The ultimate Cybertruck

Ever since ‘The Walking Dead’ was shown in 2010 and followed by movies like ‘World War Z’, people have become more familiar with zombies. These ‘undead’ creatures are usually described as humans who got infected by something that turned them into cannibalistic monsters. Scary and great for science fiction movies.

In most of the movies and TV series, humans keep having to escape from zombies intent on eating them. And most of the time, they have ordinary cars with just a bit of additional protection. Occasionally, some carmakers have created special vehicles that can resist zombie attacks – like the Hyundai Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine (below) which was shown at Comic-Con in 2012.

While such machines are one-off creations for promotional activities, there are companies that specialise in modifying vehicles for almost any kind of ‘end of the world’ situation. Protecting the vehicle against bullets and attacks by terrorists or drug gangs is already readily offered even by some automakers but there are specialists which can go even further.

Archimedes Defense is one such company which makes vehicles for use by armed forces or law enforcement agencies, and also private customers who just want something that they can drive anywhere on the planet – even if there are zombies.

Archimedes Defense has teamed up with Unplugged Performance, a Tesla upgrader, to develop the STING, based on the Tesla Cybertruck. Building upon Unplugged’s existing INVINCIBLE off-road components for the Cybertruck, the STING packages come in three variants to maximize off-grid recharging capability and protection for the occupants.

UP.FIT, Unplugged Performance’s fleet division, has already developed Cybertrucks for police use so that was a good starting point for the STING.

“UP.FIT has already set the standard with our police Cybertrucks, but with STING, in collaboration with Archimedes, we’re pushing the limits even further,” said Ben Schaffer, CEO of Unplugged Performance. “These STING Cybertrucks are designed to be more extreme, with enhanced protection and unmatched capabilities.”

A notable feature of the STING is its ability to go ‘off-grid’ beyond range of any charging station. Installed in the frunk (the cargo space at the front of the vehicle) is an AMP Drive G125TM aviation-derived 800V genset to recharge when needed.

This gearbox-less direct drive piston genset is multi-fuel capable and can run on jet fuel, diesel and biodiesel. It can supercharge the Cybertruck’s battery pack at up to 125 kW and also provide electricity to other vehicles.

While the zombie scenario is unlikely (hopefully), the STING can be armoured against mines with steel and ceramic plating. Needless to say the bodywork can also be fitted with bolt-on, bolt-off external armour plating to resist bullets.

Dubai Police Force now has a Tesla Cybertruck in its fleet