Tesla Cybertruck is at Petersen Museum, so we Took Lots of Photos

The highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles for a limited engagement, giving fans their first up-close look at the futuristic electric pickup. With its triangular exterior, stainless steel body, and unconventional design, the Cybertruck concept on display has been polarizing yet intriguing since its 2019 reveal. We took a trip to the museum to view the truck in person and captured all the unique angles with an extensive photo walkaround.

Overview of the Cybertruck’s Museum Display

• The Cybertruck is part of the Petersen Museum’s “Driving Toward a Different Future” exhibit.
• It marks the truck’s first public viewing outside of Tesla’s private events.
• The museum display is an early Cybertruck prototype model.
• It provides the best look yet at the truck’s radical stainless steel exoskeleton styling.
• Fans can view the Cybertruck up close through May 2023 based on the exhibit timeline.

Exterior Design and Styling

The Cybertruck on display embodies founder Elon Musk’s vision:

• Angular geometric exterior shape unlike any other pickup truck.
• Constructed from ultra hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel.
• Low profile greenhouse with straight lines across the cabin.
• LED light bar stretched across front in lieu of a grille.
• Firm, pointed front end giving way to a trapezoidal greenhouse.
• Stamped steel panels overlap to form the exterior shell.
• Features armored glass said to be shatterproof, though durability came into question when glass cracked at the original reveal after metal ball was thrown at truck on stage.

Interior and Bed

Within the exterior shell, the Cybertruck offers roominess and utility:

• Interior styling follows the triangular exterior cues.
• Dashboard is clean with floating central touchscreen display.
• Steel interior surfaces matched to the external stainless steel.
• First and second row seating for up to six adults.
• Rear seats that fold up to open a large storage area.
• Bed measures over 6 feet long, useful for hauling large items.
• Features built-in ramps on the bed sides for loading equipment like ATVs.
• Truck bed is 4 feet wide, wider than most competitors.

Engineering and Technology

The Cybertruck aims to deliver extreme capability:

• Powered by three electric motors for four-wheel drive and torque vectoring.
• Ultra strong exoskeleton body provides structural rigidity with resistance to dents and damage.
• 0 to 60 mph acceleration under 2.9 seconds at the top specification.
• Can reportedly tow over 14,000 pounds.
• Proposed adaptive air suspension adjustable up to 16 inches for off-roading.
• Battery technology not yet confirmed but could leverage new 4680 cells and structural packs.
• Display model features side cameras replacing traditional mirrors. Unclear if this will reach production.

Cybertruck Milestones So Far

Key timeline highlights for the Cybertruck program:

• November 2019 – Tesla reveals the Cybertruck at its Design Center in Hawthorne, California with Elon Musk. Immediately polarizing reactions pour in.
• November 2019 – Over 250,000 pre-orders are received within a week of the unveiling despite no pricing or final production plans shared.
• September 2022 – First Cybertruck prototype is spotted road testing near Tesla’s Fremont factory in California, confirming the program remains in development.
• November 2022 – A Cybertruck Beta prototype is showcased at the Petersen Museum, giving the public its first in-person viewing of the truck.
• 2023 – Tesla aims to put the Cybertruck into volume production from its Austin Gigafactory though exact timing remains unconfirmed. Pricing details are also still forthcoming.

The Cybertruck on Display at the Museum

Our firsthand impressions visiting the Cybertruck prototype:

• The sheer size and angularity stand out up close relative to traditional trucks.
• The stainless steel has a chrome-like luster though may appear different in production form.
• The pointy front end has an aggressive, futuristic stance. The headlights are subtle.
• The view inside is sparse but shows the floating central touchscreen and the steel-like finish.
• The truck really makes use of the full frame leaving no wasted space. The proportions optimize interior room.
• Build quality on the prototype is rough but signs of craftsmanship are emerging. The production version promises to look more refined.
• For its size, the Cybertruck appears nimble and drivable rather than clunky.

Cybertruck Photos From Our Museum Visit

We captured the following photography angles highlighting the Cybertruck’s distinctive design from multiple perspectives:

• Front end with Kamikaze logo and horizontal LED bar
• Side profile emphasizing the angular greenhouse
• Looking into the sparse driver cabin area
• Taillights that span the rear and form signature T
• The fold-out ramps built into the sides of the truck bed
• The interior from both the driver and passenger seats
• The massive scale of the vehicle relative to humans
• The riveted stainless steel exoskeleton that forms the exterior

The Bottom Line

Viewing the early Cybertruck prototype in person helps bring Elon Musk’s radical vision into clearer focus. The exterior styling lives up to the brash and futuristic teasers that Tesla has shared. However, there are still lingering questions around just how much of the concept will reach production given its boundary-pushing nature. The Petersen Museum display provides the first glimpse at seeing just how bold Tesla wishes to be with its Cybertruck, even as it invites skeptical curiosity from observers.