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MagyarTesla Cybertruck taken to tractor pull struggles to keep up with diesel-powered RAM Cummins
A recent video from The Fast Lane Truck’s YouTube channel featured a Tesla Cybertruck competing against a diesel-powered RAM Cummins in a tractor-pull event. Now, that makes for some interesting content, doesn’t it? However, the crowd at the event was clearly not impressed with the idea, and a few spectators even shouted, ‘Go back to California.’ Before we take a peek at the results, let us first take a refresher on what a 'tractor pull' event really is.
A tractor pull, also known sometimes as a truck pull, is a motorsport competition in which high-performance vehicles, typically pick-up trucks, drag a heavy sled along a designated track. The ultimate goal is rather simple - pull the sled as far as possible. The distance successfully hauled is then measured, and the entrants are ranked accordingly. Moreover, the sled is also equipped with a weight transfer mechanism of sorts, which is intended to make the pull increasingly difficult as the vehicle progresses (and the weight moves forward).
Roman and Andre, the two presenters of the video (both new to the world of tractor pulls), prepared their vehicles for the upcoming face-off. Roman's dual-motor AWD Cybertruck was put in off-road mode with a 60-40 rear and front power split, while Andre's 6.7L RAM Cummins was placed in 4-wheel drive, along with locked differentials for maximum traction.
Essentially, the challenge required the contestants to haul a 33,000-pound (roughly 15-ton) sled down a designated 300-foot track. The RAM Cummins, piloted by Andre, was the first to take up the challenge - and successfully pulled the sled about 280 feet before coming to an unfortunate halt. The diesel-powered pickup truck did rather well, considering that it was stock and most vehicles that successfully complete the challenge are heavily modified, and are fitted with tires specifically meant for the event. Roman's Cybertruck followed next in line, which, despite having the advantage of instant torque courtesy of the electric motors, managed to pull the sled only about 230 feet before running out of breath - almost 50 feet behind the diesel-powered RAM.
Perhaps the most significant factor, among many others that had an influence on the outcome, was the difference in weight between both vehicles. The substantially heavier RAM Cummins, thanks to its 6.7 L diesel engine, which pumps out 370 HP and 850 lb-ft of torque, had the advantage of significantly more traction. The Tesla Cybertruck, on the other hand, produces a whopping 600 HP from its dual motors, but was hindered due to having a much lower weight, as well as a marginally lower torque output of 743 lb-ft. The EV benefitted from instant torque, but struggled as the resistance from the sled eventually increased, ultimately failing to keep up with the diesel-gulping RAM.
Keeping the above facts in mind, the Cybertruck's defeat becomes somewhat less of a surprise. Now, of course, things might've turned out very differently had it been the tri-motor version, but that wasn't the case. However, both Roman and Andre did express a desire to return with more powerful configurations for both contenders, but that remains to be seen in a possible sequel to the video.
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