Tesla Cybercab Specs: Supermanifold V3, No Rare Earth Magnets & More

Tesla Cybercab Specs: Supermanifold V3, No Rare Earth Magnets & More

Regulatory filings, newly released rider handbooks, and last week’s launch event in Austin combine to detail the Cybercab’s dimensions, mechanical packaging, and custom thermal systems. This technical overview arrives as Cybercabs begin offering commercial public rides in Austin and incorporates information shared by @SawyerMerritt and @itskyleconner. While attendees experienced the vehicle during the official Cybercab launch event, the newly disclosed hardware illustrates how rigorous cost engineering informed each component.

Supermanifold V3 and Rare-Earth-Free Drive Unit

The Cybercab’s thermal system centers on an updated cooling loop called Supermanifold V3, debuting on a production Tesla. This unified manifold removes separate external valves and plumbing hoses and brings high- and low-voltage controllers together on a central block.

Tesla highlighted several improvements in its engineering overview:

“We removed unnecessary refrigerant valves and lines and consolidated the high-and low-voltage controllers, reducing parts and complexity. Its modular design makes its production 80% automated and its operation 38% more efficient than other automotive thermal systems.”

Propulsion is provided by a single front-wheel-drive permanent magnet motor rated at 163 kW (219 horsepower). The stator employs bar windings and a simplified lubrication circuit, enabling drive unit assembly in under ten seconds. The finished unit is 18% smaller and 25% lighter than competing electric vehicle drive units.

Elon Musk confirmed the motor avoids rare earth metals, addressing critical supply concerns:

“The Cybercab motor uses no rare earth metals, but maintains the same range!

This was extremely hard to achieve.”

Energy storage uses a structural battery pack with dry-cathode 4680 cells and a calculated usable capacity of 47.6 kWh. The pack is designed to withstand 500,000 miles of continuous DC fast charging and significant temperature extremes. Early multicycle range testing recorded an unadjusted 418.2 miles, equating to roughly 293 miles under typical EPA 5-cycle adjustments at an efficiency of 6.16 miles per kWh.

Chassis Engineering and Autonomous Sensor Suite

Beneath the injection-molded gold exterior panels, the chassis eliminates conventional automotive fluid lines. Braking is handled by individual electromechanical brake-by-wire actuators at each caliper, with no central hydraulic master cylinder or brake fluid. A steer-by-wire rack sits behind the front drive unit and runs on an updated 48-volt electrical architecture.

Autonomy compute is driven by an improved self-driving computer built on Hardware 4 with iterative silicon updates. Tesla hasn’t disclosed exact specifications, but we know it’s more powerful than what consumer vehicles are currently being sold with. The sensor suite includes nine cameras: eight outward-facing units for surroundings and one cabin-facing camera. Between trips, the internal camera checks cabin cleanliness and looks for forgotten items, showing a green onscreen icon whenever active. Tesla is also building a network of Robotaxi hubs to clean and charge vehicles between rides.

Passenger safety further benefits from an overhead radar near the dome lights functioning as an Occupant Classification System. It detects empty seats, child seats, or adult occupants to automatically enable or disable passenger airbags. Airbag coverage includes front, knee, curtain, and dual seat-mounted side airbags.

Exterior Dimensions and In-Cabin Packaging

Despite its compact footprint, the cabin offers generous space. Without a steering column or pedals, occupants have 43.4 inches of legroom, 38.3 inches of headroom, and 50.1 inches of hip room. The seat base moves as a single linked bench, while each backrest reclines independently. There is no active seat heating or ventilation, but the vehicle will already be warm on pickup. Individual vents let each rider manually shut off their own airflow.

The rear cargo area accommodates two checked bags and two carry-on suitcases, or a folded stroller or compact wheelchair. Child seats must be secured with vehicle seat belts because the seats do not include lower LATCH anchors.

In-cabin entertainment centers on a 22-inch touchscreen. Riders can already connect game controllers, and Musk recently teased that you’ll be able to plug gaming consoles into Cybercab. USB-C ports charge devices (there is no wireless phone charging), and Cybercabs are being built with integrated Starlink dishes to enable low-latency satellite connectivity in the future.

By combining Tesla’s ultra-lean “Unboxed” manufacturing approach with autonomy, Cybercab sets a new benchmark for purpose-built fleet efficiency.