UPDATE: I was so fascinated by these videos, I went to Walmart and purchased cans of Sprayway Glass Cleaner with Foaming Action for $2.48 per spray bottle. I used a total of 5 clean Costco microfiber towels, and one entire bottle of Sprayway. It did an amazing job, and made the CyberTruck look brand spanking new!!!! This was after having not washed it for a month. All, in it took about 45 minutes, and it started raining just as I finished up. After I got done dialing in cleaning all the stainless panels and windows, I took the saturated Costco microfiber towels, and used them to wipe down the Core Wheel Hubcaps and tires, which also looked great.
So the bottom line, is that for $2.50, and 6 Clean Microfiber towels, and 40 minutes of time I was able to perfectly able to clean my CyberTruck and make it look perfect. The coolest aspect is that I didn't have to mix anything, or use sponges or buckets. My CyberTruck was pretty dirty when I started out, and in the future I will experiment more with this brilliant method, and update this article accordingly.
For the record, a few days after I took delivery I tried cleaning my CyberTruck with Windex after noticing a comment on a CyberTruck forum from somebody saying they liked how good of job it did. I tried using the Windex, but noticed it left some streaking, which the Sprayway did NOT.
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I just watched this video, and it blew my mind. I plan to try it out, and will publish my results once I have had the chance to experiment with this product. When I had a Model S, I was always preoccupied with the paint, not only cleaning it all the time, but was always freaked out about the paint getting scratched, as well as door dings. With the CyberTruck, that is not an issue at all, and since the CyberTruck is silver, or grey, it's essentially the color of dust, so it stays far cleaner looking than any other color.
My Model S was blue, which was beautiful, but it was a magnet for dust, and dirt. Chris Rock, famously once quipped, when it comes to women, there are women that are high maintenance and low maintenance. I say, keep them both away from me. What I want is NO MAINTENANCE!!!! And that's the greatest takeaway when it comes to the way it looks. It's a truck, and thus I don't really care what it looks like...
Mediocrity sets in when you stay in your comfort zone.
Tesla just released the new "Diet" Model Y and Model 3, and I am NOT impressed. I think Tesla trying to move downmarket is a big mistake as these stripped down models lose their mojo. It's like John Travolta once said "If you are going to have a chocolate chip cookie, have a chocolate chip cookie." Nobody wants a diet chocolate chip cookie with 3 chocolate chips.
Ironically, the new cheap seat underwhelming Model Y also lacks Autopilot as a standard feature, which has everybody scratching their heads, as this makes zero sense. I mean this model is completely stripped own and lacks even power folding mirrors, and they even removed the power seat controls from the seat side, and now require the user to go into a screen menu setting to move the seats.
This new Model Y is super slow doing 0-60MPH in 6.8 seconds, which is horrendously slow for a Tesla, let alone any electric vehicle!?!! This poor performance unfortunately puts the overall acceleration way out of the ideal Goldilocks zone, thus making it more than twice as slow as the Performance Model Y, which does 0-60MPH in only 3.3 seconds, which is impressive!!!
Tesla also removed the standard dual pane windows and replaced them with single pane, and despite keeping the glass roof, strangely covered it with a headliner.
For the record, when Tesla decided to make a stripped down CyberTruck that nobody wanted or purchased, it cost a lot of R&D money to make all the custom changes, like the super goofy new tonneau cover, which ended up being a complete waste of precious time and resources for Tesla.
In my opinion, these stripped down models are just another pathetic cash-grab from Tesla, which is very short sighted. I recall the Porsche 912, which was a 4 cylinder 911, that didn't last long either, and that's for a reason.
With the watered down 2WD CyberTruck, Tesla was like, "Hey, we lowered the price by $10K!!!!" and I was like, "Yeah, but you removed $20K worth of cool features!?!!"
Same thing here. Tesla lowered the price by $5k, and easily removed $10K worth of features. All I see here is "Cash Grab, Cash Grab, Cash Grab!!!!" and I don't like this cheap strategy. In the early days of Tesla, they would include all these extra features and accessories, like including a charging cable, which they now charge separately for.
They even used to include a free electric kids Tesla with the purchase of a Model S or Model Y, but not anymore. Now they charge for EVERYTHING, which is fine so long as they are not charging to take away useful features, which is the case with the new stripped down Model Y and Model 3. I did predict immediately that Tesla would discontinue the stripped down 2WD CyberTruck, and I was right, as they did.
Do I think they are going to discontinue these stripped down new Model Y and Model 3 vehicles? It's hard to say, but I think they will definitely lower the price on them soon. For instance, the new Standard RWD Model Y, now starts at $39,990, and I would not be surprised within 4 months from its introduction (in Q1 of 2026) the price gets dropped down $10K to $29,990.
On a positive note, I will say I like the aesthetic of the new Model Y better which lacks the CyberTruck-like lightbar. I think removing the lightbar gives it a cleaner, more minimalist look and vibe. On a negative note, cloth seats, YUUUUUUUUCK!!!! In my opinion, as a designer, I think Tesla should focus its energy on adding valuable features, not taking them away. Tesla is great at making cars that surprise and delight and inspire and push the envelope. Vehicles that people aspire to own. Not uninspiring mediocre crap cars.
If I had to sum up these new models in one word, I would say "Booooooooring!?!!" Tesla should only seek to surprise and delight, not to deliver ultra boring and uninspiring vehicles that are stripped down. These new models offer features nobody is asking for or wants. Tesla should focus all of its energy on innovating and raising the bar, not on going backwards, by seriously dumbing down their vehicles.
