---
title: "You Can Now Buy a Knockoff Cybertruck for $10,800"
description: "Russian YouTubers have converted an old VAZ 2109 angular hatchback into a knockoff Tesla Cybertruck, stainless steel \"exoskeleton\" and all."
date: "2019-12-27"
modified: "2019-12-27"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/buy-knockoff-russian-cybertruck"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
tags:
  - "cybertruck"
  - "Russia"
  - "tesla"
  - "the digest"
---

# You Can Now Buy a Knockoff Cybertruck for $10,800

![Russian YouTubers have converted an old VAZ 2109 angular hatchback into a knockoff Tesla Cybertruck, stainless steel "exoskeleton" and all.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/buy-knockoff-cybertruck-10800.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Pushka's Garage via YouTube\</em\>*

## Knockoff Cybertruck

You might not have to wait until 2021 to get your hands on a Tesla Cybertruck — or [something like it](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-cybertruck-troll-elon-musk>), anyways.

The Russian YouTubers behind the channel Pushka's Garage have converted an old VAZ 2109 angular hatchback into a knockoff Tesla Cybertruck, stainless steel "exoskeleton" and all.

While the team claims to have put only $1,300 into the project, they're now selling it for a measly 666,666 rubles — about $10,800 — according to a new [*Ars Technica* report](<https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/12/a-cybertruck-goes-on-sale-for-10800-in-russia/>). That's a fraction of the $39,900 Tesla is charging for its lowest tier Cybertruck — but whether this is a good deal for anybody is highly debatable.

https://youtu.be/kFrqIrCYOlM

## Steel Is Real

The Russians' vehicle may look a bit like Tesla's recently announced electric pickup, but that's where most of the similarities end.

The VAZ 2109 runs on a 1.6 liter gasoline engine, so the knockoff Cybertruck won't get its power from a wall socket. Yes, it's made out of stainless steel plate metal — but will it go from 0 t0 60 in under four seconds? That's a definite no.

Did we mention there's no way to use the side doors?

Based on a [video](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-cybertruck-troll-elon-musk>) in which the vehicle drives down an actual road without falling apart, it will get you from point A to point B — but this knockoff will definitely not pass inspection, that's for sure.

**READ MORE:** [A “Cybertruck” goes on sale for $10,800—in Russia](<https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/12/a-cybertruck-goes-on-sale-for-10800-in-russia/>) \[*Ars Technica*\]

**More on Cybertruck:** *[Russians Troll Elon Musk With Knockoff Cybertruck](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-cybertruck-troll-elon-musk>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)