modelx
Latest
Tesla is quietly making its own AI chip for self-driving cars
In a recent earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the automaker has been 'stealth' developing a custom-built AI chip for at least two years.
Tesla is adding classic Atari games to its cars
Tesla isn't limiting its fun-oriented EV updates to its upcoming party mode. Elon Musk has promised that "some of the best" Atari games will be playable in Tesla cars as part of a version 9.0 software update coming in roughly four weeks. The exec didn't provide a full list of titles, but he indicated that Missile Command, Pole Position and Tempest would ideally be part of the release, which will make them available as Easter eggs. And crucially, you won't just be tapping the screen or twiddling thumbwheels. For Pole Position, you'll use the car's steering wheel to drive in the game.
Tesla aims to make 10,000 Model 3 cars per week in 2019
Now that Tesla is finally making over 5,000 Model 3 cars per week, it's eager to move to the next production goal... and it knows it needs to pick up the pace. As part of its second quarter earnings release, the automaker signaled plans to ramp up production to 10,000 Model 3 units per week sometime in 2019. The "majority" of its production lines would be ready for that volume by the end of 2018, it said, but it will still have to boost output in "certain places."
Tesla 'party and camper mode' turns EVs into tailgating machines
Teslas are nothing if not giant batteries on wheels, so it would only make sense if you could use the battery for something other than getting from A to B, wouldn't it? You will soon. Elon Musk has teased the future addition of a "party & camper mode" that will keep the car's climate systems, "selective" lights, audio and device-powering features alive for "48 hours or more" while the car is stationary. Yes, you could host an all-day tailgate party with your Model X while the music keeps pumping and your phone stays charged.
Tesla will charge for 'premium' internet on new cars starting July 1st
Ever since Tesla started offering cellular data access in its cars, there's been the implication that it would eventually charge for service. In 2014, it indicated that would start charging in 2018. Four years later, that moment is at hand... although it's not playing out as you'd expect. Electrek has obtained a sales team email indicating that Tesla is launching a paid Premium Connectivity package for cars ordered on or after July 1st. There will still be no-extra-charge (Standard Connectivity) cell access, according to the email -- you'll just have to pay to get features that current owners take for granted.
The Model X vs the I-Pace: A luxury electric SUV face-off
It's impossible not to compare the new Jaguar I-Pace with the Model X. They're currently the only members of the EV luxury SUV club. At least for now. BMW and Audi are both working on getting their electrified vehicles to market. But let's look at the differences between --not just two of the best EVs on the market -- but really two great vehicles overall.
Watch a Tesla Model X zoom inside a Boring Company tunnel
Someday, The Boring Company's tunnels could become a busy network of passenger-carrying shuttles, private vehicles and bicycles trying to dodge traffic. But right now, its existing tunnel under LA is pretty ahem boring -- save for a short moment last week when the company tested its vehicle transportation platform using a Tesla, that is. Sure, the event wasn't nearly as exciting as the time SpaceX sent Elon Musk's cherry-colored Roadster to space, but it still shows how a platform running on the tunnel's tracks would ferry private vehicles from one point to another.
Jaguar I-Pace review: A luxury EV that can tackle anything
A gentleman in a field peeks into the car and asks me to raise the height of the red First Edition I-Pace I'm driving then gestures towards a few feet of water ahead of me. "Don't go too fast, there are sharp rocks down there," he says. I've driven the car for a few hours already and am already a fan of its capabilities on paved roads and the luxury interior. Now I'm about to drive the crossover on a "surprise" off-road course and sure, why not. Let's do this.
Tesla will start enabling full self-driving features in August
Tesla has been promising true self-driving features in its cars for the better part of two years, but there has been precious little to show for it. Now, though, you might get what you paid for. Elon Musk has revealed that Autopilot version 9 should arrive in August, and Tesla will "begin to enable" the full autonomous driving features with that release. The company has "rightly focused entirely on safety" with previous versions, Musk said, but now it's time to spread its wings.
Tesla involved in fatal crash sped up before hitting road barrier
The NTSB released its preliminary investigation report concerning the fatal Tesla crash that occurred on March 23, 2018 in Mountain View, California today. The agency does note that the report is subject to change.
Tesla settles class action suit over Autopilot issues
Tesla has agreed a class action lawsuit settlement with Model S and Model X owners who claimed the Autopilot feature was "dangerous" and "essentially unusable." The settlement, which was filed at San Jose federal court late Thursday, doesn't cover any claims about the safety of Autopilot -- instead, it's compensation for the fact that Telsa has gone through a number of delays in rolling out updates to Autopilot to address these issues. A district judge still has to rubber stamp the settlement, Reuters reports.
