Why Tesla Cybertruck look like that | Is the Design Aerodynamically Efficient | Here are 7 reasons You Should Know
Let's face it, the Tesla Cybertruck looks unusual, if not bizarre. However, why does the Tesla Cybertruck appear that way?
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights
- Tesla's Cybertruck was the most talked-about vehicle at last month's Los Angeles Auto Show, despite the fact that it was not even launched there.
- Despite the Cybertruck's boxy, squared-off shape, Musk claims it could achieve a drag coefficient of as little as 0.30 with "great effort.
- With a drag coefficient of 0.23, Tesla's Model 3 car is already exceedingly slippery.
- The firm's Model X utility vehicle is said to have the lowest drag coefficient of any SUV on the market today.
- When fully equipped, the Cybertruck may have a range of more than 500 miles and a time from zero to sixty in less than three seconds.
Advertisement
Tesla's new automotive marvel, the Tesla Cybertruck, captured the world's attention. However, almost everyone had the same question - why does the Tesla Cybertuck look the way it does?
Consider the following reasons:
- Utility over style - this is the guiding principle for all pickup trucks.
- Exoskeleton of the Tesla Cybertruck
- The AISI 300 Series Stainless Steel
- What is cold-rolled stainless steel? What is the purpose of cold-rolled stainless steel on the Cybertruck?
- Tesla's innovative manufacturing process for automobiles
- Cybertruck and Tesla's mission
Tesla's latest electric vehicle is the Cybertruck. To say it's unique would be an understatement and an insult to Tesla's engineers.
The industry discussed the new truck's potential competition with the Ford F-150. Everything was compared, from dimensions to towing capacity to pricing. However, no one compared the styling because it is unmatched. When contrasted artistically, though, almost everyone felt the same way, at least initially; it was hideous.
The public adored the fact that it stood head and shoulders above all other electric trucks. Even when compared to the best-selling trucks, some of which are more expensive, it remains the king; it has a greater towing capacity, a greater payload capacity, and a larger cab size.
However, it all boils down to aesthetics, to the same question: Why does the Tesla Cybertruck look the way it does?
Advertisement
Utility over style - is this the default setting for all pickups?
Without a question, the Cybertruck is avant-garde, futuristic, and, at first impression, resembles the DeDorean's big nasty brother. The standard appearance of a pickup truck has remained same for almost a century; the same huge hood in front housing a high-torque engine, a flatbed in back carrying the load, and a small cabin in the back housing the driver.
There is a purpose for the pickup truck's appearance; the front needs to accommodate the huge engine. The flatbed must accommodate an 84 sheet, and the cabin must, of course, be for the driver. However, because an electric car lacks a conventional engine, why does it require such a huge front end? Remove it; the bed and cabin are required for them to remain.
Is it us or do all pickup trucks look the same
Exoskeleton of a Tesla Cybertruck
Apart from the 'crazy' appearance, the unpainted steel exoskeleton is also noticeable. Tesla even went so far as to develop its own stainless steel alloy, dubbed "Ultra-hard 30X Cold-rolled Stainless Steel" in this case. According to Elon Musk, this is the same steel used on the SpaceX Starship's shell.
Tesla claims that they chose this material for its Starship for the following reasons:
- The stainless steel alloy utilised is less than half the price of the advanced carbon fibre material used as a substitute.
- It is capable of climbing at low cryogenic temperatures.
- It has a high melting point, which is ideal for reentry of the space ship into the atmosphere.
- Although the initial material for the Cybertruck skins was supposed to be titanium, it may be concluded that the stainless steel "30X" is a type of steel grade under the 300 series classification.
It's difficult to see how any of these apply to a pickup truck, but give Tesla the benefit of the doubt.
Cybertruck Interior
Cybertruck Tailgate
Elon Musk at unveiling
Advertisement
The AISI 300 Series Stainless Steel
The 300 series of stainless steel is a subgroup of the austenitic stainless steel family. Austenite steels have a cubic crystal structure with faces. The 300 steel series typically contains 18% chromium, 8% nickel, and 0.1 percent carbon.
Austenite steels provide high corrosion and oxidation resistance over a wide temperature range. They are scratch resistant and feature a nice surface finish. This is beginning to make sense; Tesla appears to have done an excellent job of researching this.
Naturally, there are numerous steels in the 300 series. The type you'll usually find in your kitchen is 304, whereas the type used in industrial applications such as chemical processing is 316. Tesla uses a special variety called 301, which has an excellent corrosion resistance and high strength. Type 301 must be toughened by the cold working method.
Tesla claims to have re-engineered the steel to improve its dent-resistant and 'bullet-proof' qualities, resulting in dent-free and 'bullet-proof' body panels.
Advertisement
What is cold-rolled stainless steel? What is the purpose of cold-rolled stainless steel on the Cybertruck?
To make durable, thin steel sheets, this type of steel is first hot rolled between a succession of rollers. Cold rolling is the next procedure. This is carried out at room temperature and occurs following the hot rolling process in order to attain the desired dimensional accuracy. Additionally, the treatment increases the steel's strength and imparts a good gloss to the surface.
