The Tesla Cybertruck is visiting Paris. This is the opportunity to approach it a little closer. Definitely, it’s a vehicle that doesn’t leave you indifferent, whether you love it or hate it.
Tesla’s Cybertruck makes the first stop on its French tour at the Vivatech show in Paris from May 22 to 25. One thing is certain: the imposing pickup intrigues visitors to the show a lot, but they are not the only ones. Numerama was among the media allowed to board the Tesla Cybertruck to get a first impression of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, there is no question of getting behind the wheel yet, as the model is not approved for driving on open roads in Europe for the moment.
The Cybertruck is a funny monolith
The first impression felt in the presence of the Cybertruck confirms it, the machine is quite massive. Yet there are bigger ones on the road, including models imported as far as Europe like the Hummer EV. However, the angular design and the stainless steel body play on the perception of its size.
The eye is inevitably drawn to the fairly protruding edges of its different panels. There was no question of testing whether the model presented could be a vegetable peeler, as many videos on the internet show. Despite everything, the design of the model raises questions, particularly in the event of an accident.
As for whether Tesla aims to have it approved in Europe, there will be no official answer to the question for now. This is not the priority of the manufacturer, which is already concentrating on delivering to many American customers.
Tesla chose some amazing design elements
How can we talk about an encounter with the Tesla Cybertruck without discussing its spectacular unique windshield wiper? It has been widely mocked, but it must be admitted, the appendix is ​​particularly unsightly on the Cybertruck’s windshield. The windshield wiper is longer than my own legs, which is really surprising on a vehicle of this type.
The front trunk (frunk) is quite practical to serve as a bench. However, for storing objects there, it is less certain. The dumpster at the back is quite impressive. In addition, its electric shutter is still rather cool to use, hoping that it is not a part that breaks down too quickly.
Opening the doors with the button is a little confusing, but ultimately it doesn’t work that badly. That said, it only opens the door a few centimeters; you then have to maneuver the imposing doors by gripping the steel bodywork. Tesla is not the only one to opt for this kind of openness, but it remains difficult to see any real interest in it. The challenge then is not to leave too many hand marks on the bodywork, which means that this is not a foregone conclusion.
An element inside is also very interesting: the endless dashboard. It is clearly not recommended to leave anything on the dashboard, otherwise you will have to struggle to get it all the way to the end at the junction with the windshield. This space is generally unusable on a daily basis, it is wasted space. It was nevertheless unavoidable for the model, because the windshield is strongly inclined. As a result, the driver is particularly far back in the passenger compartment.
A fairly familiar interior
As for the rest of its interior, the Tesla Cybertruck still seems particularly close to the rest of the range. Except for the still different steering wheel of the new Model 3, the Model S (Yoke steering wheel) or the traditional steering wheel of Model Y. The central screen is large and equipped with the latest version of the software, which arrives on the other models.
It is best to be in good physical shape to climb aboard the Cybertruck. Like all pickups of its kind, the seat is very high, but Tesla has not integrated handles to make getting in and out of the vehicle easier. With jeans that were a little too tight, I honestly struggled to get into the driver’s seat with elegance.
For the rest, the Cybertruck surprises with the brightness on board. The glass surfaces, even neatly cut, are quite pleasant and the space on board does the rest to provide all the necessary comfort for all occupants.
The Cybertruck: ugly, atypical or brilliant?
Everyone will classify the machine in the category they want. The Tesla Cybertruck doesn’t really excite me, with its angular design and lack of practicality. I prefer the Ford F-150 Lightning, but I understand the interest it may generate. In any case, it is a model to discover in real life to form an opinion.
It is interesting to note that the example chosen to make the French tour does not suffer from bodywork defects, as we have observed on other models delivered to customers.
The Tesla Cybertruck always gets a lot of attention, for better or for worse. A topic to follow by subscribing to our weekly newsletter Watt Else.
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