Tesla Cybertruck clocked as fastest-ever electric pick-up in US test

WASHINGTON: The hottest version of Tesla's angular Cybertruck has become the world's fastest-ever electric pick-up, according to a new test run in the US.

The range-topping 834-hp Beast model, which has three electric motors, catapults to 100kph in 2.6 seconds, four-tenths ahead of the next quickest truck, a quad-motor Rivian R1T, according to the US car magazine Car and Driver, which carried out the tests.

"The Cybertruck Beast's 2.6-second blast also puts it well ahead of every other electric truck we've tested", the magazine's testers wrote. What's more, the Cybertruck is faster than of some of the most coveted sports cars in the world, including the Porsche 911.

The Tesla also completed the quarter-mile (402m) in just 11.0 seconds at 191kph, five-tenths ahead of the Rivian and nine-tenths quicker than a GMC Hummer EV.

The Cybertruck's unusual stainless steel bodywork recently came in for criticism after some owners spotted tiny rust specks after the truck had been parked out in the rain.

Tesla did not officially deny the problems and referred to the Cybertruck's user’s manual which warns drivers that the stainless steel body panels can develop minor corrosion under certain circumstances. The marks could be easily "cleaned off", said a company engineer.