CYBER TRUCK

Thirty-six hours with the world's most extreme car as the new Tesla rocks California and meets its key rivals

-  Piers Ward

'BRO, WHAT IS THAT?'

'Oh, wow!
My first Cybertruck." 
'What car is that? Does it fly?" 
'Did you build it?" 
'Is it a concept car?"

"Thanks for letting us see your geometry project." Welcome to America and to the world of the Tesla Cybertruck. In a nation historically well versed in all things automobile, this electric pick-up confounds every norm, from manufacturing to design.

It is easy to subscribe to the view that Tesla are the poster child for how to win at cars, with a cultural significance that stretches far beyond the number of actual vehicles they build. And yet, if our experience of 36 hours in the Cybertruck tells us anything, it is that the car is so other-worldly, so completely different from anything that has ever been built before, that it leaves people agog and confused.

Ironically, in a world dominated by Elon Musk, his X musings, and the pervasive Internet, it is his creation that proves there are black spots of coverage. It is almost reassuring.

One thing is certain: the Cybertruck never fails to light up a conversation. With no Tesla badging and a shape Pythagoras would be proud of, it stuns lookers-on. In 36 hours, we get every reaction from jaw-on-floor to cynicism to wide-eyed hysteria.

It is not a car that leaves anyone sitting on the fence. Nor is it a car likely to go on sale in Europe any time soon-blame myriad fundamental hurdles and, given Tesla no longer even fancy building the Model S in right-hand drive, little appetite to tackle them.