Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla recently disclosed insights into the rapid development of its Cybertruck, shedding light on the ambitious timeline and unique design inspirations behind the unconventional vehicle.
In an interview with Top Gear, Tesla’s chief designer, Franz Von Holzhausen, and VP of engineering, Lars Moravy, revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk set an extraordinary challenge for the team – to build the first prototype of the Cybertruck in just 90 days. This accelerated timeline aimed to drive swift decision-making within the team.
Moravy explained, “Elon wanted the first prototype in 90 days… When you have 90 days to build a prototype, there’s no time to argue. You just got to pick the best thing and go.” Ultimately, the team completed the alpha build in 93 days.
The genesis of the Cybertruck dates back to discussions within Tesla several years ago about the need for a pickup truck. Franz mentioned that early on, the design team explored existing pickup truck designs in the market but found them to be relatively similar without distinctive features.
During the planning phase, the team drew inspiration from various sources, including Elon Musk’s Lotus Esprit, Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, and the Lamborghini Countach. Franz described the initial design exploration as a journey through different ideas until they secretly started working on something “radically different” – a simplistic, low-resolution-looking truck.
After obtaining approval for the design, the team faced the challenge of meeting Musk’s 90-day deadline for the first prototype. Moravy and his team initially experimented with aluminum for several prototypes, but Musk’s preference for “Hard Freaking Stainless” (HFS), Tesla’s proprietary amalgam, prevailed due to its durability against dents and scratches.
The concept version of the Cybertruck, known for its polarizing design, was unveiled in November 2019. While the exact timeline of the initial work on the truck remains unclear, Musk had previously announced in December 2017 that Tesla would build a pickup after the production of the Model Y.
Now, after four years since the concept’s debut, Tesla has successfully delivered the first units to customers, showcasing the unique and enduring design that has maintained its distinctive appeal.
