Setok
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 1, 2023
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 362
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- Location
- Finland
- Vehicles
- Land Rover Defender, Jeep Avenger EV, Tesla Model 3
- Thread starter
- #1
Last weekend the Cybertruck made a surprise visit to the Tesla showroom near Helsinki (technically in Vantaa). It was unannounced and I got the feeling even the staff were caught off guard (especially by the Finnish UI). Regardless, I finally got to sit in one.
Maybe it's just time, me, the space where it was placed, but it didn't feel quite as humongous as it did when I first saw it, placed at the same showroom. Perhaps getting up close helped, or the less polished appearance, or the shock value has slightly worn off since the previous engagement. It it still a very large vehicle and arguably a bit too large to ideally work with European parking and roads (though worth remembering many mid- to large vans are same size or even bigger), but it disturbed the senses ever so slightly less.
I know the shape divides people, but after the initial three-letter acronym that spilled out after seeing the initial reveal, I really like what it is. I love that it's trying to do something different. I love the dystopian scifi vibe. I love the rough stainless steel. I would definitely not be a polisher, and it was nice to see a bit of dirt and dust on this one (without knowing why it had been left that way). It felt sturdy and like one could bang it around a bit without constantly stressing. To throw a mound of freshly chopped firewood on the back and head out, disregarding any scratches that appear on the way. We got to open and close the vault, which was suitably clattery but worked well, though I still worry those buttons will get completely iced up in colder climates.
Inside the vehicle, the seats were comfortable enough, and there was enough space behind me to fit another me on the back seat (I'm a tall guy). Though, in fairness, I have been in vehicles with even more (I love London taxis!). As everyone already knows, the interior is very minimalistic. This suits me fine: I'd want something workmanlike, not fancy. However it was almost strangely barebones in part. The centre console probably has less storage than my small Jeep Avenger EV. On that note, I miss how cars don't have dashboard shelves anymore (the Jeep does). It's a great place to throw frequently used knicks and knacks like sun glasses or a wallet. I'm perplexed as to why there is so much unused space in front of the console.
Doors were massively thick, and that would be an ideal way to take off the 10cm I feel would make the width more manageable, along with a narrower console. What I wouldn't want would be a smorgasbord of different materials and textures, that people seem to somehow consider 'premium'. Simple is fine.
I was particularly interested in the visibility and it has to be said: from that static position, it did seem rather poor. The Model 3 already has pretty bad visibility to the front sides due to a very thick and horizontally formed A pillar, and the Cybertruck continues that further, and adds an upright piece too. Never mind covering a cyclist in that dead corner, you could hide a spaceship. Rear visibility too was abyssmal with the tiny rear mirror being naturally useless when the vault was closed and almost useless with it open. The rear gate covers any hope of seeing virtually anything behind you. Not that vans are much better, though they do tend to have bigger side mirrors. I didn't get to test the digital on-screen mirror as an actual ride will have to wait until a possible third encounter. In videos that seems like a bit of a hack.
In the back the layout was simple and functional. We don't regularly carry passengers, but a cavalcade of Siamese cats do frequently ride there. Perhaps they might enjoy some bird programmes on the wee screen. I hadn't previously realised airflow could be adjusted individually in multiple directions from the screen (much as you do for the front).
The doors shut with a reassuringly heavy thud. I don't regularly get shot at, but when I do, those doors could be useful. Having said that, opening them from the outside was a flimsy operation. Give me proper handles any day of the week!
This Cybertruck was the American version (of course), so no CCS socket. If they do ever launch it for Europe, they will have to change the charging location. I suspected this might be the case, but there's no sensible way to get the bulkier CCS to fit in that opening on the rear wing.
Overall, seeing it live rekindled my interest in it. There's nothing quite like it out there, certainly in Europe. Tough and almost like a piece of military equipment. Though I will say that the panel gaps were shockingly bad in parts!
Maybe it's just time, me, the space where it was placed, but it didn't feel quite as humongous as it did when I first saw it, placed at the same showroom. Perhaps getting up close helped, or the less polished appearance, or the shock value has slightly worn off since the previous engagement. It it still a very large vehicle and arguably a bit too large to ideally work with European parking and roads (though worth remembering many mid- to large vans are same size or even bigger), but it disturbed the senses ever so slightly less.
I know the shape divides people, but after the initial three-letter acronym that spilled out after seeing the initial reveal, I really like what it is. I love that it's trying to do something different. I love the dystopian scifi vibe. I love the rough stainless steel. I would definitely not be a polisher, and it was nice to see a bit of dirt and dust on this one (without knowing why it had been left that way). It felt sturdy and like one could bang it around a bit without constantly stressing. To throw a mound of freshly chopped firewood on the back and head out, disregarding any scratches that appear on the way. We got to open and close the vault, which was suitably clattery but worked well, though I still worry those buttons will get completely iced up in colder climates.
Inside the vehicle, the seats were comfortable enough, and there was enough space behind me to fit another me on the back seat (I'm a tall guy). Though, in fairness, I have been in vehicles with even more (I love London taxis!). As everyone already knows, the interior is very minimalistic. This suits me fine: I'd want something workmanlike, not fancy. However it was almost strangely barebones in part. The centre console probably has less storage than my small Jeep Avenger EV. On that note, I miss how cars don't have dashboard shelves anymore (the Jeep does). It's a great place to throw frequently used knicks and knacks like sun glasses or a wallet. I'm perplexed as to why there is so much unused space in front of the console.
Doors were massively thick, and that would be an ideal way to take off the 10cm I feel would make the width more manageable, along with a narrower console. What I wouldn't want would be a smorgasbord of different materials and textures, that people seem to somehow consider 'premium'. Simple is fine.
I was particularly interested in the visibility and it has to be said: from that static position, it did seem rather poor. The Model 3 already has pretty bad visibility to the front sides due to a very thick and horizontally formed A pillar, and the Cybertruck continues that further, and adds an upright piece too. Never mind covering a cyclist in that dead corner, you could hide a spaceship. Rear visibility too was abyssmal with the tiny rear mirror being naturally useless when the vault was closed and almost useless with it open. The rear gate covers any hope of seeing virtually anything behind you. Not that vans are much better, though they do tend to have bigger side mirrors. I didn't get to test the digital on-screen mirror as an actual ride will have to wait until a possible third encounter. In videos that seems like a bit of a hack.
In the back the layout was simple and functional. We don't regularly carry passengers, but a cavalcade of Siamese cats do frequently ride there. Perhaps they might enjoy some bird programmes on the wee screen. I hadn't previously realised airflow could be adjusted individually in multiple directions from the screen (much as you do for the front).
The doors shut with a reassuringly heavy thud. I don't regularly get shot at, but when I do, those doors could be useful. Having said that, opening them from the outside was a flimsy operation. Give me proper handles any day of the week!
This Cybertruck was the American version (of course), so no CCS socket. If they do ever launch it for Europe, they will have to change the charging location. I suspected this might be the case, but there's no sensible way to get the bulkier CCS to fit in that opening on the rear wing.
Overall, seeing it live rekindled my interest in it. There's nothing quite like it out there, certainly in Europe. Tough and almost like a piece of military equipment. Though I will say that the panel gaps were shockingly bad in parts!
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