Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, has given the strongest confirmation yet that Tesla is actively considering an expansion of the Cybertruck family of vehicles. The Cybertruck is its own platform, featuring special functionality and numerous lessons learned from integrating 48V low-voltage and 800V high-voltage technology.
In a new interview on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit podcast, Franz responded to questions about a potential CyberSUV, or even a smaller variant of the apocalyptic stainless-steel Cybertruck, providing us with a little hint at Tesla’s future plans.
“Those are definitely things we’ve considered. Wait and see is probably the best way I can answer that. We’re working on so many innovative and fun things.”
While stopping short of an official announcement, this is the first time that one of Tesla’s top executives has publicly acknowledged that a vehicle lineup based on the Cybertruck platform is a real possibility.
The Original Tease
Speculation about a Cybertruck-based SUV isn’t new. The initial frenzy was sparked by a previous Tesla video that offered a rare glimpse inside the secretive Design Studio. An eagle-eyed fan spotted a Cybertruck-inspired SUV on the shelves behind the Cybercab clay model.
The CyberSUV appeared to be a more family-focused vehicle, perhaps Tesla’s first competitor in the large SUV market with three rows of seating, but all the same technological innovations and design language that make the Cybertruck so unique.
That little easter egg has fueled conversations and countless fan renderings, but Franz’s new comments are the first official acknowledgement that these ideas are more than just simple concept mock-ups sitting on a shelf.
A Futuristic CyberFamily
Expanding the Cybertruck platform into a full family of vehicles is a logical next step for Tesla, for several key reasons. The Cybertruck itself has achieved a level of brand recognition and cultural impact (positive and negative) that only a few vehicles will ever achieve. Leveraging its unique and polarizing design, along with the advanced technologies like the stainless-steel exterior, 48-volt and 800-volt architectures, steer-by-wire, and rear steering, will help maximize Tesla’s return on the massive R&D project that is the Cybertruck.
The market potential is enormous. A large CyberSUV would allow Tesla to compete in the highly profitable and popular segment of rugged, capable, and spacious three-row luxury SUVs. It would be a direct competitor to standouts in the category, such as the Rivian R1S and Lucid Gravity, and offer a radical alternative to traditional offerings from legacy automakers.
Alternatively, a smaller Cybertruck would target an entirely different, but equally lucrative market. The demand for compact, more affordable pickups has exploded in recent years, and a smaller, more accessible Cybertruck could be a hugely disruptive force in that segment, especially if they manage to get to a lower price point.
For now, as Franz says, the official answer is wait and see. But his confirmation that Tesla is actively considering these concepts is the first indication that we might see more Cyber-inspired products in the future.
You can listen to the entire podcast below.