That article really made me think about what the next step will likely be after that vehicle is launched, and a few days later I wrote a follow-up story named: "Thoughts On The Future of Autonomous Vehicles: The Shape of Things to Come: Part 2: 2030 Predictions, CyberVAN Autonomous Tesla Transport Design Concept by Jake Ehrlich." I am extremely proud of that article as I genuinely believe it offers an amazing modular design opportunity for Tesla, which I think could be extremely successful, as far as an ultimate CyberVAN design. This made me think, "If Tesla comes out with a completely autonomous VAN, wouldn't it make sense to do the same think by replacing the current CyberTruck model with one that also lacks a steering wheel, as well as forward facing front seats? This article shows my idea of what I believe such a vehicle will look like.
This 2028 CyberTruck is designed to overcome all the challenges and limitations of the original CyberTruck, so for instance it has a pass through bed gate, that can access the cabin. There is no tonneau cover to block the rear view camera. This is a Truck designed to behave and perform 100% as a truck. Even though the original CyberTruck has a 4x6 bed, the bed on this model could be extended inward to accommodate 4x8 panels with the tailgate closed.
I would argue the current CyberTruck is far more of a hybrid SUV/Truck, than an actual truck, and this new model is designed to be just a truck. My design kind of reminds me of a vintage Chevrolet El Camino.
Since it has a normal bed, it's easy to access all around, unlike the CyberTruck, and in with the last image above it features an optional Camper Shell. My design reference above is identical in height, length and width to the Current CyberTruck.
My personal preference would be my CyberVAN design for certain, but I think there is and will continue to be a large addressable market for customers who LOVE trucks with flatbeds in the back, and that is what this version would be for. Ironically, it could share far more that 90% of it's components with the CyberVAN, but just be a different option…
If you look closely, this version of the CyberTruck I designed only has one door, which is pretty large and wide, which seems to add to its simplicity. I think the design looks so cool, and I like the simplicity of the single door so much, I could see how such a design profile might be better than my original CyberVAN design, which had two doors on each side. In other words, since the silhouette is so similar, I could see my original CyberVAN having the single door and overall silhouette of this vehicle, which looks so cool, practical and simple.
Tesla cancelled the Rear Wheel Drive CyberTruck, and I say, good riddance, to bad rubbish!!! Coming out with such a joke of a vehicle was probably Tesla's greatest blunder to date, right up there with the Fabergé egg Falcon Wing Doors on the Model X. If you are a reader of Jake's Tesla World, you may already be familiar with my review of the specs for the 2WD CyberTruck, I published back in April named "My Take on the New Rear Wheel Drive CyberTruck: A HUGE & PATHETIC Step Backward." In that detailed article I delineated in great detail, how and why Tesla poured gasoline all over the CyberTruck fire by introducing such a pathetically stripped down model.
I want to set the record straight. I am the president of the Tesla Fan Club. I believe Teslas are the best cars ever made, and I strongly believe the CyberTruck is by far and away the best designed vehicle ever brought to market. That beings said, Tesla made many blunderous mistakes with the launch of the CyberTruck. First and foremost, they overpromised and underdelivered. Why? For what reason??? They got greedy and overconfident, and instead of investing ahead of the curve, they ended up driving it into the ground.
Tesla could have EASILY delivered on every Cybertruck promise—price, range, everything. With over a million preorders, sticking to the original $39,900-$69,900 prices could’ve led to 300,000+ sales instead of just 46,000. At an average of $54,000 per truck, that’s $16 billion in revenue, not the $4 billion from selling fewer at $86,000 each. That’s $12 billion missed! They’d own the EV truck market, keep customers thrilled, and maintain huge demand, making up for any short-term profit hit with massive long-term success.
That's the bad news, and so much for looking in the rear-view mirror. The great news is I am certain Tesla can recover from these EPIC blunders, and here is how:
It's Time to Simplify The CyberTruck
First, discontinue the CyberBeast, which is unnecessary and accounts for less than 10% of sales and production. The front motor in the CyberBeast is always engaged, causing excessive noise and vibration. In contrast, the AWD CyberTuck has the rear motor always engaged, resulting in significantly reduced noise.
Similar to the Plaid Model S and X, the CyberBeast is a cash grab that prioritizes symbolism over substance—appealing to those with more dollars than sense. Tesla should focus on delivering great value and delight, not on flashy, impractical performance that no one truly needs or uses. It’s ironic these overpriced 'Plaid' and 'Beast' models perform best when using Full Self-Driving (FSD), which actually slows them down significantly.
Tesla should make one vehicle named the CyberTruck. Focus on optimizing every aspect of its performance, luxury, and range. In other words, I am certain Tesla can get the 0-60 MPH down to 3.5 seconds in the AWD, and I am certain they can boost the range to 500 miles—easily.
This is what people want—not a stripped-down 'Where's the beef' CyberMut with cloth seats, or an external battery in the bed that destroys 1/3 of the bed capacity!?!!
Tesla should work on upgrading the interior of the CyberTruck by fixing the ultra-HORRIBLE rearview mirror system and enhancing the interior by adding massage seats. So long as the CyberTruck is sold with a steering wheel, add back the turning indicator stalk and add a screen in front of the steering wheel like the current S and X have.
Also, if you have watched the evolution of all Tesla models on Tesla.com in relation to vehicle ordering options, you will notice they have kept simplifying and limiting options, and discontinuing the Plaid models and Beast would be a natural extension of this logic...Simplify, Simplify, Simplify...
