Tesla Cybertruck Design Flaws, Malfunctions Revealed in Leaked Report

Jan 01, 2024 07:10 AM EST

TESLA CYBERTRUCK ON THE ROAD — (Photo : PEXELS/ Stephen Leonardi)

Tesla Cybertruck's enigmatic allure transcends conventional automotive fascination, embodying a bold fusion of innovation and controversy. The electric pickup's divisive appearance and future promises sparked global debate. Its angular, stainless-steel exoskeleton and purported bulletproof design sparked debates while magnetizing a devoted following drawn to its audacious departure from traditional truck design.

Is Tesla Cybetruck What It Claims to Be

Elon Musk tweeted "Been driving latest Cybertruck prototype around Giga Texas. It's awesome That was last year, January 25. Through X, the billionaire, owner of Tesla, promoted the company's latest venture.

Meanwhile, according to Top Gear Tesla Cybertruck is actively marketed as being able to withstand bullets.During the handover party last month, a video was unveiled showcasing the Cybertruck being shot with a tommy gun. Certain panel edges were noted to pose potential danger; although no injury occurred, there were concerns that someone might get hurt.

Additionally, criticisms were raised regarding the over-sensitive steer-by-wire and four-wheel steering system, particularly at low speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the individual expressing these observations still harbors a positive inclination toward the vehicle.

Tesla Cybertruck's popularity cannot be stopped. Whether the attention it gets is on a positive or a negative side. Recently, once again this unconventional vehicle was on the spotlight.

In May, the German newspaper Handelsblatt initiated coverage on the "Tesla Files," consisting of numerous internal documents disclosed by a whistleblower. Among these documents was an engineering report that potentially sheds light on the extended duration for the vehicle's market debut.

Dated January 25, 2022, and reviewed by WIRED, the report highlights persistent challenges in the preproduction "alpha" model of the Cybertruck, encompassing issues with suspension, body sealing, noise levels, handling, and braking.

As shred on WIRED, the report's findings don't deliver a fatal blow to Tesla Cybertruck. According to a seasoned automotive engineer, speaking anonymously to avoid backlash from Tesla enthusiasts, the company's substantial financial backing enables them to tackle the outlined issues.

The engineer expressed astonishment, remarking, "I'm amazed. These are standard mechanical engineering challenges present in almost every vehicle. He thought it's astonishing that Tesla is encountering such difficulties with the fundamentals."

Issue: Other Alleged Flaws and Malfunction

The leaked report to Handelsblatt regarding the Tesla Cybertruck's internal dynamics and NVH-noise, vibration, and harshness-includes test outcomes comparing the alpha version's performance against computer-aided design (CAD) predictions and internal benchmarks. It essentially shows a prototype with subpar handling and braking capabilities, excessive noise, and leakage.

Within the leaked report, Kinematics and Compliance (K&C) testing is discussed, which checks how well a car rides and handles. This test includes fixing the body of the vehicle and controlling the forces or movements that affect the wheels. From a straight-ahead position, the data shows suspension factors like camber and toe, which show how the wheels are aligned. While testing the alpha Cybertruck, the report showed a big performance gap compared to what was expected.

Meanwhile, Andy Palmer, a veteran with over 40 years in the automotive industry, commented on the alpha-stage Cybertruck, noting that it's expected to deviate from its targets at this phase. He was he former COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda.

Palmer was surprised by how honest the report was, saying that engineers usually wouldn't write down such details and would instead choose a different way to deal with these problems.