Foundation Series Cybertruck -- Clarified

[cvalue13]

Here ya go now - I don’t think I’ve seen this discussed pointedly on the forum!

Tesla Starts Delivering First 1000 “Foundation Series” Cybertrucks – 3-Headed Cyberbeast Insignia & More Hidden Details
Tesla has launched the first 1000 “Foundation Series” Cybertrucks at the delivery event. The trucks are inspired by the Foundation Series books and contain special 3-headed Cyberbeast badging and Elon Musk’s civilization collapse warnings.

“The barrage of all the new Cybertruck information yesterday, although exciting, has also meant that some of the finer details of the new truck have been lost amidst the confusion.​

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One such feature is details regarding the “Foundation Series” Cybertrucks that Tesla delivered at the event. Usually, when a car company starts production of a brand new vehicle, it is customary to offer “Founder’s Series” or “Founder’s Edition” vehicles with a small difference that congratulates the first individuals to buy a certain product.​

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In the past, Tesla has offered the first 1000 customers of a new product a special paint option or special badging that acknowledges people for being the first to believe in the product.​

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For the Cybertruck, Tesla appears to have continued with this trend but with a bit of a twist. The first 1000 Cybertrucks rather than being “Founder’s Series” vehicles, are “Foundation Series” vehicles.​

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The Foundation series is a science fiction book series written by prolific sci-fi author Isaac Asimov and happens to be one of Elon Musk’s favorite books.​

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The Foundation Series books tell the story of an advanced galactic empire that is on the brink of collapse and one man’s attempt to mitigate the eventual calamity.​

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Now that you understand the story behind the “Foundation Series” Cybertrucks and the reason for their existence, what hidden features did Tesla give the vehicle?​

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As of now, we’ve been able to find 2 distinct Foundation Series insignias that have been spotted on the Cybertrucks handed over to the first owners.​

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At the right lower part of the Cybertruck’s tailgate, Tesla has added an image of a 3 headed beast. This is in reference to the Cybertruck’s performance mode called “Beast Mode.” ​

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There was Insane, Ludicrous, Plaid, and now Beast Mode. Tesla is looking to differentiate the performance Cybertruck from the rest of the lineup – the All-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive Cybertrucks – that the EV maker has given the performance variant a completely different name.​

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The performance variant of the Cybertruck rather than being called “Cybertruck Performance” or “Cybertruck Plaid” like the rest of Tesla’s lineup, now, the performance variant of the Cybertruck is called “Cyberbeast” and if you are one of the first 1000 lucky individuals to buy the Cyberbeast, you get a special insignia of a three-headed beast at the bottom of your tailgate.​

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The second Foundation Series badging is the words “Foundation Series” written in a blocky futuristic font in the middle-top part of the tailgate and on the body panel between the front wheels and driver's door.​

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What is interesting about this is that on the Cybertruck, Tesla has decided to not put a single Tesla logo on the vehicle. This means that for anyone who happens to not be familiar with the fact that Tesla produces the Cybertruck, the vehicle would appear as though it was produced by “Foundation series”​

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This is a surprising marketing decision on Tesla’s part, however, given the fact that the Cybertruck has such a unique design, Tesla's decision to not put the company’s logo anywhere in or on the vehicle can be understandable.​

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Currently, these are all the details we know about the Foundation Series Tesla Cybertruck. However, we’ll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more about the all-electric truck. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.”​

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[cvalue13]

SOME NOTES:

• the article above appears to assume, incorrectly, that all Foundation series will be tri-motor “Cyberbeasts” with the three-headed logo on the tailgate. Few will be tri motor.

• the article fails to mention or conjecture around what the MSRP is for the Foundation series (it won’t be what is otherwise listed on the website, it’ll be materially higher)

• the inference here is there are ~970 more Foundation trucks (subtracting delivery event) to be built and sold before Tesla turns to building normal production retail units

•

close.

still have to build those delivery event units

and I’m increasingly less sure the completely normal “retail” units will get delivered at all in 2024…

• @Bkb13 13

But not all of the first delivered cars, which are special edition ‘Founders’ builds, were tri motors.

And nor does the trim blend of these first delivered Founders units say anything about the intended blend of the normal retail production models.

•

That white trim = tri motor for retail units is not 'debunked' - it's how it goes (unless Musk/Tesla change their mind between now and when retail units begin delivery, which is still months away)


An entirely separate matter is whether (A) the showroom units, or (B) the delivery event units, or (C) any 'founders'-edition units after delivery, have special/unique trim/features that wont be found or available on retail units.

• @ir6ub9 @anionic1

i'm just pointing out that people incorrectly confuse these showroom unit configurations (or the delivery/founders configuations) with what us plebians will be able to option/order

that said, I've always said from the start: that while the retail tri motors are the only ones currently planned to give available white interiors, that is obviously a constraint that can still change based only on an internal marketing decision (unlike, say, a last minute addition of a midgate)

• @CHC

And, we shouldn’t be surprised if the builds these folks are getting are non-standard ‘special’ configurations, that won’t be available to normal retail customers.


