Cybertruck

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sports Car

It's easy to criticize the Tesla Cybertruck from our sofas or behind our laptop screens. Its angular design looks like it's from another planet, it doesn't look safe for pedestrians, and there are numerous upcoming electric trucks that are simply easier on the eye.

But what do qualified, trained automotive designers think about it? Well, Frank Stephenson - one of the most prolific of them all - recently posted a new video deconstructing the Cybertruck's design. Remember, this is the guy who created the McLaren P1, the first-gen BMW X5, and the Ferrari F430, so he knows what he's talking about.

Unfortunately, Elon Musk won't be happy with what he has to say.

Early in the clip, Stephenson is concerned about how dated he expects the Cybertruck could be not long after its release. He used an analogy of Playstation video game graphics aging over time to prove his point. Stephenson then pointed to the Citroen Karin, a similarly angular concept car from 1980, which he claims looks even more futuristic than the far newer Cybertruck - ouch.

He then compares the Cybertruck's cabin with the Karin's, and here he says that the Citroen looks far more welcoming and warm, whereas the Tesla just leaves him cold and comes across as sterile.

Stephenson's criticism continued with the now-infamous "bulletproof" glass display. He feels that heavily promoting the Cybertruck's security features reveals the insecurity of the basic design.

So, what does Stephenson think the Cybertruck should have been? He pointed to the recently unveiled Buick Electra concept. Although distinctly futuristic, Stephenson much prefers the Electra's softer, more organic lines which he views as a much more successful interpretation of future car design.

In summary, then, one of the most successful car designers had virtually no praise for the Tesla Cybertruck, but this same repulsion could end up being the reason that thousands of people buy one anyway.