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It’s that time of the year in the western world where families go crazy buying gifts for kids that they will soon abandon. Yet the reveal of the Radio Flyer Cyberquad is all the rage! With design styling inspired by the soon-to-be-released Tesla Cybertruck, the Model 915 ride-on toy is now available for sale. Hurry, don’t wait! You might miss out…
It’s not exactly the iconic Original Little Red Wagon, but the Cyberquad has a lot going for it. Maybe you’re a car aficionado who can’t afford a Cybertruck but would like to live vicariously through this reduced scale version. The Cyberquad for Kids by Radio Flyer Model 915 is available for purchase now exclusively on the Tesla Shop while supplies last; it is listed for $1,900. Orders will begin shipping late November, 2023.
Tesla refers to it as “our all-electric, Cyberquad for Kids four-wheel ride-on toy.” The Model 915 Cyberquad for Kids is an updated version of the Model 914 that sold out within minutes when launched in December, 2021.
According to the press release, the Model 915 Cyberquad for Kids features a sturdy steel frame, giving it the strength and durability to support a maximum rider weight of 150 pounds to ensure safe riding. Disclaimers insist this is a toy, though, and families should not use or allow children to use on uneven or wet terrain, inclines, or sand, nor should families permit children to drive over obstacles.
It has high pressure rubber air tires, a 500 watt motor, and a maximum speed of 10 mph. In the low setting, the rider has control of the speed from 0-5 mph with the thumb throttle. In the high setting, the rider has control of the speed from 0-10 mph. Family members can reduce the default setting to 5 mph out of an abundance of caution. For added safety, the rider can activate a quick stopping action with the hand brake that engages the rear disc brake, stopping both rear wheels.
The Cyberquad has a max range of 15 miles and lithium-ion battery technology. The quick release Flight Speed battery pack removes from the back to easily plug into the custom designed Cyberquad charger. The company reminds its fans that lithium-ion battery technology “provides the best performance with a lower impact on the environment, as well as the longest run time and fastest recharge time compared to other products on the market.”
Updated Cyberquad Meets Safety Standards
The latest version of this toy includes several product updates, as the previous Tesla Cyberquad for Kids was recalled for not meeting safety standards.
“The Cyberquad fails to comply with the federal mandatory safety standard requirements for youth ATVs, including mechanical suspension and maximum tire pressure. Additionally, the Cyberquad lacks a CPSC-approved ATV action plan, which is required to manufacture, import, sell, or distribute ATVs. ATV action plans contain numerous safety requirements, such as rider training, dissemination of safety information, age recommendations, and other safety measures. These ATV safety standards are in place to reduce crash and injury hazards, preventing serious injury or death.”
Several areas of the Cyberquad for Kids have since been redesigned to meet Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements and ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standards:
- Replacement of the rear spring with a steel tube with rubber-coated metal inserts that secures the rear frame to the main frame;
- An updated age grade of 9-12 years old;
- A revised warning label applied to the front left fender that states that the product is not for off-road use and is not a youth ATV; and,
- A tire inflation warning label applied to the front left fender.
Radio Flyer has been working on the relaunch of the Cyberquad for Kids for the past two years. Robert Pasin, Radio Flyer’s Chief Wagon Officer, says their product development team has worked closely with the Tesla Design Studio to update this new model, “which we know has been highly anticipated by our customers. At Radio Flyer, we take pride in delivering safe and innovative products that spark imaginative play.”
Youth will now experience a padded seat for comfort, variable speed throttle in both forward and reverse, and LED light bars for the headlight and taillight. Cyberquad for Kids is the third product produced by Radio Flyer for Tesla.
You may recall that the trademark “Cyberquad” was first shared during Tesla’s 2020 Battery Day Event, when CEO Elon Musk revealed a prototype of the Cyberquad for investors. Musk had wanted the Cyberquad ATV to be available as an optional accessory for the Cybertruck.
Now it seems as if the ATV will not enter production before the actual Cybertruck has its first release later this month. The first production versions of the brand’s long-awaited Cybertruck will be delivered to customers on November 30 at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas.
Final Thoughts about the Cybertruck & Other Scaled Vehicles
I grew up playing with my brother’s Hot Wheels; it was a way for us to learn about the Detroit Three and their makes and models before we knew anything about an engine, gearbox, clutch, battery, brakes, radiator, steering, or suspension. We also loved Matchbox cars and trucks, which were a little more directed to function than imagination.
For the holiday season 2023, things have changed a bit, and, if the Cyberquad doesn’t fit your exact specifications, maybe the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fire Delivery Van will do it. For the older kids in your life, there are NHRA diecast models. You can also make your own vintage vehicle models to capture the memories.
Serious adult car lovers can order Amalgam Collection miniature sculptures, 1:8 or 1:18 scale collections, or even bespoke models. Check out the following miniature masterpieces: 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Mille Miglia, 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 3589GT, 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1-3.8 Coupé, and 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster. If you want one, Amalgam can make it happen.
How about a 1:8 scale McLaren Senna? It costs a little more than $13,000, features headlights, taillights, and hazards that light up via remote control. The doors are motorized and can move up and down on command.
Whether it’s a Cyberquad or Hot Wheel, a Bugatti or a Jaguar, many parts of the US toy industry are shrinking, according to the American Toy Association. Miniature things make us happy, as we feel a sense of awe of tiny objects, a respect for their craftsmanship, and admiration for the daintiness of their construction. Small versions allow us to capture a world that might be otherwise beyond our reach.
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