It has been almost four years since the Tesla Cybertruck was presented to the world and while customer deliveries have still yet to commence, development of it is ramping up and a prototype is being put through its paces in the wintry conditions of New Zealand.
The prototype in question is bathed in camouflage but there’s absolutely no way to confuse the Cybertruck with any other forthcoming EV. This prototype was recently filmed at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds close to Queenstown in the country’s South Island.
A handful of videos shared to Twitter show the Cybertruck being driven on a snow-covered road. One of the clips also shows the engineer behind the wheel testing out the four-wheel steering system and gently sliding the truck back and forth in the slippery conditions.
Watch: Tesla Cybertruck Shows Off Rear-Wheel Steering And More In Latest Spotting
Tesla can also be seen testing out the Cybertruck on a large area of ice. As soon as it hits the ice, it begins to slide but the driver is able to quickly keep it under control. Some pundits online have suggested that Tesla could be testing how the car’s autonomous driving systems react to being driven on snow and ice but it’s unclear if that is actually the case.
Elon Musk says that production of the Cybertruck will commence this year before ramping up throughout 2024. Interestingly, no updated specifications about the truck have been released since its original debut in concept guise back in late 2019. If no changes have been made, we can expect the range to kick off with a single-motor RWD version while those seeking additional performance and range will be offered dual-motor, tri-motor, and quad-motor AWD versions. The flagship version could have upwards of 620 miles (1,000 km) of range.