Tesla has added a 1:10 scale remote-controlled Cybertruck to its online shop, priced at $350, with first shipments expected to reach buyers from next week. The RC Racer is a rechargeable, all-wheel-drive model rather than a toy-grade novelty, and Tesla says it is not suitable for children under 14.
The listing appeared on Tesla's web shop and was spotted by Tesla enthusiast Sawyer Merritt on X. It arrives with the full-size Cybertruck more expensive than ever and set to go away next year, making the miniature the cheapest way into the nameplate.
What the RC Racer can do
Tesla claims a top speed of 37 mph (60 km/h), delivered by a single brushless motor that drives both axles through a set of drive shafts. That figure makes the model quicker than every low-speed vehicle on US roads, which are capped at 25 mph.
The chassis runs all-wheel drive, independent suspension with long travel and electronic stability control. Tesla says the 2.4 GHz radio system holds high-speed stability at distances of up to 326 feet (100 metres), and an optional gyro feature adds counter-steering to help prevent spinouts.
The transmitter has a side wheel for steering and a trigger for acceleration, braking and reverse, plus separate controls for throttle trim, steering alignment trim, steering reverse and gyro stability assist. It runs on four AA batteries, which are not included.
Charging takes up to three hours
A USB-C charger comes in the box, and Tesla advertises a run time of up to 20 minutes. Charging is a more involved process: the polycarbonate body has to be released from the chassis with quick-release clips, then the battery disconnected from the motor and plugged into the on-board charger through a USB-C port on the side of the chassis.
Tesla says a full charge can take up to three hours. The company has said it will soon begin selling spare parts for the RC Racer, which should let owners pick up extra batteries to extend sessions.
The three-hour charge against a 20-minute run time is the model's clearest compromise. Buyers who plan to use it seriously will get more out of it by treating a second battery as part of the purchase rather than an accessory.
Why Tesla is selling it now
The Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019 as a concept that Elon Musk pitched as affordable, a promise the production truck never met. With the real vehicle now more expensive than ever and due to be discontinued next year, the RC Racer gives the nameplate a cheaper entry point, even if it sits on a shelf rather than a driveway.
At $350 it is not a trivial purchase for a remote-controlled car, but it is the only Cybertruck a buyer can currently get for under $1,000. Tesla has not announced Australian availability or local pricing for the RC Racer.
