Photo: cvalue13 via Cybertruck Owners Club
Heated debates erupted about the Tesla Cybertruck's frunk in the past months. Some criticized the size of the front storage compartment, while others were put off by the apparent lack of power assistance. Recent videos show that the Cybertruck has indeed a power frunk, so at least this mystery is solved.
When Tesla announced the Cybertruck, it was supposed to be the first electric pickup in the North American market. This, in itself, was enough to make the Cybertruck as groundbreaking as its design. However, since Elon Musk couldn't decide about many Cybertruck features and later was terrified about a possible market crash, the Cybertruck development lost precious time. Now, it's no longer the first on the market, so it will have to compete with the incumbents such as Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and, soon, Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV.
These are now the segment's benchmarks against the Cybertruck will be judged when it arrives. That's why people scoffed at the Cybertruck's frunk size, as it appears much smaller than the Ford F-150 Lightning. Not only was the size under scrutiny, but also the fact that the frunk seemed not to be electrically powered. A lot of ink has been spilled about this oversight, which would've been a monumental mistake if it were true. Thankfully, the Tesla Cybertruck appears to have a powered frunk, as revealed in recent videos shared on social media.
The problem is still not solved once and for all, as all the videos showing the frunk opening or closing also include an operator with the hands on the frunk. This detail has puzzled many Tesla fans, and we're still trying to find an explanation for it. In some videos, the operator is visibly struggling to push the hood up or down, while in others, they appear to use their hands to guide the frunk as it closes, seemingly on its own power. Both gestures indicate a mechanical system (powered) to open and close the frunk.
Indeed, a geared motor, like the one employed in a powered trunk/frunk, opposes resistance when the hood is manually pushed. This usually happens when the owner tries to calibrate the hood, setting the opening height. There's another explanation, as the motor will oppose resistance when it's not powered. Still, in the video below (toward the end), you can see the frunk closing on its own power, although the operator still keeps its hand on the hood.
Common sense tells us that the Tesla Cybertruck needs a power frunk. With that oversized hood made out of stainless steel, it's likely that opening and closing it will not be easy without some sort of assistance. Considering that Tesla still needs to compete for customers with Ford, Rivian, and GM, I doubt it will launch the Cybertruck without a powered frunk.
These are now the segment's benchmarks against the Cybertruck will be judged when it arrives. That's why people scoffed at the Cybertruck's frunk size, as it appears much smaller than the Ford F-150 Lightning. Not only was the size under scrutiny, but also the fact that the frunk seemed not to be electrically powered. A lot of ink has been spilled about this oversight, which would've been a monumental mistake if it were true. Thankfully, the Tesla Cybertruck appears to have a powered frunk, as revealed in recent videos shared on social media.
The problem is still not solved once and for all, as all the videos showing the frunk opening or closing also include an operator with the hands on the frunk. This detail has puzzled many Tesla fans, and we're still trying to find an explanation for it. In some videos, the operator is visibly struggling to push the hood up or down, while in others, they appear to use their hands to guide the frunk as it closes, seemingly on its own power. Both gestures indicate a mechanical system (powered) to open and close the frunk.
Indeed, a geared motor, like the one employed in a powered trunk/frunk, opposes resistance when the hood is manually pushed. This usually happens when the owner tries to calibrate the hood, setting the opening height. There's another explanation, as the motor will oppose resistance when it's not powered. Still, in the video below (toward the end), you can see the frunk closing on its own power, although the operator still keeps its hand on the hood.
Common sense tells us that the Tesla Cybertruck needs a power frunk. With that oversized hood made out of stainless steel, it's likely that opening and closing it will not be easy without some sort of assistance. Considering that Tesla still needs to compete for customers with Ford, Rivian, and GM, I doubt it will launch the Cybertruck without a powered frunk.
CONIFRMED: Cybertruck frunk is powered.
— WattsYourRide (@wattsyourride) September 10, 2023
The video shows an unpowered truck having its hood raised/lowered against resistance of the geared motor. If you’re familiar with this, it’ll be obvious. The video is for those who have to see for themselves (and, apparently, who have… pic.twitter.com/vIaHIXpzF0
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