It’s been four years since Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the EV maker’s most polarizing vehicle to date, the so-called Cybertruck. All we’ve seen thus far is the stainless steel-bodied prototype that takes the traditional two-box pickup design to the realm of science fiction with its abrupt angles and wedge-shaped design, not to mention its impenetrable exoskeleton and bulletproof glass.
Tesla reportedly received 250,000 pre-bookings received within a week of its reveal, though has said little about it since, other to note its ongoing production delays. Love or hate its eccentric styling, the company says it’s finally on track to begin deliveries to customers, with a launch event scheduled for November 30 at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas.
And while relatively little in the way of final details is still yet known about the full-production Cybertruck, your kids can already take the wheel of Tesla’s latest model via a just-released and updated model of the downsized kids’ version developed in conjunction with the iconic red wagon maker Radio Flyer.
Officially called the Cyberquad for Kids by Radio Flyer Model 915, the limited-edition ride-on car is an updated version of the Model 914 that the company says sold out within minutes when it debuted in December 2021.
The ride-on Tesla is built on a rigid steel frame, with high-pressure tires and a 500-watt electric motor that’s good for a top speed of 10 miles per hour. Radio Flyer says its Flight Speed lithium-ion battery technology affords a longer operating range, better performance, quicker charging and a lower impact on the environment than comparable kiddie vehicles.
The electric ride-on comes with a padded seat for comfort, variable speed throttle in both forward and reverse and LED headlights and taillights just like the full size Cybertruck upon which it’s based.
And before anyone asks, no, the scaled-down Cybertruck will not include a rudimentary version of the company’s controversial Autopilot autonomous driving system.
Updates for the latest iteration, by the way, are relatively minor, and are made for added safety. The rear spring has been replaced by a steel tube with rubber-coated metal inserts that secures the rear frame to the main frame, there’s a bumped-up age grade to 9-12 years old and warning labels are now affixed to the front left fender regarding tire inflation and the fact that it’s neither an ATV nor suited for off-road use. However, most suburban communities will likely allow teeny Tesla drivers to use the carpool lane on cul-de-sac sidewalks without fear of reproach.
The Cyberquad for Kids by Radio Flyer Model 915 is now available for purchase exclusively via the Tesla Shop for the tidy sum of $1,900, which is considerably less than the expected upward of $50,000 the real thing will likely command.
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
