Analyzing Tesla Cybertruck's Suspension Setup

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【Summary】Sandy Munro analyzes the suspension setup of the Tesla Cybertruck prototype. The front suspension features aluminum lower control arms for safety in crashes, while the back suspension uses regular steel. The presence of a carbon fiber shield and a steel undercarriage is also noted. The air suspension is similar to those used by other brands. The setup is considered conventional overall, but there are hints of Tesla's unique gigacasting techniques.

FutureCar Staff Aug 18, 2023 4:54 PM PT

Analyzing Tesla Cybertruck's Suspension Setup

A few days ago, a Tesla Cybertruck prototype was found abandoned on the side of the road. A passerby took some pictures of the suspension components and sent them to Electrek, who published the images. Vehicle teardown expert Sandy Munro then made a video analyzing the suspension setup of the all-electric pickup truck.

In the video, Munro explains that the Cybertruck has an independent front suspension with aluminum front lower control arms and an air suspension strut. The use of aluminum in the front is interesting because in the event of a crash, aluminum cracks, allowing the wheels to detach. On the other hand, steel bends and keeps the wheel in place, which can lead to impact forces being transferred into the cabin.

Another interesting feature is the presence of a carbon fiber shield underneath the front part of the battery pack, along with a steel undercarriage. Munro and the other teardown expert speculate that this could be a cost-effective solution compared to a regular steel or aluminum tray, especially if the production volume is high.

At the back of the Cybertruck, there is also an independent suspension setup with air struts, but this time the lower control arms are made of regular steel. There is a ball joint in the wheel hub area, confirming that the Cybertruck has rear-wheel steering capabilities.

Munro explains that the steel suspension arm used in this setup is a perfect application as it is lightweight, cheap, and easy to manufacture. The air suspension strut has the Tesla logo on it and a metal shield to protect the airbag underneath. However, Munro notes that it looks very similar to air struts used in vehicles made by other brands.

The presenters conclude that the Cybertruck prototype they analyzed has some unique components that are not off-the-shelf parts. They also notice some missing bolts and lack of protection for the high-voltage cables. Overall, they describe the suspension setup as conventional with no groundbreaking features, except for some visible clues about Tesla's gigacasting techniques.

The Tesla Cybertruck is expected to debut in the next quarter, possibly in September, with release-candidate (RC) units already being built at the company's Texas Gigafactory.

After watching the video, readers are invited to share their thoughts in the comments section.