Tesla may be preparing to expand its Cybertruck-inspired design language. In a recent interview, chief designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed the company has considered developing a Cyber SUV as well as a smaller version of the Cybertruck.
Speaking on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit podcast, von Holzhausen was asked if Tesla planned to bring additional Cyber-style vehicles to market. While stopping short of a direct confirmation, he gave a carefully worded response.
“That’s definitely all things that we’ve considered. I think, you know, wait and see is probably maybe the best way to answer.”
A Cyber SUV Already Teased by Tesla
Hints of such a model have already appeared. Earlier this month, Tesla released its “Sustainable Abundance” video, where viewers spotted scale models in the background of the Design Studio that bore a striking resemblance to a Cyber SUV. The teaser has sparked speculation that Tesla is laying the groundwork for a broader Cyber lineup.
Cybertruck Lineup Changes
These remarks come just as Tesla has trimmed its Cybertruck portfolio. Last week, the company discontinued the most affordable Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant from its online configurator. Initially introduced just five months ago in April 2025 with a starting price of US$69,990 (before incentives), the RWD Cybertruck was eligible for the $7,500 U.S. federal EV tax credit, effectively bringing the entry price down to US$62,490.
The model was missing many of the key features that made the Cybertruck what it is, and the lack of those features didn’t justify the relatively small discount compared to the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant, leading to low sales and it’s eventual demise.
Now that the RWD option has been discontinued, the Cybertruck lineup begins at US$79,990 (before the $7,500 tax credit) for the AWD trim, with the flagship Cyberbeast at $114,990.
Looking Ahead
While Tesla has yet to confirm production plans for a Cyber SUV or compact Cybertruck, von Holzhausen’s comments—and Tesla’s own design studio teasers—indicate that new members of the Cyber family are under serious consideration. This may be a bold direction to move considering the Cybertruck has failed to garner the interest that was expected.
Other Changes Coming Soon
Beyond the potential for new models, Tesla is also revisiting smaller but important design details. Von Holzhausen revealed that Tesla engineers are working on a new door handle system to improve usability in emergencies. The plan is to merge the electronic release and manual override into a single button, simplifying operation. He noted that Tesla is already testing the feature in China and expects to roll out a “really good solution,” although he gave no specific timeline.
The news of a redesigned door handle came just one day after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it was launching a probe into the door handles over safety concerns.
