In a classic move, Tesla included an Easter egg in a Cybercab video clip. In the video, the Cybercab model was briefly seen being carved out of clay while Tesla discussed Part IV of its Master Plan.
In the background of the video, you can see large models of what appear to be a Cybertruck-based SUV — commonly referred to as the CyberSUV.
Given Tesla’s genuinely secretive nature of their Design Studio, these were clearly placed in the shot for a reason, rather than being carelessly left out. This is the strongest hint we’ve seen to date that Tesla is taking customer feedback for the need for a larger SUV seriously. While the Model Y L is definitely a step in the right direction, it’s still on the smaller side for North America, especially when competing with larger luxury SUVs like the Esclade IQ or the EV9.
CyberSUV in a Nutshell
While the models were only seen in the background, the concept of a CyberSUV is one that has been a topic of speculation since the Cybertruck was first unveiled. The idea is to create a large, comfortable, 7-seater SUV that combines the unique, rugged, and futuristic aesthetic of the Cybertruck with the comfort and practicality of a luxury family hauler.
Such a vehicle would likely share the Cybertruck’s core technological DNA, including its 48-volt architecture, steer-by-wire system, and adaptive air suspension. However, it would trade the tonneau and truck bed for a fully enclosed, three-row interior, creating the ultimate family adventure vehicle.
But Is It Real?
Tesla hasn’t said they’re going to build a Cybertruck-based SUV, but it makes sense that the Cybertruck chassis would be used for something beyond the Cybertruck. The appearance of scale models in the design studio isn’t a sign that Tesla is building this larger SUV, but rather it’s a sign that Tesla has heard from its owners and is considering it.
The design team is constantly exploring new ideas and creating models for concepts that may or may not ever reach production.
However, a teaser like this is often Tesla’s way of gauging public interest and dropping hints about its future roadmap. The fact that the models were so clearly, even if briefly, visible in a major official video suggests that this is something they’re looking into seriously.
A Perfect Fit for the Lineup
While unconfirmed, a CyberSUV makes a tremendous amount of sense for Tesla’s product lineup, especially in North America. It would leverage the Cybertruck platform to create a new vehicle that would compete in the highly profitable large luxury SUV segment.
There is a massive, unfulfilled demand for a large, 7-seater electric family hauler. A CyberSUV would be a direct competitor to vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade iQ or the R1S, offering a combination of a radical design and advanced technology that no other vehicle on the market can match.
Plus, there is space on the assembly line in Giga Texas. The Cybertruck line is designed to build 150,000 vehicles a year, but Tesla is currently only producing around 50,000. Filling the gap with the CyberSUV may be a way to get the line running to most of its capacity, while also fulfilling a demand zone that Tesla hasn’t yet addressed.
For now, this remains a tantalizing glimpse into the Tesla Design Studio. But the appearance of these models is the strongest evidence yet that Tesla is seriously considering a Cybertruck-based SUV, a vehicle that could be its next major hit.