Tesla releases source code for some of its in-car tech
Tesla doesn't have many fans in the open source crowd. It based its car platforms on open platforms like Linux and BusyBox, but it has gone years without sharing the source code their license (the GPL) requires. The company is finally setting things right, though -- more or less, that is. It has posted the source code for both the material that builds the Autopilot system image as well as the kernels for the Autopilot boards and the NVIDIA Tegra-based infotainment system used in the Model S and Model X. While they don't represent the absolute latest code, Tesla is promising to keep pace with newer releases.
Tesla batteries will live longer than expected, survey finds
Tesla batteries retain over 90 percent of their charging power after 160,000 miles, according to data gathered by a Dutch-Belgium Tesla owners group. According to its survey of over 350 owners, the EVs dropped about 5 percent of their capacity after 50,000 miles, but lose it at a much slower rate after that. If the trend holds, most Tesla vehicles will still have 90 percent capacity after around 300,000 km (185,000 miles), and 80 percent capacity after a whopping 800,000 km (500,000 miles).
Tesla insists Model X driver was at fault in fatal crash
When Tesla revealed that Autopilot was engaged during the fatal Model X crash in Mountain View, it only said that the vehicle's "logs show[ed] that no action was taken" even though the driver had time to react. Now, the automaker has issued another statement much stronger than that, saying that the only way the accident could have happened was if the driver (identified as Apple engineer Walter Huang) wasn't paying attention.
Federal investigators 'unhappy' Tesla revealed crash details
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is "unhappy" that Tesla released information about the fiery March 23rd crash that killed a driver. In a blog post last Friday, Elon Musk said that the Autopilot was active when the Model struck a highway barrier and caught fire. He also noted that according to vehicle data, driver Wei Huang didn't have his hands on the steering wheel for six seconds prior to the crash into a disabled safety barrier.
Tesla Model X driver dies in Mountain View crash
A Tesla vehicle is at the center of another tragic crash, and the company is coming under renewed scrutiny over safety concerns as a result. The driver of a Model X has died after his electric SUV collided with a median barrier on Highway 101 in Mountain View and was subsequently struck by two other vehicles. The incident destroyed the front half of the vehicle and sparked a fire that involved the battery, leading to Tesla sending an employee to investigate. Witnesses reported seeing a fireball during the crash.
Jaguar's electric SUV can go almost 300 miles on a charge
After what seems like an eternity, Jaguar finally has pre-order information for its I-PACE crossover SUV, which looks to take on Elon Musk's Model X. The truck will be available to purchase starting today in a handful of trim options, but a delivery date wasn't available at press time. In the UK, the I-PACE starts at €63,495 or, roughly, $87,216. For context, the Model X we reviewed was priced at $132,000.
Tesla Model 3 review: the fast and infuriating
I was standing next to the Model 3 when a guy on a bike rode by and yelled, "How is it?" My typical interactions with people who ask about Tesla's affordable sedan (so many people ask me about the car) typically take about five minutes. I point out the highlights and issues I've encountered while driving. Without thinking, I threw him a thumbs up. It was a gut reaction to a car I've come to adore but have also been confused by. I should have yelled, "It's complicated!
Pre-orders for Jaguar’s all-electric SUV start March 1st
You'll be able to see Jaguar's answer to the Tesla Model X March 1st. What's more, when the production model debuts next month, the British luxury automaker's I-Pace electric crossover SUV will be able to hit an 80 percent charge in 45 minutes thanks to an available 100-kW DC fast charger, Autoblog writes. That's up from a 80 percent charge in two hours when the I-Pace was still just a concept at the LA Auto Show in 2016, using a 50-kW fast charger. There's also a connected app that enables you to, essentially, warm the car up while it's plugged in. Autoblog also reports that pre-orders go live during the reveal next month, as well.
Elon Musk vows to build Tesla pickup truck 'right after' Model Y
Tesla has been hyping up the prospect of an electric pickup truck for a long time (you're looking at an artist's rendering above), but when can you expect to see it? You might have a clearer idea. As part of a call for feedback, Elon Musk has promised that the pickup will be made "right after" the Model Y crossover arrives between 2019 and 2020. We'd take that commitment with a grain of salt (remember how Tesla expected widescale Model 3 deliveries to start in 2017?), but it at least gives you an idea of what the EV maker is shooting for.
