Photo: Talor Griffin/Tesla CyberTruck Facebook group
Tesla flew several Cybertruck prototypes to New Zealand for the final winter testing session. A recent picture snapped at the South Hemisphere Proving Grounds shows a trailer with weight plates, prompting speculations about the kind of tests Tesla is doing in the snow.
The first information about Tesla Cybertruck winter testing in New Zealand arrived in June. Back then, some eagle-eyed Kiwis were intrigued to see the bizarrely-shaped pickup unloaded from a cargo plane at the Queenstown airport. The Cybertruck was transported by trailer to the South Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SPHG) in Cardrona. People stalking the facility shared pictures and videos of the Cybertruck and other Tesla models testing on snow and ice.
Recent reports show that at least five Cybertrucks are testing in Cardrona as Tesla prepares for the official delivery day of the electric pickup truck. Although people in New Zealand lost their appetite for spying on the Cybertruck, one guy who went skiing in the area was able to snap an intriguing picture of the truck. Tucked between a camoed Cybertruck and a Project Highland prototype, you can see a trailer with weight plates, which was probably used during the Cybertruck testing.
All towing-capable vehicles are tested with a trailer attached for several reasons. One of the most important is calibrating the electronic stability control systems (ESP/ESC) for trailer-towing scenarios. Modern vehicles can counterbalance the trailer's swaying by individually braking each wheel. This is important because, depending on the weight distribution, the movement can amplify during driving, leading to a crash.
Another reason would be to see how towing a trailer affects the range. In the case of an electric vehicle, this is important because towing takes a significant toll on the battery. Depending on the trailer's weight and shape, this can halve the driving range, leaving an electric vehicle stranded away from any charging stations.
Electric vehicles have also been notoriously unreliable in reporting the real-world range when towing a trailer, often overestimating it. Since the Cybertruck is Tesla's first model specialized in towing, the EV maker needs to carefully calibrate the software in all conditions. Still, considering that the trailer has all the weight plates placed directly on top of the axle and there's no aerodynamic load on it suggests that Tesla is more interested in calibrating the stability control system in low-grip situations on ice and snow.
Tesla plans to start Cybertruck deliveries this fall, with a promised delivery event in the third quarter. Everybody speculates that this means September, and Tesla seems on track to have the Cybertrucks ready for the ceremony. Recent pictures and videos from Giga Texas show that production is picking up speed, although the electric pickup truck is assembled mostly by hand. There are almost two million reservations for the Cybertruck, with an estimated waiting time of over five years.
Recent reports show that at least five Cybertrucks are testing in Cardrona as Tesla prepares for the official delivery day of the electric pickup truck. Although people in New Zealand lost their appetite for spying on the Cybertruck, one guy who went skiing in the area was able to snap an intriguing picture of the truck. Tucked between a camoed Cybertruck and a Project Highland prototype, you can see a trailer with weight plates, which was probably used during the Cybertruck testing.
All towing-capable vehicles are tested with a trailer attached for several reasons. One of the most important is calibrating the electronic stability control systems (ESP/ESC) for trailer-towing scenarios. Modern vehicles can counterbalance the trailer's swaying by individually braking each wheel. This is important because, depending on the weight distribution, the movement can amplify during driving, leading to a crash.
Another reason would be to see how towing a trailer affects the range. In the case of an electric vehicle, this is important because towing takes a significant toll on the battery. Depending on the trailer's weight and shape, this can halve the driving range, leaving an electric vehicle stranded away from any charging stations.
Electric vehicles have also been notoriously unreliable in reporting the real-world range when towing a trailer, often overestimating it. Since the Cybertruck is Tesla's first model specialized in towing, the EV maker needs to carefully calibrate the software in all conditions. Still, considering that the trailer has all the weight plates placed directly on top of the axle and there's no aerodynamic load on it suggests that Tesla is more interested in calibrating the stability control system in low-grip situations on ice and snow.
Tesla plans to start Cybertruck deliveries this fall, with a promised delivery event in the third quarter. Everybody speculates that this means September, and Tesla seems on track to have the Cybertrucks ready for the ceremony. Recent pictures and videos from Giga Texas show that production is picking up speed, although the electric pickup truck is assembled mostly by hand. There are almost two million reservations for the Cybertruck, with an estimated waiting time of over five years.
I think they may be doing some cold-weather tow testing with Cybertruck in New Zealand.
— Greggertruck (@greggertruck) August 6, 2023
Looks like a trailer with weight plates on it circled in blue.. ???? pic.twitter.com/r66okLvIns
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