It was a strange and yet somehow familiar scene.Awkward Elon standing in front of his followers, random bros shouting out during the pauses, a child’s geometry project on wheels in the spotlight. And then the windows broke—The unveiling of the Tesla Cybertruck might have been the oddest Tesla reveal event yet. Fitting, perhaps, because it’s definitely the brand’s oddest-looking vehicle. The best/worst moment in the evening happened when lead designer Franz von Holzhausen, warm from just having sledgehammered the doors to show off their strength, lobbed a metal ball at the driver-side window. Unlike the door, which didn’t bear so much as a scratch, the window broke. Oh my fing god, laughed Elon. Then Franz busted the back window the same way. (You can watch that awesome lowlight at the 31:38 mark in the full reveal video.)But even with the window demo fail and the fact the brand managed to over-deliver on its range and price promises, it was the truck’s mold-shattering appearance that garnered the best reactions. By the time the Tesla team had vacuumed the bits of broken glass out of the seats, Twitter had already curated its own hilarious list of things people were comparing the truck to. Elon unveiling the Tesla Cybertruck. pic.twitter.com/TxNGYDyGzP Adam Selby (@adamselby) November 22, 2019I’m telling my kids this was the Tesla cybertruck #teslatruck #tesla #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/492Fd97rYM Joseph Bue (@joseph_bue1) November 22, 2019#teslatruckTruck designer:So, how do you want your truck?Elon Musk: pic.twitter.com/azWwq9RSCQ NIDHAL SELMI نضال السالمي (@imleslahdin) November 22, 2019The most popular and obvious reference by far comes courtesy of The Simpsons. #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/ctLhVgk0rL Warren Christmas (@Ben_Lombardo_) November 22, 2019It wasn’t all laughs and gasps, though. Wall Street’s response to the truck and the event that launched it was a little more sombre. Tesla’s stock dipped six per cent immediately following the event, with analysts pointing to the truck’s “really weird” look. In the brand’s defence, Tesla teased the Cybertruck’s avant-garde form plenty beforehand, with references to Blade Runner and an image of 007’s “Wet Nellie” Lotus Esprit S1. Now, with the E-pickup in plain sight, the public is comparing it to other vehicles from the past. The new #Tesla #Cybertruck looks like the 1970s Dome Zero, with these old Saturn doors that didnt dent. pic.twitter.com/cxJ1t0BFXo Kevin Cleroux (@Kevin8se7en) November 22, 2019my take is I think it looks great, like a fat Gandini wedge, but Im worried for pedestrians and that it is enormous and maybe deeply anti-social? #TeslaPickupTruck pic.twitter.com/1ji7HgMVnc Matt Bubbers (@mattbubbers) November 22, 2019Think it’s a coincidence that #DeLorean was also trending last night?This is what happens when the #DeLorean from Back To The Future, has a baby with the Tumbler from Batman Begins. pic.twitter.com/5LB7r9Fh2y Shaun Stackhouse (@ShaunStackhouse) November 22, 2019Ultimately, Tesla designed this thing to be different, so don’t expect the commentary and memes to stop here. Tesla #Cybertruck design briefing:ELON:I want you to make an electric truck!DESIGNER:Yes boss. What specs does it need?ELON:It must be faster than all other trucks on the market.DESIGNER:Roger that. What is the budget boss?ELON:8 polygons. pic.twitter.com/C0Xrn8Tpqt ZUBY: (teamzuby.com sale) (@ZubyMusic) November 22,
Origin: A ‘smashing’ success? All the best reactions to Tesla’s provocative Cybertruck
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Autocar confidential: Volkswagen’s rowdy crowds, Mini’s sales success and more
In the Frankfurt motor show edition of Autocar confidential, we hear how Volkswagen kept order at the revealing of its new ID 3, how things are looking for Mini’s first electric model, and more. Keeping the (Green)peace Volkswagen was taking no chances, given the threat of protesters disrupting its Frankfurt press conference, and had a ring of burly security guards set 20m from the stage to give anyone who dared to move within range the evil eye. It worked: despite the presence of Greenpeace protesters outside, the conference passed without incident. Goodbye-ton Byton CTO David Twohig claimed the surprise departure of joint founder Carsten Breitfeld is “normal for a start-up”. He said: “If Carsten had left earlier, it would be a serious blow. But we were stable by the time he left. He was a visionary, but now the priority is getting that vision to production”. The production M-Byte electric SUV, shown at Frankfurt and on sale in Europe by 2021, could also be offered in right-hand drive “if there’s enough interest”, Twohig said. Shocking demand for Mini’s EV Mini has taken 60,000 expressions of interest in its new Electric model, order books for which opened during the show. It’s the first time Mini has run a pre-sales programme and sales are well ahead of where the company expected them to be, according to its boss, Bernd Körber. Pura Vision… without the vision Automobili Pininfarina showed its new Pura Vision SUV concept in Frankfurt – but took away our iPhone for a picture that would have been worth 1000 words… Perhaps a cross between a Lamborghini Urus and an Aston Martin DB11 best describes it, but it’s elegant in a way most SUVs simply aren’t. We expect Automobili Pininfarina to reveal it next
Origin: Autocar confidential: Volkswagen’s rowdy crowds, Mini’s sales success and more
Lotus celebrates motorsport success with Evora GT4 concept
Lotus has unveiled a GT4-spec race variant of its Evora GT430 hardcore sports car at the Shanghai motor show. Developed and built at Lotus’ headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, the track-prepped Evora GT4 concept is finished in a distinctive two-flag livery that celebrates its British heritage and Chinese launch location. The 1200kg model’s 3.5-litre petrol V6 has been tuned to produce 444bhp and 376lb ft at 4000rpm, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 370bhp per tonne and a claimed top speed of 170mph. Sitting on race-spec centre-lock wheels shod with slick tyres, the Evora GT4 sports an adjustable rear wing, a roof-mounted carbonfibre air intake and aerodynamics-enhancing louvres on the front wings. The carbonfibre front bumper has been adapted to feature removable canards and brake cooling vents, while a four-vein diffuser and large ducts at the rear enhance downforce and aerodynamic efficiency. Further weight-saving measures include plexiglass for the side windows, a carbonfibre bootlid and 12-spoke aluminium wheels. In line with motorsport regulations, driver safety features include an eight-point roll cage, a six-point race harnesses, an emergency engine kill switch and a fire extinguisher. Speaking at the concept’s unveiling in Shanghai, Lotus CEO Phil Popham said: “All of our cars retain motorsport within their DNA, and almost every road car in the company’s history has raced successfully at some point. “It’s the philosophy that Colin Chapman founded Lotus on and that we proudly continue to this day.” Also announced at Shanghai was the launch of Lotus’s new Chinese driving academy, where newly appointed factory race drivers Cui Yue and Gaoxiang Fan will host track training days and hot lap sessions. The Evora GT4’s unveiling comes on the same day as confirmation that Lotus will reveal the Type 130 electric hypercar, its first all-new model since 2008, in London later this year. The 1000bhp-plus rival to the Pininfarina Battista is set to have a range of more than 250 miles. Fewer than 50 examples will be
Origin: Lotus celebrates motorsport success with Evora GT4 concept
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