Notably, above and beyond the “delivery event” units, Tesla could continue following that ~same approach for additional build units for some time before Tesla reaches (and triggers) true retail production.

Take for example the Model S release, where Tesla deployed first “Founders” editions, then later “Signature” editions.

•

dolled up these showroom units with some special bits and bobs not typical

• @Jhogesatmb

Which is to say, regardless of the delivery event units, and - if Tesla goes this route - any ‘founders’ or special initial builds thereafter, it could be weeks or months before actual production begins, and weeks or month after THAT before the line is fully built and commissioned.

“Production” begins at Job #1 of the first saleable retail units.

•

for the insider delivery event, they’re building a delivery event configuration across the board - likely showcasing all the accessories available (that is, available / on hand as of Nov 30)

after the delivery event, there may be a ‘middle’ phase prior to true retail configuration

that middle phase, if so, would look like the ‘founders’ or ‘signature’ series they’ve done with past releases - special editions, to special buyers, at special pricing, with special configurations

when they get around to true retail configurations, expect it to go as ever: from what’s available, configure whatever you want - but your resulting delivery timing may effected

eg, folks who configure a ‘performance’ optioned CT will likely be waiting for delivery much longer than folks that configure a dual. The configuration site will likely forewarnthat a specific configuration/accessory will result in [X] anticipated delay.

 

[cvalue13]

Other NOTE:

Take extra attention to the fact that the Foundation series description of inclusions says nothing about AP or FSD

Nor did the delivery event intro info, nor the website for ‘normal’ trucks have ANY mention of AP or FSD

At this point, assume that AP/FSD are not yet operational in the Cybertruck

I suspect that it is not yet playing nicely with steer-by-wire

 

[CHC]

Where is the foundation order screenshot from?

 

[cvalue13]

Last note:

totally unclear how these pre-orders for Foundation series interact with existing pre-orders

there will only be 1000 made, and they’ll be the first trucks delivered

will first 2019 pre-orders not be “ahead” of these newly placed pre-orders for “foundation” series?

Is Tesla starting a new/different “line” to buy one of the first 1000 trucks?

 

[cvalue13]

 

[cvalue13]

 

[cvalue13]

Where is the foundation order screenshot from?

you didn’t get a special email invitation to have a chance to pre-order one?

don’t worry, hardly anyone did so far



these aren’t exactly offered openly to the Gen public, or else it would start to get Tesla too close to having started true production - which from a regulatory/financials standpoint is seemingly not what Tesla wants to occur on 2024 balance sheet

 

[cvalue13]

PSS:

this distinction between “Foundation” series vs “Founder’s” series is now clearer as to why the current VINs do not have the traditional “F00000” nomenclature given to “Founder’s” series builds @newwave1331

 

[newwave1331]

I suspect that it is not yet playing nicely with steer-by-wire

SBW that also has rear wheel steer..... I'm sure the FSD team is having some fun.

Last note:

totally unclear how these pre-orders for Foundation series interact with existing pre-orders

there will only be 1000 made, and they’ll be the first trucks delivered

will first 2019 pre-orders not be “ahead” of these newly placed pre-orders for “foundation” series?

Is Tesla starting a new/different “line” to buy one of the first 1000 trucks?

Ahh the starting of the "line" conversation. This would be a heated conversation if pricing came in closer to the average Joe's expectation.

Did you just X quote WholeMarsCollection and MDR in the same post?

 

[cvalue13]

SBW that also has rear wheel steer..... I'm sure the FSD team is having some fun.


Ahh the starting of the "line" conversation. This would be a heated conversation if pricing came in closer to the average Joe's expectation.


Did you just X quote WholeMarsCollection and MDR in the same post?

Well, there was a whiff of incredulity brewing, and I figured if the WMB/MDRs of the world are talking it, it would short-circuit the need for certain explanations and defenses

 

[CyberC]

Wow, they're throwing in all the sci-fi references they can. Can't wait for the Hyperion package with optional unfinished corners for maximum impallage.

 

[newwave1331]

PSS:

this distinction between “Foundation” series vs “Founder’s” series is now clearer as to why the current VINs do not have the traditional “F00000” nomenclature given to “Founder’s” series builds @newwave1331

So are 800-906 part of foundation series?

 

[VR Driving]

Looks like I was right, the Founders edition is more expensive than the retail trucks.

 

[VR Driving]

Other NOTE:

Take extra attention to the fact that the Foundation series description of inclusions says nothing about AP or FSD

Nor did the delivery event intro info, nor the website for ‘normal’ trucks have ANY mention of AP or FSD

At this point, assume that AP/FSD are not yet operational in the Cybertruck

I suspect that it is not yet playing nicely with steer-by-wire

AP and FSD require fleet data training with the proper camera positions, there are simply not enough Cybertrucks on the road to provide enough data for FSD. I believe this is also the reason Semi does not have AP or FSD enabled.

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