Tesla Cybertruck: our first impressions of the gigantic electric pickup

Tesla’s Cybertruck is being exhibited for the first time in France at Vivatech, which is currently being held until May 25, 2024 at Porte de Versailles, in Paris! Elon Musk’s 100% electric pickup truck of the future is getting a lot of attention at the show, and for good reason. Gigantic in its volume and eye-catching with its very angular design, inspired by Blade Runner or by James Bond’s Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Methe Cybertruck is a real UFO.

We were able to take a tour of the owner (but not a tour of the circuit unfortunately), and the first thing you notice about Tesla’s electric pickup is its size. With 5.70 m long and 3 tonnes on the scale, we can say without getting too excited that the Cybertruck will mark the day when it arrives on our French roads between a Fiat 500 and a Clio 4.

A coating bulletproof like 50 Cent

It must be admitted that the cyberpunk effect, which gives its name to the vehicle, is rather successful, thanks to its very straight curves but also to its cold-rolled stainless steel bodywork which gives a factory feel of the future. A covering devoid of any trace of paint on the base model – you can however opt for a satin black covering… for an additional $6,500. This case is also resistant to 45-caliber and 9mm bullets, as well as 12-gauge shotguns, which can be useful if you live in deep Texas.

Moreover, despite this futuristic look, the Cybertruck remains a pick-up. We therefore have a skip at the rear (capacity 1800 liters), something again quite rare in France but which we see much more often across the Atlantic. This open-air trunk can be closed using an electrified cover which deploys by pressing a button on the side of the vehicle. The Cybertruck can also tow other vehicles weighing up to 5 tonnes – Tesla even took the liberty of showing off in a video, where its Cybertruck beats a Porsche 911 in the race by towing… another Porsche 911.

$100,000 for the “Cyberbeast”

For its part, the interior is strongly reminiscent of what is already done at Tesla, with a rectangular steering wheel which is similar to the famous yoke of the Model S and Model X, and an 18.5” screen as a dashboard. At the rear, another 9.4” screen should be reserved for entertainment-focused use.

Remember that the Cybertruck is still unavailable in Europe despite this French presentation. It was released in the United States at the beginning of December 2023 in its Dual Motor and Cyberbeast Tri-Motor versions, respectively priced at $79,990 and $99,990. A less expensive version with a single engine should arrive in 2025 for $60,990. Vehicle range varies between 402 and 547 km. This can be extended by more than 200 km thanks to an optional range extender, the price of which would be around $16,000, according to rumors.