We certainly never thought we'd miss the sloping, bumpy, curve-free body panels of the original Tesla Cybertruck, but here we are. In its defense, the “doomsday-ready” Cybertruck Sting family prepares the truck for full off-grid duty by loading it with Starlink connectivity and a jet fuel generator designed to keep Tesla's battery pack fully charged.
The new Sting series is the result of a collaboration between Archimedes Defense and Unplugged Performance. Based in Temecula, California, Archimedes specializes in aerospace-grade hybrid electric propulsion systems and generator sets designed for defense and government applications. Unplugged in Hawthorne, California, focuses on upgrade kits and components for Tesla vehicles, including tactical packages for law enforcement and government.
Together they made the Cybertruck:
Archimedes/Unplugged Performance
Ignoring that piecemeal armor kit for a second, the centerpiece of the new collaboration package comes from Archimedes in the form of the AMP Drive G125, which will be mounted in the front trunk. Capable of supercharging the Cybertruck up to a planned 125 kW, the lightweight, compact 800V generator will use direct drive without a transmission to generate power. Plans call for it to run on Jet A, JP-8, diesel, and biodiesel fuels, adding flexibility for off-grid range extension. An included NACS charging cable and non-NACS adapters will allow owners to give other EVs a rescue charge.
Archimedes says the G125 can fully charge the Cybertruck's battery, though the actual range increase will vary depending on battery size, truck equipment, payload, etc.
Archimedes' Defense
If the G125 performs as planned, a full battery charge would double the Cybertruck’s estimated 250 to 340 miles (402 to 547 km) range, potentially reaching 680 miles (1,094 km), which would go far beyond the 470 miles (757 km) range Tesla advertises for the Cybertruck’s range-extender battery option. In that case, drivers would be able to drive out into the middle of nowhere without worrying about not having enough battery power to get back, the EV version of hauling a few cans of gasoline or diesel in the back of an ICE truck.
On the plus side, for those still rubbing their sore eyes after looking at the pile of prison-industrial chaos posing as a truck above, the Sting can be ordered with an Archimedes generator and a sleeker, less over-the-top body kit. This base model is called the Sting Baja and includes Unplugged's simpler Invincible package.
Archimedes/Unplugged Performance
The overland-inspired Invincible kit leaves most of the Cybertruck body undamaged, save for the carbon fiber hood and fenders. It focuses more on off-road functionality, incorporating underbody skid protection, a lift-kit-upgraded suspension, LED auxiliary lighting, heavy-duty steel bumpers and rock sliders, MOLLE panels, and a few other upgrades. The LED light bar embedded in the hood is a bit much, but the package feels much less invasive than what’s waiting in the dash. The Baja also includes Starlink satellite internet connectivity for worldwide communication.
Things get really chunky really fast with the mid-range ‘Sting Protector’. This model creates a personal Cybertruck shelter behind a bolt-on, removable outer steel shell that can withstand 7.62mm assault rifle fire from ‘key azimuths’ – perfect for warlords, international criminals and serious instigators of insurrection. This package can be ordered with or without the Archimedes AMP Drive G125 – depending, I suppose, on whether you want to get back out of the murderous environment you’ve survived through on the escape leg of the journey.
Archimedes/Unplugged Performance
If you’d rather be more actively involved in the war and unrest around you than just watching from behind a bulletproof body, we recommend stepping up to the flagship Sting APC. It ensures that even the most comfortable of driver rides come with IED/mine-grade protection. The enhanced bolt-on, bolt-on exterior steel and ceramic coating are ready to protect occupants from any 14.5mm heavy machine gun fire that might come their way. And yes, we’re still talking about significant azimuths.
Archimedes, founded last year, says it makes generators for use in government aviation applications but is still developing its Cybertruck G125 version. It plans to have it ready by late 2025, with the Sting armored vehicles without the generator to be released earlier.
That's a real shame, because the G125 is definitely the coolest part of the package, and probably the one that potential buyers who aren't tasked with fighting or defending war will actually want and use.
While reservations are available for $500, there’s no word on how much buyers will ultimately pay. Archimedes is not currently making pricing information public, noting that builds are expected to be highly customized and prices will vary accordingly.
Read: An armored vehicle powered by jet fuel and equipped with bullet and explosive shields, no matter how expensive it sounds.
Disconnected Performance
For reference, Unplugged is selling the base-level Invincible components a la carte, and buyers will be shelling out around $40,000 for the entire package (truck not included). We assume there might be a discount for buying the entire set at once, but then there’s the price of all that ballistic armor and jet fuel production to worry about on the Protector and APC models. It’s fair to say that most Cybertruck drivers will probably just roll the dice with the Tesla’s stock bulletproofing.
Source: Archimedes Defense