Tesla Cybertruck updated: New off-road aids to help it in the rough stuff

May 3, 2024May 2, 2024 John Mahoney 10380 Views Cybertruck, Tesla, ute

Just a couple of months after it was introduced and the 2024 Telsa Cyberturck has been upgraded with new off-road modes to provide a lending hand when the going gets rough.

From now on, according to the US car and ute-maker Tesla owners will be able to select one of two modes depending on where they are.

The first is dubbed overland and is said to pre-arm the Cybertruck dual -motor all-wheel drive for rocky terrain, slippery gravel, deep snow or treacherous sandy conditions.

The second is a Baja mode that is for those who want to drive fast off-road. Re-configuring the stability control, the Cybertruck is supposed to be now better balanced when driven quickly, suggesting it allows some sideways action.

Select either of the new modes and the Cybertruck’s standard exterior cameras are active to help you spot obstacles that are hidden from behind the wheel.

There’s also a new Wade mode to help you traverse deep standing water, or rivers but it’s not known how the new feature actually works yet, so stay tuned.

Helping enhance its capability in the dirt all Cybertrucks with dual-motors (the firm hasn’t launched the ‘cheap’ rear-drive one yet) is a new ability to virtually lock the front or rear differential using the braking system.

In the flagship tri-motor CyberBeast version you get a proper mechanical front-locking differential, plus a rear virtual one to claw you out of a slippery situation.

Other new tech includes Trail Assist that is a cruise control for off-roading that incorporates both hill descent and ascent and takes control of both the throttle and braking in a sticky situation when the driver is struggling.

A Slippery Surface function, meanwhile, has been produced to maximise traction on snowy, icy, or wet roads.

If that’s not enough to improve the odd-looking trucks usefulness, Tesla has also introduced a new software for the adaptive suspension that can now estimate payload more accurately, automatically adjusting the damping to improve ride and body control.

For those who like to camp and fancy the optional $US3000 ($A4600) roof-mounted CyberTent, there’s a new mode that levels the body over uneven terrain for a flat surface to sleep on.

It’s still not known if the Cybertruck will actually ever make it on sale Down Under as it’s already been ruled out for Europe, but a left-hand drive Tesla ute is currently touring NSW fuelling speculation Tesla might be considering investing the capital required to adapt it to right-hand drive and meet our local ADRs.