Elon: "I was just reviewing the production beta Cybertruck. It is incredible."

[cvalue13]

That's a super weird looking angle, makes the truck look crazy long

The CT’s roofline apex is about where a super cab F150’s windshield meets the cab. That makes for a long line from the apex all the way back to the tail end.

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[JBee]

The CT’s roofline apex is about where a super cab F150’s windshield meets the cab. That makes for a long line from the apex all the way back to the tail end.

This picture really highlights the new "bumper bulge" hanging underneath the bed.

I really think this is to enlarge the underbed storage area so that a spare wheel will fit into it, which it didn't before. I expect the spare to be optional (optional accessory) but the space to place a spare would otherwise be available for other storage needs if one wasn't required.

I posted this a few years ago, but the large 35" tyres actually don't have much space behind the rear motor and the rear bumper, because of the long CT wheelbase and short rear overhang.

You can see this in the reflection in this CAD render I did in 2019 where I was investigating the spare wheel options.:

 

[RVAC]

Primary purpose of that bulge is aero as it reduces drag. That bulge wouldn't be necessary to fit a spare tire, look at the rear of an F-150 Lightning.

 

[Crissa]

What kind of glass conducts heat better than stainless steel?

-Crissa

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

I think those are just normal seating surfaces with the seat backs tilted back a bit. The effect that made you think they were lay-flat seats is simply rectilinear distortion from an ultra-wide lens.

Something 'Fisheye' goin' on!

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

This is in the ballpark.

My big concern with the vault is climate control. Doing temperature control on just the cabin is a lot easier than cabin + vault.

Wonder if the rear window 'slot' opens?
Hmmm.....

 

[TyPope]

So to be clear glass is a better thermal "conductivity" insulator than stainless or aluminium, but is mostly IR transparent, meaning heat can radiate out through the glass from anything that is warm inside. There are three forms of heat transfer, convection (air flow etc), conduction (material transfer) and radiation. All three forms need to be addressed for proper insulation.

So in the case of the stainless and aluminium they will block or reflect heat radiation, depending on their surface preparation, with smoother and shinier surface being more reflective of light and lower frequency heat radiation. The glass will let the heat through unless it has a filter like low e glass in households, but even then it will have residual emissivity that can and should be blocked with a shiny foil backed insulated window cover, to stop heat radiadiating out from black surfaces inside the CT. Especially on the CT where about 40% of the exposed area is glass. And another reason for a light interior colour.

Thermal conductivity of glass is actually pretty good in general compared to metals. Glass is 1, Stainless 14 but Aluminium is 237. That will essentially get the heat through the CT skin, where convection of air on the outside will either add or remove heat to the interface layer on the outside of the vehicle. The amount of heat exchanged at the surface depends on the mass flow (wind) and temperature difference to the inside.

Air (which is mostly nitrogen) is a good insulator (0.02) so even just trapping air against the glass helps reduce conductivity. Rockwool insulation mats work on the same principle in that stopping microcirculation of air through a otherwise hollow mesh of material, also means that heat convection is minimised. So the thermal conductivity of the air in the spaces is actually creating the insulation properties, not the insulation matt material itself. It's just used as a container to hold the air still, to stop convection. This is also why you will see mats with a reflective layer for blocking radiation.

So the ideal insulator is actually aerogel (lighter than air solid with microbubbles of air), AI it offers the best thermal resistance for its thickness. It's also used for catching micro asteroids without destroying them.

I've often also wondered if Tesla will integrate heat recovery ventilation to reduce HVAC consumption and improve air quality.

I would argue a vacuum (absense of air, not a Dyson) is the best insulator... LOL

 

[JBee]

I would argue a vacuum (absense of air, not a Dyson) is the best insulator... LOL

I didn't mean to imply that air was the best, just that in the context of keeping the CT cabin cool or warm to reduce HVAC load, it's the most cost effective and practical way to reduce heat flow. Making a vacuum though would really suck the "whole atmosphere" out of the CT cabin. ?

 

[RonGonRetired]

Have you checked out pricing on gasoline powered crew cab 2023 F-150's if you don't want to get a low-tech, plain jane two-wheel drive without tow packages, or powerful motors?

Dang! Most of the nicer ones are in the mid $70's and you get a crappy, gas guzzling, top-heavy, fragile painted truck with styling from horrorsville.

Replacement cost for my 2016 High country: Prices for a new 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD High Country currently range from $71,495 to $91,015.

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