No Such Thing as Free Supercharging
Here is what Elon and Tesla don't get: The reason why people want a CyberTruck is because they want the best truck ever made, and I believe they are willing to pay for it. As an example, if Tesla offered a 500-mile range CyberTruck with a turning stalk and a screen above the steering wheel, along with massage seats, I would gladly pay $100K for it. What I don't want is to have a 'Luxe' package crammed down my throat, that costs an extra $15K, that includes FSD prepaid for 6.5 years, along with 'Free' Supercharging I will never use.
I don't know what the actual metrics are for 'free' supercharging utilization, but I am certain it has long been a profit center for Tesla. In other words, on the multiple Tesla models I have owned, that came with 'free' supercharging, I probably used less than $1000 worth of electricity, as I typically charge at home, as do the vast majority of customers. Tesla knows this, but apparently thinks we are stupid. Also, the 'Free' Supercharging is only extended to the original owner, and is not included when the car is resold, so if you buy a Tesla today with 'free' lifetime supercharging, you essentially pay $5k for it, but if you sell or trade in the car a year or two later, that $5K you paid disappears.
I've said it before, and I will say it again, I believe the CyberTruck is the best car ever made in the world to date, but the real question, is it the best version of itself, and the answer is no. Tesla ran the ball down to the 2-yard line and stopped, which was a terrible mistake. My advice to Tesla is to make the CyberTruck the absolute best version it can be of itself and leave it at that.
If you want to learn much more about my thoughts on the future of Tesla and the Cyber Platform, just continue on and check out the next three stories that I published before this one.
On the CyberTruck I took the liberty of adding my JAKEe rear sail panel, which I think makes the CyberTruck look a million times better. I came up with the idea to do that and published it 6 years ago, and ever since then have thought adding that element makes the CyberTruck look complete.
Another reason I was compelled to complete this graphic, beside it looking really cool, is it shows that both my 2026 and 2028 CyberVAN concept designs are profoundly identical in height, length, width and wheelbase to the current CyberTruck, and thus I assume would cost about the same amount to manufacture.
Back in 2022 Elon Musk Tweeted "Maybe Tesla should make a highly configurable RoboVan for people and cargo?" Musk also hinted that a RoboVan would be bigger than a Model X when he attended a Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley confab, and on an earnings call he said "Tesla is definitely going to make an electric van at some point."
On October 10, 2024 Tesla showed off their Robovan concept at an event named "We Robot", which is super cool and designed to carry up to 20 passengers as seen below. I think the Tesla Robovan is awesome, but much larger than most families would want, need or require. Also, since my CyberVAN is identical to a CyberTruck in length, width, height and wheelbase, it could be parked in a standard garage, where the RoboVAN definitely could NOT be parked in a standard size home garage. I created the graphic below which shows the scale difference in between my Tesla CyberVAN concept (front), and Tesla's RoboVAN (rear).
Update: September 27, 2025: I recently started noticing these new FedEx electric delivery vans all over the place, an could not help but notice the silhouette is very similar to the RoboVAN pictured above.
I couldn't resist the temptation to see what my CyberVan would look like beside the FedEx Electric Delivery can, so I created this graphic. By the way, I think the new FedEx deliver van looks AMAZING!!!!!
Five years ago, Back in 2020, here on TeslaMagazine.org, I wrote an article titled "Thoughts On The Future of Autonomous Vehicles: The Shape of Things To Come", where I shared my outlook on where things would go over the next 10 years. This is an updated version of that story, which continues exploring down that same road. Several days ago I published a fascinating story named "When Will Tesla Launch CyberVAN/CyberSUV? A vehicle that can resurrect the Cyber Platform" and I must admit it completely freaked me out, in a remarkably positive way!!! This is a follow up story that takes things much further—arguably to the logical inevitable final perfect design state.
CyberVAN concept pictured above is identical in height, length, and
width to the current CyberTruck but has infinitely more cargo space
as there are is no steering wheel or forward facing front seats.
In my recent article on the Tesla CyberVAN, toward the end, I made a bold declarative statement saying within about 5 years from now, once autonomy is achieved, this memorable event will cause the vehicle form factor the world has lived with for the past 125 years to become largely obsolete. So much so, I believe 100 years from now, the seminal dividing line in automobile history will be referred to as the 2030 demarcation line between people driven vehicles/ and autonomous vehicles. This will have profound implications for our society in many ways.
Specifically, front facing, front row seats, and steering wheels will disappear. In other words, 5-10 years from today, I believe no traditional vehicles with steering wheels will be made any more in the same way the horse and buggy gave way to the automobile in the earlier decades of the twentieth century". It's a fact that by 1917: In one decade (1907–1917), automobiles replaced horses and buggies as the standard U.S. transport, with registrations surging from 140,300 to nearly 5 million cars and 400,000 trucks.
I decided to take the current Tesla CyberTruck design language, and modify it to turn it from a Cybertruck to a CyberVAN, but instead of doing it the way I did in my previous story, I decided to turn it into a form factor that provides the ultimate autonomous people mover, that is kind of like a modern limousine which looks kind of like a pod on wheels. Keep in mind, all my Tesla concept images in this story are identical in size to the current CyberTruck, in length, width, height, and wheelbase. The only thing that changes is the overall form factor, which gets transformed from a truck to a van.
The image above shows my CyberVAN Autonomous vehicle concept with the two sliding doors closed, and the image below shows it with its two door in the open position. This form factor could easily transport a family of four, anywhere, with tons of extra storage space in the front and rear of the vehicle as illustrated below.
CyberVAN concept pictured above with two powered sliding side doors in the open position.
