s why I DON’T think this means Tesla is having Cybertruck production problems.

• About 75 people showed me they bought Foundation Cyberbeasts. They were all originally given an early 2024 delivery date. Not a single one of them has DM’d me saying Tesla is delaying their… https://t.co/WFfdXvcXkl
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 16, 2023

On paper, this makes the Cybertruck AWD, which costs $80,000 a better buy than the Cyberbeast. It’s important to note that the Foundation Series Cybertruck AWD currently being sold costs $100,000, however, it also comes fully loaded including the $12,000 FSD package.

Despite Tesla underpromising and overdelivering with the Cybertruck AWD and doing the opposite with the Cyberbeast, demand for the Cyberbeast appears to be significantly higher than the dual-motor Cybertruck.

Currently, it’s not exactly clear what Tesla plans to balance out the demand between the two variants. However, we’ll be sure to keep you posted if there are price or spec changes. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Surprised to learn demand for the Cyberbeast is significantly outpacing that of the Cybertruck AWD? Which one do you think is the better value for money? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla. inc.

For more information check out: Tesla’s Head of Vehicle Engineering Confirms the EV Maker is Working on a 500-mile Range Cybertruck, Explains Why Tesla Can’t Offer it Yet

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.