If we examine the stress-strain curve, we may see that the procedure applies stress well above the material's natural elastic deformation limit, also called the yield strength. It converts it to a plastic state, permanently altering the material's plastic structure. Technically speaking, the granular and crystalline structure is stretched and displaced as it passes through the rollers. The finished product has a greater yield strength than normal.
This makes it excellent for the truck's panels, as the increased tension breaking resistance ensures fewer dents from daily use. The disadvantage is that the new steel is more expensive, which means we are unlikely to see it used in cheaper cars.
Tesla's new production procedure for automobiles
The angular overall shape and basic lines of the body panels are what give the Cybertruck its appearance. This appears to be because the material is so hard that it cannot be pressed into curves without damaging the stamping machine. This should be taken with a grain of salt, but it does account for the appearance.
As a result, Tesla developed a 'new' manufacturing process that involved laser cutting the panels. This also means that Tesla was able to streamline and simplify the manufacturing process for the Cybertruck, while maintaining a competitive price point (relatively).
Advertisement
Tesla's Cybertruck and its mission
Whatever Tesla's goal in introducing the Cybertruck was, they succeeded in reshaping the market for the country's best-selling mode of transportation; the aforementioned Ford F-150 is now the best-selling VEHICLE in the country.
Tesla has already taken 250,000 deposits for the Cybertruck. Given that the deposit is only $100, the actual number of sales is likely to be lower, but it demonstrates that the look of this particularly futuristic pickup has captured the imagination of the entire world and rival manufacturers who are rushing to release their own 'futuristic vehicles.'
In conclusion, it is clear that material selection and production considerations had a significant impact on the vehicle's design and aesthetics. For the time being, it appears unlikely that the pickup will be available in any other colours; Musk has indicated that it will be available in matte black, but painting stainless steel is an expensive process – stainless steel, particularly cold-rolled steel, has a much smoother surface than plain steel, which makes paint adhesion difficult. After all, isn't the Cybertruck's entire purpose to stand out from the crowd?
Is the Design Aerodynamically Efficient
While it may appear to be a box on wheels, this equipment may be lot more manoeuvrable than you believe.
Tesla's Cybertruck was the most talked-about vehicle at last month's Los Angeles Auto Show, despite the fact that it was not even launched there. Tug-of-war competitions, smashed windows, and a constant stream of criticism from commentators, enthusiasts, detractors, and memes – not to mention Elon Musk's prodigious Twitter activity – have all contributed to keeping this all-electric pickup at the top of everyone's news feeds.
To add fuel to the fire, Tesla's CEO tweeted over the weekend that his latest design could be quite aerodynamic. Despite the Cybertruck's boxy, squared-off shape, Musk claims it could achieve a drag coefficient of as little as 0.30 with "great effort."
Advertisement
In instance, when the latest-generation Ram 1500 was introduced in model year 2019, FCA claimed it was the most aerodynamic vehicle in the half-ton sector, boasting a drag coefficient as low as 0.357. Active grille shutters, a movable front air dam, and a speed-sensitive air suspension all contribute to the reduction of unwanted drag.
Musk backed up his claim by stating that the Cybertruck could achieve laminar air flow, a state in which layers of a fluid flow relatively freely along a surface, hence reducing drag. This is possible due to the Tesla pickup's smooth belly. By comparison, traditional trucks often have extremely irregular underbodies, with steering components, axles, driveshafts, frame rails, and a plethora of other components contributing to unwanted air resistance when in motion.
Advertisement
Additionally, Musk stated that the Cybertruck's numerous sharp edges can help enhance aerodynamics. Another technique for reducing drag is to carefully direct air around the wheels. The covered freight bed, or vault in Tesla lingo, should also help with efficiency.
Tesla is no stranger to developing aerodynamic cars, and there is no reason why the Cybertruck couldn't be as impressive, even if it does appear to be constructed entirely of Lego. With a drag coefficient of 0.23, Tesla's Model 3 car is already exceedingly slippery. The firm's Model X utility vehicle is said to have the lowest drag coefficient of any SUV on the market today.
To put all of this to the test, the YouTube channel Boats and Engines posted an intriguing video on the Cybertruck's aerodynamics. They ran a model of this vehicle through computational fluid dynamics software to gain a sense of the flow of air around its angular body. The outcomes of this experiment were unexpected. While travelling at 88 mph, a noteworthy speed in popular culture, the video's host thinks that the vehicle's coefficient of drag is likely about 0.30, which is consistent with Tesla's assertion. If you have some extra time, take a look at the video; it's not that long.
Advertisement
Sleek body design is critical for boosting vehicle efficiency and capability. When fully equipped, the Cybertruck may have a range of more than 500 miles and a time from zero to sixty in less than three seconds. Additionally, it is capable of towing up to 14,000 pounds.
Tesla did not immediately answer to Roadshow's request for comment on the Cybertruck's aerodynamics.
Let us know what you think of the Cybertrucks' appearance - is it obnoxious or futuristic?
Advertisement