Whereas withstanding a Tommy Gun is cool, it’s principally a prop in comparison with modern-day weapons.
Updated March 7 2024, 12:54 p.m. ET
Whereas the Tesla Cybertruck stands out as essentially the most unconventional wanting vehicle within the market at the moment, bearing with that particular exterior might be worth it some people, if rumors that the Tesla Cybertruck is bulletproof are true. The sharp edges and angular design isn’t exactly an aesthetic various, nevertheless a outcomes of using the similar grade of stainless steel used to create some SpaceX rockets.
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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has boasted the Cybertruck’s potential to withstand regular bullet hits, a major selling degree for the distinctive vehicle, which formally hit the market in December 2023. However, some consultants are skeptical as as as to if the Cybertruck’s bulletproof claims are right.
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Is the Tesla Cybertruck bulletproof?
The Tesla Cybertruck may be bulletproof to some weapons. In response to The Dialog, the auto doesn’t seem like several of Tesla’s totally different merchandise on account of it was designed with high-strength stainless steel, a cloth that isn’t as easy to design with, however as well as makes the truck bulletproof.
In November 2023, the similar time as a result of the Cybertruck’s launch, Elon Musk posted a video on X exhibiting how the Cybertruck fared whereas being hit by bullets. Throughout the video, Musk claims that the Cybertruck’s doorways are bulletproof in opposition to .45 caliber and 9 millimeter caliber ammunition. Although the bullets left dents on the perimeters of the truck by way of the demo, none went by the use of.
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In response to Enterprise Insider, the physique of the Cybertruck consists of “30X cold-rolled stainless steel,” the similar supplies used for SpaceX’s Starship megarocket. The house home windows are product of layered “armor glass,” which will not stop a bullet; nonetheless, Musk has claimed that ultimately, Tesla will promote a “beast mode” Cybertruck with bulletproof dwelling home windows, with the caveat that the house home windows can’t roll down.
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In October 2023, a video on X captured a Cybertruck driving down a freeway in California with bullet dents throughout the facet. Musk replied to the tweet with the assertion, “We emptied the entire drum journal of a Tommy gun into the driving power door Al Capone mannequin. No bullets penetrated into the passenger compartment.”
As spectacular as a result of it seems, some consultants are skeptical. In response to Inside EVs, a Tommy Gun is an outdated firearm, and shoots at a lower velocity than many trendy weapons. Jay Jarvis, forensic advisor of Arma Forensics in Atlanta, instructed Inside EVs, “I might anticipate elevated velocity rifle bullets, significantly armor-piercing bullets, to penetrate this metallic.”
So, whereas evidently the Cybertruck is technically bulletproof to some weapons, Tesla will not be exactly portraying its potential to withstand pictures from trendy firearms.
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Are one other Teslas bulletproof?
Other than the Cybertruck, Tesla has not claimed one other of their autos to be bulletproof. The Cybertruck is the first Tesla vehicle to allegedly have bulletproof capabilities, along with “armor glass” dwelling home windows. However, these supposedly shatterproof dwelling home windows actually did shatter when met with a metal ball at a extremely awkward 2019 Cybertruck demonstration.
Whereas no Tesla autos other than the Cybertruck declare to be bulletproof, Armormax, an armored passenger vehicle producer, sells what it claims to be bulletproof Teslas, along with bulletproof autos by totally different widespread producers. So, while you may not have the flexibility to buy a bulletproof Tesla Model X, Model Y, or Model 3 straight from Tesla, there could also be always the selection to customize safety selections with corporations similar to Armormax.