Tesla Cybertruck to appear on new episode of Jay Leno’s TV show

Former US talk show host, comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno has released a teaser video for his TV show, Jay Leno's Garage, and it appears he will get a closer look at the Tesla Cybertruck – possibly even from behind the wheel.

Now in its fifth season, the TV show sees Leno partner celebrity guests like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tim Allen with intriguing new and classic vehicles, putting both the stars and the cars to the test in a series of road trips, races and stunts.

A teaser video released by the CNBC TV network ahead of the May 20 premiere reveals Tesla CEO Elon Musk will guest star on the new season, along with the electric car maker's incoming Cybertruck.

In fact, Leno may even be the first person outside of Tesla to actually drive the Cybertruck.

Images and video posted to social media in January 2020 captured Musk and Leno filming the show at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California, with the photos appearing to show Musk in the passenger seat and Leno behind the wheel.

While Tesla has offered rides in the Cybertruck to international media, the company hasn't permitted anyone from outside of the organisation to drive the prototype – meaning Leno would likely be the first outsider to do so, if he indeed got behind the wheel.

The Cybertruck appears three times in the trailer for Leno's new season. The first appearance, at the 0:04 mark, shows the vehicle out on the open road, then at the 0:23 mark the Cyberquad is filmed backing off the Cybertruck's tray, while the third appearance at the 0:46 mark has Leno sitting inside the car in what appears to be the 'loop lift' at O'Leary Station.

O'Leary Station is the site of ongoing construction work being conducted by The Boring Company – Musk's infrastructure outfit – and it features a car elevator known as the 'loop lift' plus the beginnings of a network of underground highways Musk has planned.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Cyberquad is an electric quad bike Tesla plans to launch around the same time as the Cybertruck.

Musk himself also briefly features in the trailer and is shown saying, "cue music!" ahead of the pickup's appearance.

The YouTube video has been inundated with excited comments from viewers claiming they will watch the show "just for the Cybertruck".

While Tesla hasn't been shy in promoting the all-electric ute's performance specs and features, the car has made precious few public appearances since its debut in November 2019.

This won't be the first time Leno has gained exclusive access to a Tesla prototype – he previously showcased Tesla's first production car, the Roadster, back in 2008, as well as the 2020 Roadster prototype in a 2018 season of Jay Leno's Garage. 

The trailer for the new season also reveals plenty of other reasons to tune in beyond the Cybertruck – including the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, the Porsche Taycan, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 convertible and the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, to name a few.

Celebrity guests include singer Kelly Clarkson, Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, Friends star Matt LeBlanc and comedian Norm Macdonald.

The new season of Jay Leno's Garage will premiere in the US on Wednesday, May 20, on CNBC.

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