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The Cybertruck has already garnered a lot of attention, one of the talking points has been the raw stainless steel look. While there are a lot of features I love about the Tesla Cybertruck, personally I love a bit of color.
One of the biggest questions regarding its appearance has been whether it will have a painted exterior option. In the beginning, Tesla does not plan to have a paint option but as production ramps up color options will likely be introduced.
While we are so used to seeing vehicles with a shiny mainly colorful exterior, let’s face it, the Tesla Cybertruck already looks quite futuristic in design so the raw, stainless steel exterior does not look out of place. It may even lose a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ as a bright red or jaguar-green vehicle cruising down the road.
What Was The Inspiration For The Cybertruck?
According to Elon Musk, the inspiration came from the James Bond movie, “The Spy Who Loved Me” which saw a 1976 Lotus Esprit engage in an animated car chase across Sardinia before Bond manages to evade his pursuers and drives off a jetty with the car converting into a submarine.
The Cybertruck will have this covered with the Cybercat accessory kit that turns the Cybertruck into an all-electric amphibious catamaran. In my eyes, though, it is something that resembles the car out of Back to the Future but just a bit sleeker and more robust.
That is not to say Cybertruck is not going to showcase the best of technology with the brute strength of a pickup – it is. However, for me, it is the raw appearance of the car that gives that impression of some futuristic movie.
I am not alone in my thoughts. Many a Tesla enthusiast has commented, debated, and speculated about the color of the Cybertruck. We have had plenty of information about the materials that were being utilized for this model but the dramatic, stainless steel appearance attracted as much attention.
What Are Some Of The Features Of The Tesla Cybertruck?
The all-wheel-drive Cybertruck will have the ability to tow up to 14,000 pounds and have an estimated driving range of over 500 miles. There will be the option for a three-electric-motor model, which will have an all-wheel drive.
While the single-motor option will have rear-wheel drive. Regardless of the type of electric motor, a well-maintained electric motor can have an operating life of up to 30,000 hours without the need for major repairs, meaning they require less maintenance than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
According to Tesla, the single-motor Cybertruck will be able to go from zero to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds, the dual-motor model in 4.5 seconds, and the three-motor model in 2.9 seconds.
All models will have an adjustable air suspension that will have the ability to be raised or lowered on the flu and will provide as much as 16 inches of ground clearance.
Why Is The Stainless Steel Bodywork Getting Attention?
Firstly, we are used to seeing a variety of colors on cars on the road, and for some, choosing the color of your car can show off a bit of your personality and provide a chance to be a bit more individual.
Nonetheless, I think part of the Cybertruck’s charm is its raw what-you-see-is-what-you-get appearance. Tesla has been keen to elaborate on the details of the stainless steel that is being used in the Cybertruck, which the Starship spacecraft also has. It is scratch and dent resistance, and rust-resistant.
Will The Cybertruck Be Painted?
When queried on whether there will be paint options, Elon Musk responded by saying that “it will come in every color as long as it’s nothing.” Certainly, at first, Tesla does not plan to offer any color or wrap for the Cybertruck.
It has been noted that steel, although it can be made to have different colors, does have limitations and cannot always be painted very well. Musk has suggested that in order to have the pickup truck in any other color, they will need need to apply a wrap to the Cybertruck.
It is thought that Tesla will not offer this as a service as it has historically relied on third-party suppliers and installers. However, Tesla did launch its own car wrap service in five cities in China in the delivery centers. It is possible that this will be extended to other countries in the future.
Some Tesla car owners have wrapped their car because it offers a variety of different color options since Tesla has reduced the number of options for colors with the aim to streamline production and better facilitate repairs.
What About Tempering The Stainless Steel?
Since the Cybertruck is being built with cold-rolled stainless steel, the possibility of it being tempered has been discussed among the Tesla community. There is quite a wide spectrum of colors that can be achieved by tempering stainless steel from bright silvers through to yellow and orange, then to purples, blues and greens.
When responding to a tweet about the possible colors which could be achieved by tempering the stainless steel, Musk responded by saying he would choose “Blue Steel,” a reference to the film Zoolander.
It is very unlikely this will be offered to customers by Tesla but you can bet it will be explored by other companies as an aftermarket service. Some are already suggesting the possibility of using a laser to only heat parts of the stainless steel to create a pattern like a tattoo.
What Are The Possible Downsides Of Tempering Stainless Steel?
While Elon Musk has responded on Twitter saying tempering the stainless steel to achieve different colors would be possible, some of the Tesla community have voiced their opinions on why it might not be a good idea.
One such person commented that the colored metal surface is not resistant to rust. This can apparently be restored using an acid paste that restores the original layer of chromium oxide.
Another reason that has been voiced by the community is that tempering the stainless steel could possibly make it weaker. Based on the fact that the Tesla Cybertruck is being designed for strength and durability, this may warrant further investigation.
There is certainly a wide range of views on the matter in the Tesla community and it is not clear whether the level of validity in these claims. Further clarity would be needed.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Wrapping Cars?
Pros:
- Protects the vehicle’s exterior and can help prevent rust
- A non-permanent solution to change the color of the car
- The product can be easily removed unlike automotive paint
- Does not affect the validity of a warranty or lease agreement
- Cheaper solution compared to other solutions
Cons:
- The potential risk of damage being caused to the exterior of a vehicle when the wrap is removed
- Most manufacturers or wrap installers do not offer guarantees against damage
While I agree that the raw stainless steel appearance fits in with the overall look of the pickup truck, I can see why some people may want a colored version. Tesla has confirmed they will not offer painted options, certainly not at first.
Wrapping is an option that has been explored but this would be an aftermarket third-party service, not one offered by Tesla. Wrapping definitely has some benefits and may prove a popular option when the Tesla Cybertruck becomes available next year.
Another option that is being tinkered with is the possibility of tethering the steel. While it is thought to be possible, again we will have to see how this possibility develops. For now, though, we must assume the Tesla Cybertruck will come exactly as pictured with its dramatic stainless steel look.