Lewis Withrow recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that perfectly encapsulates the astonishing progress in automotive technology. He wrote, "The car I learned to drive on had 4 speeds and 37 hp. The vehicle I have now, a Tesla Cybertruck, has 1 speed, 600 hp, and drives itself. Most of the progress has been made in the last few years. Teslas are a clear step in change."
This statement, simple yet profound, highlights the remarkable advancements that the automotive industry has achieved over decades. Lewis’s story isn’t just about his personal journey from a modest car to a futuristic truck; it’s about how far we’ve come in engineering, design, and innovation.
The Tesla Cybertruck: A Technological Marvel
The Tesla Cybertruck is a vehicle that feels like it was plucked from the pages of a science fiction novel. With its unique angular design, ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel exoskeleton, and bullet-resistant glass, it stands apart from anything else on the road. But it’s not just about aesthetics. Under the hood (or, more accurately, under the floor), the Cybertruck boasts:
- Single-Speed Transmission: Simplified and efficient, the Cybertruck’s drivetrain eliminates the need for traditional gear shifting.
- 600 Horsepower: This makes it a powerhouse, rivaling and surpassing many performance-oriented vehicles.
- Self-Driving Capability: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system offers semi-autonomous driving, turning commutes into a hands-free experience.
- Range and Speed: With over 500 miles of range and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, the Cybertruck isn’t just about utility—it’s about performance.
A Journey Through Automotive Progress
Lewis’s post sparked a flurry of comments from other Tesla owners, each sharing their experiences and perspectives on the industry’s evolution. One commenter, Piano Music, praised Tesla’s approach to innovation, writing, "You made a good choice. Tesla has succeeded because they put company profits last. The goal was to build a maintenance-free electric car no matter how long it takes."
Lewis responded by emphasizing Tesla’s reliability, saying, "Yes, we traded in our Model Y, which we had for 2 1/2 years. It never went back to the Tesla service center. The tires were rotated by a Tesla Road Ranger in our garage, and I occasionally aired up the tires and topped off the windshield washer fluid. That’s it!"
Another commenter, Phibet, shared their long-standing loyalty to Tesla: "We’ve been driving Teslas since 2015, and I still was not prepared for how much I would love this truck. Enjoy!"
Darryn’s comment perfectly summed up the leaps in technology, comparing his first Tesla to today’s innovations: "Tremendous progress. My first Tesla was a Model S in 2013, and the difference between that car (no autopilot at all) and the 2024 Model S Plaid that drives itself and can do 0-60 mph in two seconds. The future is very bright!"
Reflecting on the Evolution of Cars
The progression from a 37-horsepower manual-transmission car to a self-driving, 600-horsepower Cybertruck is a testament to humanity’s ingenuity. Over the last century, we’ve transitioned from rudimentary internal combustion engines to complex electric drivetrains. Along the way, vehicles have become safer, more efficient, and more integrated with technology. This journey is as much about engineering as it is about dreaming big.
What’s Next?
As Tesla continues to innovate, it’s exciting to think about what the next fifty years will bring. Will cars truly become fully autonomous, eliminating the need for human drivers altogether? Will sustainable materials and energy sources dominate vehicle production? The possibilities are endless.
Your Turn
What do you think is the most impressive advancement in automotive technology over the last fifty years? Do you believe self-driving cars like the Tesla Cybertruck will become the standard mode of transportation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota, Tesla, and other car brand news.
Comments
I'm on my 5th year of…
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I'm on my 5th year of driving fully Electric cars. I have a Tesla Model Y Performance and a Kia EV 6 GT Line. I will never own another ICE car! I'm really happy with the fully "assisted" driving software on both cars. The Tesla is a super car, 3.5 sec. 0 - 60 but, to minimalist on displays. The EV 6 has full displays and even has heads up display that has navigation incorporated. I love my cars!
Opal 4 speed. Probably why…
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Opal 4 speed. Probably why he ended up with a cybercan. I learned to drive on a 1956 ford pickup with 3 on the tree. Probably why I chose a Lightning instead. Body on frame actual truck that can actually tow 15k lbs without ripping in half. Can't wait to see how long it takes for lil king Elon to fall out of the grace of the orange God. Perhaps he will land directly on his head and and at very least knock some better design sense into him.
Elons love for humanity…
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In reply to Opal 4 speed. Probably why… by Joeboo (not verified)
Elons love for humanity comes from his love for technology. After what hes done in the tech world I cant wait to see what happens to the gov tax leeches who think we answer to them. God bless america & cant wait to see another testimate to american ingenuity!!
I wondered how long it would…
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In reply to Opal 4 speed. Probably why… by Joeboo (not verified)
I wondered how long it would take to have a political attack on Elon Musk. You guys are so deranged that you have to bring politics into everything. This was a discussion about cars. Hopefully with you stressing yourself out that you will have a stroke soon.
Hi Hal. I agree with your…
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In reply to I wondered how long it would… by Hal DuPriest (not verified)
Hi Hal. I agree with your comment. We just want to give you the latest on automotive news. Politics is a different genre of news which we don't really cover. Thank you for reading and we hope to see your comments more often!
Teslas rock! Like it or not…
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In reply to Opal 4 speed. Probably why… by Joeboo (not verified)
Teslas rock! Like it or not. The future is Tesla!
That small green car in the…
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That small green car in the photograph is a Morris Minor, probably from the late '50s. I drove one. It is not an Opal. Interesting article anyway, but why is the photograph dead wrong?
Undoubtedly the technology…
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Undoubtedly the technology in today's automobiles is impressive. However, I miss the days when anything wrong with your car you could fix yourself. If you couldn't the corner gas station could . Technology comes at a high price
Pretty big price to pay for…
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In reply to Undoubtedly the technology… by John (not verified)
Pretty big price to pay for the sake of personal comfort. Thank you for the comment John. Hopefully one day we can see automakers bring back the "fix it yourself if you can" mentality to their cars.
And like the Opel he can't…
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And like the Opel he can't bring it into a car wash. 🤣
Your "car experts" need to…
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Your "car experts" need to learn that the car pictured is a 1960 Morris Minor 4dr sedan, not an Opel.
Hello Mike. Please forgive…
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In reply to Your "car experts" need to… by Mike (not verified)
Hello Mike. Please forgive me that I don't have a mental database of every single car ever made in the back of my cranium. Especially cars that are not even made anymore by companies that don't exist.
I have own the cyber truck…
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I have own the cyber truck for 3 months, it's been an amassing ride. What i like best is the supervised driving ability if you keep your eyes on the road and don't look down at your phone it's completely self driving. It drives best at night and in fog, not so good on gravel or snowy roads. I am 80 and it's a life saver for me.
A step forward in technology…
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A step forward in technology, but a step back in affordability.
What is the point of marching forward on technology, if every step taken makes automobiles less affordable or out of reach of more people?