# Jeremy Clarkson Claims Tesla Cybercab Ride Felt Like Assassination Attempt The presenter recounts a chaotic experience in an autonomous vehicle amid long-standing Musk feud. - **Source:** [Metro UK](https://metro.co.uk) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [technology](https://brifing.si/c/technology) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/abd316d5-957f-460a-b002-1deeba47d4d4 ## Hostile History Between Rivals The tension between Jeremy Clarkson and Elon Musk originated in 2008 following a Top Gear review of the Tesla Roadster. Clarkson criticized the vehicle's 16-hour charge time and reported mechanical breakdowns during filming. Tesla subsequently attempted to sue the BBC for libel, a legal battle that Musk ultimately lost and never forgot. ## Disastrous Austin Test Drive While visiting Austin, Texas, Clarkson attempted to use a Tesla Cybercab. The experience began poorly when the vehicle stopped away from his location and failed to initiate the journey. After waiting for a replacement, the second autonomous vehicle exhibited erratic behavior, including running red lights and braking for non-existent pedestrians during transit. ## Fear of Targeted Malfunction During the ride, Clarkson felt the vehicle stopped responding to his inputs, refusing to open doors or halt. Given their long-standing feud, he jokingly feared the car was intentionally transporting him to a secret facility. He described the experience as being trapped in a machine suffering from an electronic hot flush. ## Autonomous Traffic Conflict The Cybercab's navigation system reportedly struggled with basic urban interactions. Clarkson observed the vehicle engaging in a digital standoff with an autonomous shopping trolley regarding right-of-way protocols. These technical glitches contributed to his growing anxiety, as he felt completely powerless inside a vehicle that ignored his presence and safety concerns. ## Musk's View on Criticism Elon Musk has previously dismissed Clarkson's critiques, suggesting that Top Gear prioritizes entertainment over factual accuracy. While acknowledging Clarkson's humor, Musk has consistently maintained that the presenter holds a strong, unfair bias against electric vehicles. This fundamental disagreement has persisted for nearly two decades, fueling ongoing public exchanges between the two. ## Legal Battles and Parallels The history of litigation continues to shadow these figures. President Donald Trump is currently attempting to sue the BBC for between $1 billion and $5 billion over a 2024 documentary. Clarkson, who has previously criticized Trump's behavior, remains a vocal observer of these high-profile legal clashes involving media and political figures. ## Criticism of Political Conduct Beyond automotive disputes, Clarkson has publicly condemned Donald Trump's social media activity. He specifically labeled the President's response to the death of William Chapman as sick. Trump had shared AI-generated footage of himself wrestling a tiger following the fatal mauling, a move Clarkson described as being beyond the pale of decency. ## Implications for Autonomous Transit Clarkson’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges facing fully autonomous vehicle deployment in complex urban environments. While Tesla continues to develop its driverless technology, incidents involving erratic navigation and software unresponsiveness remain significant hurdles. For users, the transition from human-operated to machine-controlled transport still involves substantial trust and safety concerns. ## Sources covering this story - https://metro.co.uk/2026/11/08/jeremy-clarkson-feared-elon-musk-trying-kill-driverless-car-29775687/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._