Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has been talking about the all-electric Cybertruck for the better part of a year now and overnight, it was unveiled to the world. Like promised, it is rather wild, perhaps even too wild for most buyers of this segment.
In traditional Tesla style, the Cybertruck was presented in a glitzy event held in California and filled with an audience of handpicked media members and Tesla fans. At one stage in the presentation, Elon Musk asked Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen to throw a metal ball at the side windows of the supposed armored glass used by the Cybertruck.
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Instead of this demonstration showing how strong the windows of the Cybertruck are, both the side windows shattered, leaving Franz and Musk nervously laughing. In fact, the first thing Musk said after the front side window shattered was “Oh my f**king god!” before adding “ At least it didn’t go through.”
Evidently, the Tesla Cybertruck presented was a very early prototype and the truck still needs a lot of work before it starts reaching the hands of customers.
Tesla does have time on its side to iron out the window issue and any other problems this show vehicle may have with production not penciled in until 2021, a date which could very likely be pushed back.
One aspect of the Cybertruck that was successfully demonstrated was the stainless body that easily withstood a strike from a sledgehammer.
The range-topping Tesla Cybertruck in Tri-Motor AWD form and tipped to arrive in 2022 will be able to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 10.8-seconds. It will also be good for a range of more than 500 miles (800 km).