After analyzing a barrage of spy movies and close-up snapshots of near-production Tesla Cybertruck prototypes and launch candidates, it was fairly clear that its construct high quality was terrible.

Even the late-stage prototypes had evident panel gaps, ill-fitting fender flares, and misaligned parts throughout. However Tesla showcased on Friday, November 10, 2023, what seemed to be a production-ready Cybertruck in New York Metropolis throughout the Annual Barron Convention. And it appeared a complete lot higher.

The Cybertruck popped up on the Lincoln Heart within the Higher West Facet neighborhood of Manhattan. Why was it there? Properly, billionaire investor Ron Baron owns about 17.5 million Tesla shares price $4.8 billion (as of September 2023), based on some studies – so no shocker that the snazzy EV was on show exterior his occasion venue.

Nevertheless, the standard of the mannequin showcased appeared to have caught followers and attendees off-guard, so far as Twitter reactions are involved.

Simply final week, we reported the issues noticed on a late-stage matt-black prototype in Southern California. Panel gaps on that truck have been massive sufficient for a finger to stay by way of, the seam the place the A-pillar met the nostril had a visual overlap, the fender flares have been misaligned, and sections of the rear gentle bar have been uneven. It was a laundry record of inconsistencies. Most of those flaws have been absent within the model showcased in New York Metropolis.

After taking a more in-depth take a look at the current photos, you’ll be able to spot a spot the place the panel beneath the DRL merges onto the aspect. But it surely’s extra of a nitpicky element, and possibly not an enormous deal just like the mess we noticed earlier than.

After CEO Elon Musk drove a manufacturing candidate with panel hole points early this yr, he famous down high quality targets in an e mail to his staff. “As a result of nature of Cybertruck, which is product of vibrant steel with principally straight edges, any dimensional variation reveals up like a sore thumb,” Musk informed his staff, as per the leaked e mail. “All components for this automobile, whether or not inner or from suppliers, must be designed and constructed to sub-10-micron accuracy,” he urged.

So, is the current sighting an indication of getting near that sub-10-micron accuracy? Properly, in all probability not, and that’s a troublesome one to name. Nevertheless, it signifies that Tesla is ready to enhance the standard to close perfection and sort out the challenges rising from placing collectively an EV with stainless-steel physique panels and complicated manufacturing methods.

And that begs one other query, will the tons of of 1000’s of Cybertrucks that the model intends to provide look as sharp because the mannequin showcased in New York Metropolis? Solely time will inform.