Tesla’s new Cybertruck launch goes viral after armoured glass shatters during Elon Musk’s demo

During the unveiling of Tesla's new offering, Elon Musk bragged about the vehicle's strength and first asked a volunteer to smash the vehicle's door with a sledgehammer. Then came a demonstration to highlight the strength of the armoured glass used in the windows.

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The geometric design triggered hilarious comparisons online.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc unveiled the company’s new truck called Cybertruck in a grand event in Los Angeles, California with the vehicle expected to put pressure on other carmakers. However, the event didn’t go as planned, after two of the truck’s armoured glass windows cracked during a demonstration of their strength.

During the unveiling of Tesla’s new offering, Musk bragged about the vehicle’s strength and first asked a volunteer to smash the vehicle’s door with a sledgehammer. Then came a demonstration to highlight the strength of the armoured glass used in the windows.

The first throw caused the window to break into a spiderweb and an expletive was audibly heard at the Tesla Design Center. As Musk’s assistant laughed nervously, the billionaire said: “Well, maybe that was a little too hard.”

Then came a second attempt, in which the ball bearing was thrown at the rear window. It didn’t go any better, and that window was also badly damaged. “It didn’t go through,” said Musk, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

However, he then had to continue with rest of the presentation with the damaged vehicle behind him, with the image going viral.

Smash hit?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils the all-electric battery-powered Tesla Cybertruck in California – but the demonstration of the armored-glass didn’t go entirely to plan pic.twitter.com/B8JCoKmQKC

— AFP news agency (@AFP) November 22, 2019

But that wasn’t the only talking point. To go on sale with a starting price of $39,900, the truck’s sharp geometric shape inspired many memes online. Musk had earlier tweeted the design was partly influenced by the Lotus Esprit sportscar that doubled as a submarine in the 1970s 007 film “The Spy Who Loved Me”.

#Cybertruck was the biggest trend on Twitter globally, with plenty of opinions mocking the design of the car. Sample these:

You vs the guy she told you not to worry about pic.twitter.com/rpqNCmKJqO

— John Wenz (@johnwenz) November 22, 2019

When a DeLorean and an El Camino love each other very much… #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/ZWO3N6gpBA

— Nicholas Edmonds (@Topl_NickE) November 22, 2019

The self-driving post-apocalyptic kitchen of tomorrow, today!#cybertruck pic.twitter.com/XH36lka6jb

— Kieran Huggins (@kieran) November 22, 2019

I think the #Cybertruck looks pretty cool pic.twitter.com/uYcrUmzVOO

— Dr. Mac Arthur Ge.D. (@DoctorMacArthur) November 22, 2019

Just found in Elon Musk’s childhood scrapbook… #cybertruck pic.twitter.com/NYmbGXfRPw

— Greg Bohn (@gregbohn) November 22, 2019

i’m gonna tell my kids this was the new tesla #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/7ctpzQZuEa

— yadeer (@yadeer_) November 22, 2019

Elon: ….andddd print.#Cybertruck #CYBRTRK pic.twitter.com/MMNO8Na03c

— Ni (@Avo_NP) November 22, 2019

Please tell me it was a joke… #Cybertruck #tesla @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/83dZjemZOT

— Kaden bailey 🐏 (@Kaden_Bailey16) November 22, 2019

My first and only thought about the #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/JYffCYGJBT

— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) November 22, 2019

Im gonna tell my kids this is the #Cybertruck pic.twitter.com/7UuVfE3SDf

— Joe Scibelli (@JoeScibelli) November 22, 2019

Me showing off my presentation in high school #cybertruck pic.twitter.com/2zNhr0LoBm

— hawthornedude (@hawthornedude) November 22, 2019

When I trust someone with my feelings 😔 #Cybertruck #Tesla pic.twitter.com/5Y3cktwTxq

— Rafa (@rafadl_) November 22, 2019

According to the company, the base version of the Cybertruck, with a single motor, is good for 250 miles of range, a tow rating of 7,500 pounds, and a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.

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A dual motor version priced at $49,000 can tow 10,000 pounds and reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, with 300 miles of range. And the top of the line module, at a whopping price of $69,900, will go more than 500 miles between charges, hit 60 mph in under 60 seconds, tow up to 14,000 pounds.

However, fans have to wait for two years as Tesla will start production in late 2022.