Photo: @CybertruckNZ via Twitter | collage
Tesla has opened the testing season at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds facility in Cardrona, New Zealand. Two Cybertruck prototypes were caught driving on snow and ice, fine-tuning the traction control and all-wheel-steering system in low-grip conditions.
Tesla flew two Cybertruck prototypes to New Zealand for the winter testing season in the southern hemisphere. The tests take place at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG), a state-of-the-art testing facility on New Zealand's South Island. After arriving in the country last month, the Cybertrucks were spotted earlier this week at the testing facility in Cardrona, together with a dozen other Teslas, including two Project Highland prototypes.
As the Tesla team prepared for testing, security around the facility prevented fans from taking better pictures, let alone videos of the electric trucks. Still, according to the Tesla enthusiast behind the CybertruckNZ Twitter account, there was one camouflaged pickup and one without the camo, but with a "512" number written with blue tape on the side. I don't know the meaning of this number, although this is less important.
The Cybertrucks finally got out to play in the snow on Friday, and the first videos appeared on social media. While the camouflaged prototype was spotted doing traction control and steering tests in the snow, the other was tested inside the ice tunnel. I don't know what was going on under that roof, but the guy behind the wheel (or is it yoke?) of the camouflaged pickup seemed to have the time of his life.
People were intrigued to see the Cybertruck tested that close to the production start. After all, the most critical part of the initial testing was done last winter in Canada. Tesla might use this test session to fine-tune the suspension, traction control, steering, and braking in low-grip situations. The Cybertruck features rear-wheel steering, which needs careful consideration on ice, as it tends to be a lot harder to control due to the extreme yaw movements it generates. This feature was likely not finalized last winter, hence the tests in New Zealand.
In one of the videos CybertruckNZ shared, you can see the rear-wheel steering in action as the test driver "wobbles" the Cybertruck with swift left-right steering movements to see if it remains stable. In another video, the camouflaged Cybertruck tries a recovery maneuver on ice, showing impressive stability again.
The truck recovers from the slide without hesitation, showing that the stability control is doing a brilliant job. Considering the truck's weight and the rear-wheel-steering that could send it spinning if not for the electronics, the Cybertruck handles ice and snow like a nimble sports car.
Whatever the results of this testing session, this is the last step before the Cybertruck gets to the first reservation holders later this year. This doesn't necessarily mean there won't be other test sessions, though. Tesla tends to test its cars in various conditions even years after launch.
As the Tesla team prepared for testing, security around the facility prevented fans from taking better pictures, let alone videos of the electric trucks. Still, according to the Tesla enthusiast behind the CybertruckNZ Twitter account, there was one camouflaged pickup and one without the camo, but with a "512" number written with blue tape on the side. I don't know the meaning of this number, although this is less important.
The Cybertrucks finally got out to play in the snow on Friday, and the first videos appeared on social media. While the camouflaged prototype was spotted doing traction control and steering tests in the snow, the other was tested inside the ice tunnel. I don't know what was going on under that roof, but the guy behind the wheel (or is it yoke?) of the camouflaged pickup seemed to have the time of his life.
People were intrigued to see the Cybertruck tested that close to the production start. After all, the most critical part of the initial testing was done last winter in Canada. Tesla might use this test session to fine-tune the suspension, traction control, steering, and braking in low-grip situations. The Cybertruck features rear-wheel steering, which needs careful consideration on ice, as it tends to be a lot harder to control due to the extreme yaw movements it generates. This feature was likely not finalized last winter, hence the tests in New Zealand.
In one of the videos CybertruckNZ shared, you can see the rear-wheel steering in action as the test driver "wobbles" the Cybertruck with swift left-right steering movements to see if it remains stable. In another video, the camouflaged Cybertruck tries a recovery maneuver on ice, showing impressive stability again.
The truck recovers from the slide without hesitation, showing that the stability control is doing a brilliant job. Considering the truck's weight and the rear-wheel-steering that could send it spinning if not for the electronics, the Cybertruck handles ice and snow like a nimble sports car.
Whatever the results of this testing session, this is the last step before the Cybertruck gets to the first reservation holders later this year. This doesn't necessarily mean there won't be other test sessions, though. Tesla tends to test its cars in various conditions even years after launch.
And afterwards playing on the ice (with a tiny drift session ????) pic.twitter.com/ybOMV5sUVQ
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
The camouflaged CT at SHPG playing in the snow. pic.twitter.com/A3dwtLVltp
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
Big day at SHPG again but worth it. ???? Lots of footage. ???? Here is the silver CT just coming out of the ice tunnel. pic.twitter.com/CwM0q0Ken7
— CybertruckNZ (@CybertruckNZ) July 7, 2023
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