Tesla Cybertruck spotted in sleek black - new coverings?

author: FutureCar Staff    

Tesla's highly anticipated Cybertruck is set to hit the road later this month, and a recent sighting revealed the vehicle in a special color - matte black. This is the first time we've seen the Cybertruck in anything other than its basic stainless steel finish.

While we have previously seen the Cybertruck with different wraps, these were mostly camouflage or jokes to mimic other trucks. However, the appearance of these wraps sparked speculation that Tesla might offer wraps as an option when the Cybertruck is released. So far, none of the wraps we've seen have indicated public availability.

Now, a new wrap has been spotted, and it's one that someone might not be embarrassed to drive in. This gives us a glimpse of what the Cybertruck might look like on the road in a color other than silver. The matte black Cybertruck was seen in Santa Monica, driving by a "Teslas & Coffee" event. Videos of the vehicle were shared on social media and a thread on the cybertruckownersclub. The truck was being driven by Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's design chief, who happens to live nearby.

Initially, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the Cybertruck could have any color as long as it was "nothing." He explicitly mentioned that Tesla would not offer wraps, at least initially. However, he pointed out that third-party installers would be available for those interested in getting a wrap.

Now that the Cybertruck is nearing production and deliveries are scheduled for the end of this month, it seems more likely that Tesla may offer wraps. Tesla has recently started installing its own wraps on Model 3 and Model Y, although they come with a hefty price tag of $7,500. These wraps use a more expensive paint protection film (PPF) instead of vinyl film, as it is thicker, offers a longer warranty, and provides better protection for the underlying paint.

Wrapping the Cybertruck should be easier compared to the Model 3 and Model Y due to its minimal curves, simplifying the installation and cutting of the material. However, the Cybertruck is much larger than those vehicles, which means more material will likely be required for the wrap.

Interestingly, the Cybertruck does not have any paint underneath, making it possible that a more expensive colored PPF may not be necessary, and vinyl could suffice. Speculation suggests that these wraps could be available within the next six months at a price range of $8,000 to $12,000, indicating the use of PPF.

It is unclear whether the wrap seen on the Cybertruck in the recent sighting was PPF or vinyl, and it may not be representative of the final production spec. We are also uncertain if Tesla will ultimately offer production wraps, or if this was a one-off occurrence because Franz von Holzhausen liked it.

Nevertheless, this sighting of a wrapped Cybertruck, along with Tesla's recent shift towards installing its own wraps, provides more evidence that wraps may be available as an option. What are your thoughts? Do you think Tesla will offer factory wraps? Did the Cybertruck in the video look better to you? Let us know your preferred wrap color in the comments.

FutureCar Staff