Professional Driver Gives His Honest Opinion About Tesla Cybertruck's Steer-by-Wire System

The Cybertruck's steer-by-wire system has been a prolific subject for Tesla's fans and critics alike. While the former group has been excited to see this technological breakthrough, skeptics have done what they do best: being skeptical. Tesla claimed it used a low-latency communications protocol to send the signals from the steering wheel to the steering motors on the front and rear axles. This ensures that the steering response is instantaneous, sometimes even brisker than using a mechanical link.

While this seems counterintuitive, it has a good explanation. Electricity travels quite fast, given that the right medium is used. A steering rod-and-rack system can look like a direct connection, but there are rubber interconnects, and there's a play between various components. This means that not all steering movements are transmitted to the front wheels, and there's always lag, even if imperceptible.

The first people who drove the Cybertruck reported no indication that the steer-by-wire system was any different from mechanical steering. However, what can be perfectly acceptable for an amateur driver might be a nightmare for a race pilot. Professional driver Craig Coker recently drove the Cybertruck both on a racetrack and off-road. He confirmed that the steer-by-wire system is perfectly calibrated for the most demanding scenarios.

If you don't know Craig, he's the pilot driving for the Unplugged Performance race team in various competitions. He's also behind many track records with the UP's modified Tesla Model S known as "The Dark Helmet." Besides racing, Craig Coker does a lot of tests for the Unplugged Performance team, which is why we're not surprised to find out he also tested the Cybertruck in racing conditions.

Craig raced the Cybertruck at Buttonwillow racetrack and described the experience as exhilarating. The electric pickup is not a racecar, given its massive weight and mushy suspension. This makes it perform more like a boat than a sportscar, but it's fun nevertheless. Craig also tested the Cybertruck in the dirt at the Kings of the Hammers event and offered his wisdom about the pickup truck's steer-by-wire system.

The pilot admitted that he was skeptical of the lack of a physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. For a race driver, losing the mechanical feel and feedback makes it impossible to trust the car when pushing it to its limits. Craig was impressed with what Tesla had achieved after intensively testing the new system in almost every terrain.

"The steering ratio is phenomenal both for daily and extreme scenarios," Craig shared on X. "You can feel the road! Driver-to-vehicle connection is important to me. When I smash the brake and ABS kicks in, I want to feel that vibration all the way down to the tires. If you can feel the tires, you can manage grip!"

Craig was also surprised to see how well the Cybertruck performed even without working differential locks. These can help when only three or even two wheels lose traction. They are also crucial on a racetrack, providing more grip in the corners. Hopefully, Tesla will get them working soon with a software update, turning the Cybertruck into an off-road powerhouse.

Let’s dive into Steer By Wire!
It’s a component I was skeptical of on @cybertruck. In fact, I was dreading it. I thought I was going to loose that mechanical feel and feedback from the car that creates confidence when pushing the limits. @Tesla has integrated something special… pic.twitter.com/8mbfmWgAZC

— Craig Coker (@FromWhereICHG) February 9, 2024