The image below shows my CyberVAN with a high volume roof rack storage system that could hold a ton of items like suitcases, backpacks, sleeping bags, etc. Keep in mind this vehicle would be equipped with wireless charging, so a family could board this vehicle in Los Angeles in the evening, and it could drive them straight to the Grand Canyon, and while the family sleeps in the very comfortable and luxurious zero gravity air cooled and heated seats, could stop and wirelessly charge itself at Tesla Supercharging stations, so they could go to sleep in Los Angeles and wake up the next morning at their next destination, like San Francisco, or The Grand Canyon.
CyberVAN concept pictured above shown with optional roof storage rack system that can hold luggage, or a tent.
Not only could you have a tent on top of the CyberVAN, (not shown), but you could sleep on a full size mattress INSIDE the CyberVAN as seen below. Users can’t camp in the CyberTruck as the truck bed is too small, and most importantly, the truck bed is not heated or cooled like the cabin of every other Tesla. With the CyberVAN, not only would you have HVAC access to fresh, warm, or cool filtered air, but you could fit a much longer mattress in the back for sleeping. Not to mention, sleeping in a CyberVAN in public places would be much safer and quieter than sleeping in a tent on top of a CyberTruck. Also, the owners would not have to climb up a ladder to reach the tent on top of a CyberTruck.
CyberVAN shown with rear bed with passenger area up front
Optimized Space Utilization
The CyberTruck is limited to 5 passengers, but the CyberVAN could comfortably seat up to 10 adults. The rear seats in the CyberTruck are fixed and cannot recline at all, so for long rides, since they are fixed in a completely upright position, they can get uncomfortable. A CyberVAN could easily allow all seats to recline. There are potentially so many ways this vehicle could be used and configured to completely optimized space utilization. For instance the large roof could be used as an observation deck with foldable portable chairs for watching anything from a Space X launch, to a sunset, to a soccer game. I haven't shown the vehicle with a tent on top, but as you can imagine, it could easily fit a very large tent on top.
CyberVAN shown with modular roof rack being used as an observation deck
The next image below shows an alternative layout that could contain two extra sets of 3 seats each, in the front and back of the vehicle. This would allow my CyberVan concept to comfortably seat 10 people, and with the optional roof storage system pictured below, could hold and transport all their luggage. This vehicle could contain every modern convenience like a built in fridge, and starlink to provide super fast satellite internet. The vehicle could easily have a 1000 mile range, and charge very quickly. Once again, this vehicle is all about optimizing space utilization in the most modular ways possible.
CyberVAN autonomous concept pictured above can comfortably and easily
transport up to 10 adults, and notice roof rack storage can
hold their luggage for vacations and long road trips.
The next image below shows two Tesla Optimus Robots standing next to the CyberVAN, and the interesting thing is they could sit in the rear seat behind the mother and father pictured below when the vehicle is driving. In other words, a family 2-7 members could fit in the vehicle, and bring along two or three Optimus Robots on a long vacation or road trip, and it would even be possible to have 10 humans riding in the CyberVAN with two Optimus Robots stored away in the roof rack storage system. This would allow a large family to go on vacation, and bring their robots with them.
CyberVAN concept pictured above with Tesla Optimus Robots that can sit in
rear seats, or even stow away in cargo roof rack cargo storage system (not shown).
The image below Shows my CyberVAN concept which has RGB LED panels built in to the front and rear panels of the vehicles (not shown) as well as on the side doors in the middle as illustrated below. These contextually sensitive screens could display all kinds of things, including charge state as a percentage at a supercharger, as well as all kinds of other information, including a "HAZZARD" message, when the vehicle has it's hazard lights blinking. This would be potentially invaluable for Tesla CyberVAN vehicles that have opted into the Robotaxi network, which would make them infinitely easier to spot when customers are looking for them in a parking lot, or in line at an airport. These screens could be programmed to display just about anything.
CyberVAN concept has invisibly integrated RGB LED screens built into front, rear and
side panels that can brilliantly communicate contextual and feedback messages.
A CyberTruck ONLY has a 4 x 6 foot bed, which can hold sheets of plywood, but is far from ideal.
As an example, if it rains, that could damage the exposed plywood sheets.
This vehicle could have seats that fold down flat, like in a Tesla Model YL, that would easily allow it to transport 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or sheetrock. Not that it would be typically used for such, but could do so. As we see with my illustration below, a CyberVAN could hold infinitely more 4 x 8 plywood sheets, not only inside the vehicle, but also on top. This vehicle would also be the ultimate work vehicle for companies like Tesla's mobile service center technicians and work trucks.
Semitransparent Image shows CyberVAN with tremendous cargo capacity,
including large items like 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, lumber of sheetrock with tailgate closed safely.
Ultimate Delivery VAN
The design of my CyberVAN is so easily customizable due to its highly modular nature. For instance if you want to add more cargo space on top of the CyberVAN you could do see as seen below in the example that shows a USPS mail delivery truck, with two Tesla Optimus robots actually delivering the packages and mail. Just like the CyberTruck, the CyberVAN lends itself beautifully to being wrapped as we see with the example below.
The uses for a CyberVAN with Tesla Optimus robots is endless. This could be the ultimate food delivery system with warming ovens inside. Imaging you order food using DoorDash, and a half hour later a Tesla Optiumus robot rings your doorbell, and drops off your fresh cooked food. These vehicles could delver groceries, and just about anything else. Tesla could even start it's own package deliver service to complete with UPS and FEDEX if it wanted to.
Speaking of customizing the roof area, the CyberVAN concept below has a huge built-in long ramp which would allow bikes, or ATVs to be moved up and secured on the roof of the vehicle for transport as pictured below.
