Near-production Tesla Cybertruck leaked

The long-awaited Tesla Cybertruck has once again become the victim of yet another leak and this time the radical electric dual-cab 4x4 electric pick-up has been caught completely undisguised in prototype form inside its Texas Gigafactory home.

Apparently leaked by a Tesla factory worker, the short video shows a prototype Cybertuck up close and personal, revealing numerous changes from the original concept vehicle unveiled in 2019 in order to meet safety legislation.

The most noticeable revision is the addition of a pair of large door mirrors, which are required by law in many markets, despite the Tesla pick-up being fitted with rear-facing cameras.

Another detail change is an enormous single wiper blade that looks like it's been lifted off a big-rig.

Also added in the transition from concept to reality are big new black plastic fender flares and side sills, plus a set of smaller wheels and tyres that will reportedly be offered with aerodynamically-optimised clip-on wheel trims.

Overall, however, the near-production Tesla Cybertruck retains its controversial wedge-shaped profile, although less easy to spot in the images are the slightly downsized proportions and the reprofiled front-end, which required a significant redesign to meet pedestrian impact regulations. Extra bumpers that didn't feature on the concept have also been introduced for low-impact crash tests.

What's missing are conventional door-handles, since the Cybertruck's doors open via a touch-sensitive surface on the A- and C-pillars, although the production version is expected to feature additional handles.

With more than one-million pre-orders, including many in Australia where buyers can reserve a vehicle via the official Tesla website with a $150 refundable deposit, the Tesla Cybertruck remains one of the most eagerly-anticipated cars of all time.

But has been hit with multiple delays since its original 2019 reveal, including one related to the global semi-conductor shortage.

Despite the demand in Australia, Tesla might not begin deliveries of the all-electric pick-up here until 2025.

There's still no word on final spec for the 2022 Tesla Cybertruck, which is priced from $US39,900 ($A53,600), but the original concept featured a 200kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing a claimed cruising range of more than 800km.

Top-spec triple-motor Cybertruck models are claimed to accelerate to 60mph (97km/h) in less than three seconds and deliver a top speed of over 200km/h.

All Tesla Cybertruck models have a payload of 1588kg and the base model is rated to tow 3402kg. According to the US car-maker, triple-motor versions will have a towing capacity of at least 6350kg.

Single-, double- and triple-motor variants are all on the menu, with Aussie buyers able to configure their vehicle “as production nears in 2022”, according to information currently on the site.

No date has been locked in for when the Cybertruck will touch down in Australia, but since the Tesla pick-up only enters full-scale production in 2023, unprecedented demand could push out its launch here to 2025.

At this stage there's no confirmation of the rumoured smaller Tesla pick-up, but CEO Elon Musk will provide a product update as part of the company's next earning call at 9:30am AEST tomorrow (January 27).