Leno went on to praise the Cybertruck’s acceleration, saying it’s “as fast as a Plaid”
December 11, 2023 at 21:41
Now that the Tesla Cybertruck has finally arrived after years of anticipation, we’re starting to hear about how it performs in the real world. One of the most well-known voices in the industry, Jay Leno, has shared some first quick thoughts on the polarizing truck , and he had positive things to say.
In a video shared to X, Leno was spotted driving down the street in a Cybertruck when he was approached by some fans. He clarified that it wasn’t his personal ride, but rather a borrowed one. When asked if it belonged to Elon Musk, he explained that it belongs to a friend of his and is chassis #5, meaning his friend was likely one of the fortunate few who received their truck at Tesla’s Delivery Event last month.
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Leno then proceeded to offer an unsolicited testimonial of the truck, describing it as “incredible” and comparing its speed to that of a Model S Plaid. While the Cybertruck’s claimed 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time of 2.6 seconds is slightly slower than the Model S Plaid’s 1.99-second time, Leno’s point was clear. Achieving a 2.6-second acceleration in a 6,843-pound (3,104-kg) truck with all-terrain tires is impressive, especially considering it has “only” 845 hp (857 PS / 630 kW) and 686 lb-ft (930 Nm) of torque, compared to the Plaid’s 1,020 hp (1,034 PS / 761 kW) and 1,050 lb-ft (1,424 Nm) of torque.
See Also: First Tesla Cybertruck Reviews Are In, Here’s What They’re Saying
While very few people have gone on the record doubting the Cybertruck’s performance, it has rightfully received a fair share of criticism for its unconventional looks and questionable safety.
Would the truck have garnered as much press as it did without the razor-sharp design, even with the same performance? Would there still be videos in which people take out their phones to record simply because they’re drawn to the doorstop-shaped oddity they see driving next to them? Probably not, but it also would’ve likely resulted in the truck (and Tesla) receiving a lot less negative feedback on the design and much less doubt surrounding its ability to protect passengers and pedestrians.