Modular Design Approach
One of the great takeaways from this design is that once you get rid of the steering wheel, and pedals, as well as the need for front facing front row seats, it opens up a tremendous amount more space utilization. Also, if Tesla can figure out out a way to put all the seats in the vehicle on rails where they can be easily moved back and forth by the user (as pictured above) it would open up a world of possibilities and options with enhanced modularity. Tesla could even OEM this vehicle to other companies, and let them customize the interior. Also, the construction of this vehicle would radically compliment the unbox feature, as all interior seating components could be added after the production process.
I am certain this is the future of vehicle transport that will become reality in the not so distant future, and if given the opportunity, I would LOVE to design these vehicles with Tesla, as I am certain I could do an amazing job!!!! Elon, if you read this, I am ready to perfectly design and bring this puppy to life!!!!
ONE MORE THANG
I was contemplating an intriguing concept. Years ago, I recall a Tesla enthusiast expressing his frustration. He reached out to Elon Musk, stating, “I’m a huge Tesla fan, but we have a large family of seven children, and there’s simply no way we can all fit in a Model X.” He expressed his hope that Tesla would soon introduce a larger SUV that could accommodate a significantly larger number of passengers. This thought sparked my curiosity. Imagine if my autonomous Tesla CyberVAN concept became a reality?
Two CyberVANs show driving and traveling in lockstep unison to
significantly increase range, and offer a second vehicle on long road trips.
Most American families typically own two vehicles. What if a family with seven children also had my CyberVAN vehicle? Not only could they all fit comfortably in a single vehicle, but if both parents each owned and drove a CyberVAN model, they could easily embark on long or short trips out for dinner by combining two of these vehicles. This arrangement would allow the younger children to drive alongside their parents in the lead vehicle, while the older children could sit in the rear vehicle.
Since these vehicles are fully autonomous, they could be programmed to drive in perfect lockstep synchronization, as illustrated above. This would significantly reduce energy consumption, as the rear vehicle would constantly benefit from the aerodynamic drag coefficient advantages including a lack of rolling resistance for the rear vehicle. On a long trip, the vehicles could take turns driving in front as the lead vehicle, and as a result could drive further on the same amount of electricity as just one vehicle could travel by itself.
When families embark on road trip vacations, it’s common for the mother to prefer a specific destination on any given day, while the father might have a different preference. With a CyberVAN vehicle like the one featured in this article, it would be incredibly convenient to accommodate both parents’ wishes, ensuring a harmonious blend of their preferences. Having a local vehicle at their disposal would allow each parent to enjoy their preferred destination.
Imagine if you wanted to optimize a CyberVAN as an ultimate commute vehicle. It could be optimized to be the ultimate home-office man-cave on wheels, that could even drop you off when you reach your destination, then go and park itself, and if for some reason it was not able to fine a good parking space, could just drive around while it waits to pick you up.
Years ago, I was at the Coffee Roastery on Chestnut Street in the San Francisco Marina. I was standing in line, and I heard somebody say "Hey Jake!" It turned out, it was a friend of mine who had recently gotten married and moved from Silicon Valley to Belvedere Island in Marin. He showed me his chauffeur-driven vehicle double-parked out front, disguised as a delivery vehicle, and it freaked me out. He had purchased a large Sprinter cargo van, with no side or rear windows, which looked like a big brown UPS delivery truck, and his driver was up front. He had set up a forward-facing office inside with a full-on desktop workstation, and he would drive back and forth from Marin to Palo Alto every day, in his office on wheels. The CyberVAN would be perfect for this, and it would drive itself.
Steampunk Design
Where did this design idea come from? It came from my imagination, meaning I saw it in my mind‘s eye, identically to the way it’s shown in this article.
That being said, I kept thinking to myself that the overall shape reminded me of the original hard-core Steampunk, Art-Deco trains from the 1930s as pictured above. Just to be clear, it is JUST A COINCIDENCE that my CyberVAN design looks like it was modeled after the Mercury train, but it was not.
After I designed my CyberVAN concept as you see it in this article, it got me thinking about how trains work and that’s what inspired me to come up with the idea of one CyberVAN, following another, as pictured above, so a family could bring two cars with them on a road trip vacation, instead of just one.
Once again, after designing the CyberVAN depicted in this article, my mind kept telling me it resembled something else. I realized it was similar to the VW Buses from the past (pictured below) and a modern bus or school bus. The reason I named my design CyberVAN is that it indeed resembles the shape of a VAN. However, I could also envision it being referred to as a CyberPOD, CyberTransport, CyberLimo, or CyberMiniBus.
Speaking of Busses: Where I live, it's common to see public double length articulated/accordion commuter busses driving around all day and night with just one or two passengers, if not empty, which are designed to be able to sit 98 people.
All over the West Coast, you see these accordion style double-length buses that can seat close to 100 passengers, driving around empty, or with 1 or 2 passengers, which is a complete waste of financial resources for municipalities. Replacing these with CyberVANs, would not only save significant financial resources, but would also take passengers door to door, instead of them having to walk to bus stops.
Purchasing and maintaining these busses with drivers and mechanics and fuel cost municipalities a fortune to purchase and maintain. As a matter of fact, these articulated buses cost approximately $1 Million each. A Commuter version of the CyberVAN could easily cost under $100K, thus a municipality, could buy 10 CyberVANs. Most importantly, the 10 CyberVANs could also transport 10 passengers each, thus offering the exact same capacity, but 10 times the flexibility.
It strikes me that any municipality would be way better off replacing those huge inefficient busses with CyberVan's. Not to mention, CyberVAN's could drive door to door instead of require people to have to travel to bus stops. Same thing with school busses, which still typically feature loud diesel engines, that are super loud and highly toxic. You get the idea...
