UAE car fanatics pre-order Tesla's new Cybertruck

Speculation mounts that Dubai Police have purchased one of the vehicles

The all-electric, battery-powered Tesla Cybertruck. AFP / FREDERIC J. BROWN

Dubai car enthusiasts are rushing to pre-order Telsa’s new Dh250,000 Cybertruck.

The sci-fi-like, all-electric vehicle is due to go on sale in 2021 but fans can guarantee ownership now by paying a Dh500 deposit.

The unconventional-looking truck has been designed to have the pull of an off-road vehicle while maintaining the speed of a high-end sports car.

On Tuesday, Dubai Police tweeted a picture of the car in their own livery, drawing speculation they had also ordered one of the trucks.

“It’s like something from science-fiction films, which I’m a big fan of,” said Emirati Saif Obaid Al Salman, 38.

“I really wanted one. In today’s market companies don’t often take chances but this is like nothing else available.”

On Wednesday, Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk said the firm had already received 250,000 orders for the truck.

Some models are expected to do 0-100kph in just 2.9 seconds and will have a battery range of about 800km.

Mr Al Salman, who works for a tech company, said he was a long-standing fan of Tesla and already owned a Model X, an SUV.

“People might be a bit hesitant but Elon Musk is a pioneer who boldly goes where others don’t and follows his dreams,” he said.

“I never saw myself as a truck owner but the price points are amazing.”

Another car fanatic among the first to put her name down for the Cybertruck was Dubai blogger Supercar Blondie.

“I’ve always been a fan of Tesla but I was waiting for them to put something super cool on the market,” said the 34-year-old Australian.

Despite the international hype surrounding the vehicle's launch last week, not everything went entirely to plan.

Mr Musk threw a steel ball at the car intending to demonstrate the strength of its “armour glass” windows - but the windows then smashed.

“Things don’t always go to plan in every presentation and I actually thought it gave it a more human touch,” said the Australian blogger.

“Car reveals can be so perfect these days that it was actually refreshing to see something go wrong and them handling it with humour.”

For Bahranian TV presenter Ahmed Al Masheet it was the appearance of the Cybertruck that made him want to reserve his own.

“It just looks and feels like something from the future,” the 32-year-old said.

“It’s still not going to be available for two years but if you are investing in the future you want to buy the best there is.”