I cannot emphasize strongly enough how significant this revelation is. It appears that the truth about this enigmatic vehicle is about to be revealed, and if not, it should be developed and brought to market as soon as possible. Why? Everything wrong with the CyberTruck is right with the CyberVan.
This CyberVAN surpasses the CyberTruck in every way, shape, and form, delivering far more on its promise than the CyberTruck itself. Moreover, it successfully addresses and overcomes every drawback and shortcoming of the CyberTruck. Tesla’s introduction of this new form factor also presents an opportunity for them to not only reinvent the CyberTruck but also rectify the mistakes, failed promises, and delayed launch of the CyberTruck, while exceedingly delivering on their original Cyber platform promises. I would go so far as to say when history looks back on this time, it will be recognized that the CyberTruck was a beta test for the CyberVan.
Initially, I thought Tesla’s recently leaked vehicle from Tesla Master Plan 4 might be a Cyber SUV. However, after examining the leaked image and taking a closer look, I believe it might be a CyberVan with sliding doors! To illustrate this concept, I’ve created a graphic depicting what a Tesla CyberVan with sliding doors might look like (as pictured above). I find it to be extremely intriguing and compelling! Please note that ll my renderings of a CyberVAN make it IDENTICAL in all dimensions to a standard CyberTruck, so it's the exact same length, width and height, and would essentially be identical in every way with the exception sliding doors and rear wagon form factor.
Above, we get a glimpse of what an upcoming Tesla CyberVan might look like. Below, we see it as a Tesla CyberSUV with doors that could be either traditional swinging doors or sliding doors. Personally, I would prefer powered sliding mini-van-style doors, which would truly make it a complete replacement for the Model X.
My Dream Tesla SUV is a LUCID
Kind of, Sort of, but not really...
Sophia Loren once famously and profoundly quipped "You can't have it all—at the same time." My understanding is she wasn't saying you can't have it all. She was just saying, you can't have everything perfect at the same time, and that is kind of what this story reminds me of.
I originally published this story back on May 16, of 2025, and it was titled "What I Want in a 2026 Tesla Model X", and I included the original story lower down in this story to add context.
Today, I watched the video review of the new LUCID GRAVITY SUV reviewed by MKBHD (seen below), and I couldn’t help but think, “That car is almost exactly what I want in an SUV. However, it sadly lacks Tesla FSD, which is a major dealbreaker for me. I would love it even more if there were built-in screens in the backs of the front seats instead of the lower single screen that all Teslas have.”
In essence, I would like Tesla to replace the Model X with a form-factor similar to the LUCID vehicle depicted above. My preference would even extend to the idea of having sliding rear doors, reminiscent of a mini-van.
Maybe My Dream Tesla SUV May Come True?
Something really interesting and unusual just occurred when Tesla apparently leaked a potential new Cyber SUV or CyberVan in the screenshot pictured below which was originally discovered and published by Torquenews.com.
This is a screenshot from a Tesla video that revealed their Tesla Master Plan 4, which came out a few days ago. Notice in the background, up on a shelf, we see small scale models of what definitely appear to be a Tesla CyberSUV or CyberVAN people mover.
In a recent interview on Jay Leno’s Garage, Tesla lead designer Franz von Holzhausen discussed the recently updated Tesla Plaid Model S. He casually mentioned, in what appears to be an off-hand remark, Tesla has been working on several new products that evolve their design language and should be released soon. This raises the question: is he referring to the Tesla CyberSUV or CyberVAN pictured above?
On a side note, this is a good interview, but Jay Leno's SOFTBALL QUESTIONS on the new Model S PLAID are TOTALLY LAME. The first question I would have asked, is "How is it the new Model S Plaid is $110K before taxes, and still lacks a power FRUNK?????? After all, the $80K CyberTruck comes standard with a power frunk?"
Flat Roof Top CyberSUV would make it easy to put a folding Camper shell on top. I think this render is very close to the one seen in the Tesla design studio.
I can't help but wonder if the Tesla Cyber SUV concepts pictured above and below is what Franz was talking about, when he said Tesla would soon be introducing new products? If Tesla introduces this vehicle soon, it would likely overcome the two Achilles heal issues that currently plague the CyberTruck, which are Low Range with only 325 miles, and a horrendous/nonsensical rear view mirror system.
If the second and third row of seats in this vehicle were designed in such a way that they could easily fold flat like in the new Chinese market only Tesla Model YL, it would result in a much larger usable bed area than a CyberTruck. For instance, it should be able to hold 4x8 sheets of plywood easily, without having to stick out the back, where the CyberTruck bed is only 4x6 feet. If done correctly, this could also create a huge sleeping area in the back for camping, which can't be done in the CyberTruck.
Pictured above we see a photo of the second and third row seats in the Chinese market only Tesla Model YL, which are folded down. If the Tesla CyberVan has a similar seating configuration, it would open up a world of opportunities for storage and camping.
The CyberTruck uses a video camera on the back of the CyberTruck that easily becomes unusable when it drives in rain, but a CyberSUV could use a real standard rear view mirror, like a Model S, 3, X or Y does. Also, if this vehicle were to have at least 400 miles of range, that would make it infinitely better. 500 miles of range would be far more ideal, and I think that is within the realm of possibility.
As a designer, I seriously can't figure out what the hell happened to Tesla design recently. Yes, the Model Y, is amazing, and the best selling car on earth, but the S and X and CyberTruck have had no love over the past year and a half or more.
My intuition suggests that Tesla has a secret weapon up its sleeve, and my best guess is that they will soon launch the CyberSUV or CyberVan. These vehicles will essentially be CyberTrucks, but instead of a bed with a sliding tonneau cover, they will feature a lift-back with a large third-row seat.
If Tesla designs this vehicle well, it will also provide owners with a convenient way to camp in their vehicle.
Additionally, with its flat roof, it will allow them to easily set up a large foldable tent on top if they wish.
After I wrote this story I noticed the image below that shows a Urander Tent on top of a CyberTruck, along with the support system that creates a flat top surface for the tent to rest upon and I would not help but notice it's profile/silhouette/shape was remarkably similar to the one pictured above.
Just for fun, I made the following renders that would show what my now classic JAKEe CyberTruck Wrap style might look like on the CyberSUV, and it looks pretty good. I wrapped the bottom and extended the window to give it more of a dramatic and framed look.
I couldn't make up my mind which way I liked the window shape better, so I tried both ways: I think the version above with the added window wrap extension make it look more like a police truck, and the version below looks more modern, directional and geometrical.
Below is my original article I mentioned earlier (Originally published in May of 2025) on what I want in an ultimate Tesla SUV, that ideally will replace their Model X:
Below is an image I put together that shows what I was hoping we will see with the next generation Tesla Model X. This vehicle can comfortably seat 6 passengers, or could also come in a seven seater model. This Model X is 1.5 feet longer than the current Model X in order to accommodate the third row occupants by giving them plenty of legroom. It also replaces the ridiculously ill-designed Falcon wing doors with sliding rear side doors like you would find a standard minivan.
NOTE: Just for frame-of-reference I am adding this paragraph and the hero shot below from the beginning of this story, as it appears Tesla might essentially make my dream SUV or VAN, but using the CyberTruck design language, which would be awesome!!!
I would like to see this model feature 4-wheel steering like the CyberTruck, which should result in an overall decreased turning radius when compared to the current standard wheelbase Model X, along with bi-directional charging and steer-by-wire. Tesla is planning on coming out with a revised new Model S and X pretty soon, and I hope they make these updates. Also, I hope wireless charing will be standard on the new Tesla Models.
This is essentially like a Model X had a baby with a CyberTruck. While a current Model X can accommodate 2 adults in the front, the back seats are too narrow and too close to the doors, so they feel claustrophobic.
The current 6 seater is nice as it has the center walkway located between the 2 rear captains chairs, but the third row seats only work for small children. By making an elongated Model X, with a much larger third row seats, which could comfortably accommodate 2 or 3 adults, would be ideal, and would also add much more rear cargo space.
As we see in the image below, the i8 is basically a longer Model X, which a wagon back that increases cargo space and ads a much larger and useful third row that can comfortably sit 2 adults. Also, the Li Auto has a more cab forward design, which contributes to its useful cabin space area. Overall the Li Auto i8 is:
Tesla Model X dimensions v. Li Auto i8
Length: Li i8 is 1.9 inches (~5 cm) longer.
Width: The Model X is 1.5 inches (~4cm) wider without mirrors.
Height: Li i8 is 2.2 inches (~5.6 cm) taller (offering better headroom).
Wheelbase Li i8 is 5.5 inches (~14 cm) longer.
I find it to be embarrassing that a Chinese company could essentially copy the Model X and make it way better, but Tesla themselves are stuck on stupid and can't figure out how to easily improve the Model X? I mean this is NOT rocket science...Also, Tesla seriously needs to get rid of the falcon wing door, which are a complete nightmare. Yes, they make it easier to put a small child in their child seat, but they are are ridiculously overpriced and unnecessary, and often function incorrectly, not to mention they are a hazard in many ways.
As we see in the image of i8 interior below, it can comfortably fit 6 full sized adults.
If Tesla is going to keep producing the Model X, they need to completely redesign it from the ground up. If they were to do so, it would make complete sense to make it similar in all dimensions to the Li Auto i8, but swap out the doors with sliding mini-van style doors.
I recently took this photo of this Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivan, and essentially it's pretty close to what I would love to see Tesla make a similar model to as far as form-factor, as it has rear side doors that slide open and closed.
The upcoming LUCID GRAVITY really does kind of look like the Toyota Sienna Minivan pictured above, but way cooler, and it features 4 wheel steering, but for me it's not an option as it lacks FSD. If it had Tesla FSD, I would buy it.
The space for larger Luxury EV SUV's is heating up, and below we see the soon to market South Korean Genesis GV90 made by Hyundai, which looks pretty damed cool. This design also makes it evident that within 5 years, this form-factor with forward facing front seats with a steering wheel will essentially become obsolete, as vehicle form-factor will transform into an autonomous pod on wheels, and then the seats will offer much more extended leg room. If you look at the image below, if somebody was sitting in the front seat when it is reversed like this, their legs will interfere with the person sitting across from them, but if the form-factor were elongated by several feet, this issue would be resolved.
The following is excerpted from an article I published 5 years ago on TeslaMagazine.org titled "Thoughts on the future of Autonomous Vehicles." This section illustrates exactly what I am referring to with the future form-factors of autonomous EV's with wireless charging:
Just to be crystal-clear, my point is automobile form-factors as we have known them for more than the past century with front facing front seats will soon become obsolete and will be replaced with vehicles that have rear facing front seats, are 100% autonomous and feature wireless charing. My assumption is within about 5-7 years, this new form-factor will completely replace vehicles as we have known them. Keep in mind what you are about to read below, I published 5 years ago:
Sawyer Merritt is my favorite Tesla analyst and journalist, so when he responded with his comment on my story on the "CyberTruck Owners Only" Facebook Group, it made my day. I included Sawyers comment below:
I wrote a detailed response to Sawyer and decided to include it below, as I think it reiterates the essence of my argument for the value proposition behind a Tesla CyberVAN:
Hi Sawyer!
Thanks for sharing your kind and insightful words. I have long been a fan of your work and amazing research, so I was pleasantly surprised to see your erudite comment. I agree with everything you said, and in my detailed article on TeslaMagazine.org, I mentioned that a CyberVAN with sliding doors could not only resurrect the Cyber Platform, but could also deliver on the original promise of the CyberTruck itself.
Specifically:
-BED STORAGE SPACE: The CyberTruck bed is only 4 x 6 feet, thus it can’t fit a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood or drywall in the bed with the lift gate closed, but a CyberVan could easily fit 4 x 8 sheets as there is no pass-through barrier and nothing to interfere with them.
-CAMPING: Users can’t camp in the CyberTruck as the bed is too small, and most importantly, the bed is not heated or cooled like the cabin of every other Tesla. With the CyberVAN, not only would you have HVAC access to fresh, warm, or cool air, but you could fit a much longer mattress in the back for sleeping. Not to mention, sleeping in a CyberVAN in public places would be much safer and quieter than sleeping in a tent on top of a CyberTruck. Also, the owners would not have to climb up a ladder to reach the tent on top of a CyberTruck.
-REAR SEAT COMFORT: The CyberTruck is limited to 5 passengers, but the CyberVAN could comfortably seat 8, or even 9 with a front bench seat. Tesla could even make an extended wheelbase model that could fit a total of 12, like a Suburban. The rear seats in the CyberTruck are fixed and cannot recline at all, so for long rides, since they are fixed in a completely upright position, they can get uncomfortable. A CyberVAN could easily allow the second row seats to recline, and even so with the third row of seats.
-NO MORE DEFECTIVE REAR VIEW MIRROR: The design of the CyberTruck rear view mirror system is completely defective. If you drive a CyberTruck on a normal rainy day, the rear camera will easily and regularly get covered so it becomes useless as it will get covered with dirty water that gets kicked up onto the rear camera lens. It’s beyond ironic that the CyberTruck has a washer on the front camera but not on the back camera, where it needs it most. Personally, I am shocked that Tesla has not addressed this by putting a digital rear view mirror in the vehicle with a top mounted rear camera. This would be an easy fix, but as a designer myself, I am extremely frustrated with the fact that Tesla designed such a great vehicle with the CyberTruck, but then seemingly abandoned it by making zero meaningful improvements on it after a year and a half. Ironically, the beauty of a CyberVAN is that it could use a conventional mirrored rear view mirror which should function properly.
-RANGE: Tesla made a HUGE mistake by only putting in a 325-mile range battery. At a minimum, it should have been 400 or 500, as originally promised. That external battery pack that was $15K and destroyed 1/3 of the bed space was an insult to Tesla customers, but with a CyberVAN and the newest 4680 batteries, Tesla could easily hit 400 miles of range, if not 500, which would be ideal.
-NO FALCON WING DOORS: Even Elon admitted the Falcon Wing doors on the Model X were his greatest blunder. I think it’s shocking they still sell the X with these highly defective doors, which are a complete nightmare to live with in the real world. Elon’s original argument for the Falcon Wing Doors was that they would make it easy to remove and place small children in child seats, especially if a car parked too close to your Model X. So try opening a Falcon Wing door on a taller sidewalk, and try not to have it hit your head or face, even IF it extends all the way. With mini-van style doors on a CyberVAN, it will completely eliminate this challenge. Basically, a CyberVAN would replace the Model X as the ultimate Tesla station wagon for families.
-POWER FRUNK: How ironic is it the $80K CyberTruck has a power frunk, but the new flagship Model S and Model X, which are way more expensive, lack this very useful feature? I agree with you that Tesla should keep all the features the CyberTruck offers with the CyberVAN. Franz is a really great designer in many ways, so he has to have been up to something over the past couple of years beyond refreshing the S, 3, X, and Y. Since he has completely ignored updating the CyberTruck, I assume he has been focused on the CyberVAN, which would explain what he was talking about in the recent Jay Leno video interview, when he said he was working on extending Tesla’s design language.
Also, if you take a really close look at the screenshot from the Tesla Master Plan 4 video that shows the models in Franz’s design studio, if you look at them closely, it almost appears they have a longer sliding rear side door.
Many larger families would benefit from a CyberVAN, but I think there are many people who would simply prefer its form factor, as minivans are so useful and utilitarian, not to mention people like command seating where they sit up high when they drive.
Of course, I cover all these details and much more in my TeslaMagazine.org article which I assume you read. If not, here is a direct link to the detailed story: https://www.teslamagazine.org/2025/09/the-2026-tesla-cyber-suv.html
Once again Sawyer, thanks so much for sharing your invaluable insight!
My name is Jake, and I started Jake's Tesla World as an online magazine which is a superb resource for all things Tesla. In my opinion as a designer, the Tesla Model S is not only the best car ever made, but a true gateway to the future of clean and safe transportation.
I'll never forget an evening back in early November of 2011, when I saw a movie named, "The Revenge Of The Electric Car", which showcased the plight of Elon Musk, and Tesla Motors. The movie blew my mind, and made me really excited about the potential promise of electric vehicles.
Tesla design is so timeless, as is it's story, so the when you spend time on Jake's Tesla World, since everything is in reverse chronological order, you can literally go back in time, and see exactly how everything evolved.
When I see or experience something that blows my mind, like the TESLA Model S, I want to learn absolutely everything I can about it. My goal with Jake's Tesla World is to share everything with you that I have learned about TESLA, as well as everything you would ever want to know or understand about Tesla, and obviously every detail is absolutely fascinating!!!
I hope you enjoy exploring Jake's Tesla World as much as I enjoy putting it together.
