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Mod turns your Tesla into a rolling surveillance system
The Sentry Mode on Tesla cars has been helpful for catching thieves, but one security researcher wants to illustrate the advantages and pitfalls of taking that camera system to its logical conclusion. Tevora's Truman Kain has developed a Surveillance Detection Scout mod that effectively turns a Model 3 or Model S into a rolling observation deck. The project plugs an NVIDIA Jetson Xavier computer into a USB port and uses open source machine learning to detect both faces and license plates. It sends a phone notification if it repeatedly spots the same plate or person, giving you a warning that someone may be tailing you or preparing to steal your car.
Tesla revives free Supercharging for new Model S and Model X orders
Tesla has temporarily brought back Supercharging with conditions before, but it's not holding back this time around. The automaker is once again offering free, unlimited Supercharger access for all new Model S and Model X purchases -- not just inventory cars, used cars or referrals. About the only catch is that it's linked to the time of ownership and can't be transferred.
Tesla rolls out fix for Dog Mode overheating bug
You don't have to worry about Rover roasting due to that Dog Mode bug. The company has confirmed to Engadget that it's rolling out a fix for a flaw that disabled the automatic temperature regulation if you manually set the fan. You can leave your EV knowing that your pooch should stay cool regardless of settings. The person who drew attention to the problem, Unikrn's Rahul Sood, has already received the patch.
Tesla raises base prices for Model S and Model X
Yes, Tesla is still fiddling with prices -- and whether or not you like it depends on which electric car you were looking for. The company has once again dropped the Standard Range versions of the Model S and Model X, raising the respective base prices to $79,990 and $84,990. The vehicles are now that much more out of reach for some buyers, then, although people splurging on the Performance variants do get the Ludicrous option at no extra cost -- that's a $20,000 savings. And Model 3 buyers will, for the most part, be smiling.
Musk: Tesla is not working on a Model S or Model X refresh
Tesla fans got excited last month after rumors of a Model S refresh started doing the rounds -- a driver near Tesla's Hawthorne design studio claimed to have spotted a mysterious test car, and of course the internet was abuzz with theories. Alas, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that there's no refreshed Model S -- or X for that matter -- on the horizon.
Tesla delivered a record 95,000 cars this spring
Tesla didn't have the greatest start to 2019, but it's looking rosier toward the middle of the year. The company set records for both production and deliveries in the second quarter, having made 87,048 electric cars and delivered 95,200 of them during the three-month span. Those are large strides compared to both the last quarter (77,100 made and 63,000 delivered) and a year earlier (53,339 made and 40,740 delivered), and leave Tesla with a nicer problem than it has had in recent times: a growing production backlog.
Tesla drivers can play 'Beach Buggy Racing 2' starting today
A new wave of behind the wheel gameplay is coming to Tesla. The company announced that it has started rolling out Beach Buggy Racing 2 to vehicles today. A new, Tesla-compatible version of the mobile game by Vector Unit will be available on every vehicle with an over-the-air software update. And unlike the current selection of games in the Tesla Arcade, Beach Buggy Racing 2 has a twist: it has direct wiring to the car's brakes and steering wheel.
Tesla's mystery test car may be a Model S refresh
For the most part, Tesla's Model S has maintained a familiar look since it was introduced in 2012 -- the largest external change was the elimination of the fake grille back in 2016. There might be a refresh looming on the horizon, however. A driver near Tesla's Hawthorne design studio spotted a mysterious test car that he suspected might be a refreshed Model S design. While the car's wrapping and the brevity of the encounter prevented gathering many details, the observer noted "bigger" headlights as well as taillights that weren't present on other Tesla cars.
Elon Musk talks up Tesla's 'Cyberpunk truck,' and 400-mile range EVs
This year at Tesla's annual shareholders meeting the conversation went pretty much as we'd expect, with teases of some upcoming products, muttering about negative media coverage and plenty of confidence from CEO Elon Musk. Specifically, he responded to speculation that Tesla is having trouble meeting sales targets by saying that "I want to be clear, there is not a demand problem." According to the company, 90 percent of sales for the Model 3 are going to people who aren't reservation holders, and later on during the event Musk indicated Tesla still isn't thinking of running advertisements. Noting that electric cars introduced recently still don't have more range than the original Model S when it launched in 2012, Musk said that it won't be long before Tesla offers an electric vehicle capable of going 400 miles between charges.
'Cuphead' will be available to play in Tesla cars
Do you feel the Atari titles in Tesla cars are a little too easy for your parking lot gaming sessions? You're about to get something much harder. Elon Musk has revealed to IGN's Ryan McCaffrey that Studio MDHR's retro-styled, legendarily difficult side-scroller Cuphead should be playable on the Model 3, Model S and Model X later this summer. Storage in the cars will limit you to playing Inkwell Isle One, and you'll absolutely need a USB gamepad to play. Still, this could be a blast to play while you're Supercharging -- so long as you don't translate frustration with the game to the road, at least.
Tesla rolls out Model S and X battery software update after Hong Kong fire
Tesla has responded to reports about a Model S bursting in flames in Hong Kong by rolling out a software update to beef up its vehicles' battery life and safety. The incident happened three weeks after a video of a parked Model S exploding in Shanghai made its way around Chinese social media. While the automaker is still investigating the incident and continues to maintain that its vehicles "are 10 times less likely to experience a fire than a gas car," it says it released the update out of "an abundance of caution." The update has already started landing on Model S and X vehicles -- it doesn't sound like it'll be available for Model 3 sedans.
Tesla will begin selling its own in-house insurance 'in a month'
Tesla released its Q1 2019 earnings on Wednesday and despite having a significant slowdown from the previous quarter, the company remains confident that it will meet its ambitious production goals for the year.
Tesla's Model S and Model X get new motors with more range
Unlike most automakers, Tesla has refreshed the designs of its existing cars on rather sporadic schedules, and the latest tweaks for its Model S and Model X are here. Confirming earlier rumors, the flagship sedan and SUV are getting a redesigned powertrain that uses the same "permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor" and associated technology we first saw in the Model 3. It uses a permanent magnet motor up front to either power the car or regenerate energy under braking, with an induction electric motor in the back that engages when extra power is needed. Production on the updated versions will start this week at its Fremont factory and buyers can start ordering them online today.
Tesla will 'substantially' raise the price of its self-driving option
You might want to act quickly if you're determined to get a Tesla vehicle with self-driving capability. Elon Musk has warned that the price of the Full Self-Driving package will "increase substantially over time," starting with a hike on May 1st. He didn't give a ballpark of his own, but said it would be "something like" the $3,000 suggested by one Twitter follower. It currently costs $5,000 to add the (eventual) full autonomy when ordering a car, and $7,000 if you want it later.
Tesla may outfit Model S and X with longer-range motors
Tesla's Model S and Model X sales fell sharply at the start of 2019, but the company might have a way to entice hesitant buyers: give them the range they're asking for. Electrek sources claim the brand is planning to outfit its older EVs with new motors based on the same permanent magnet reluctance technology you find in the more recent Model 3. While the exact specs aren't available, the greater efficiency of PMR (97 percent versus 93 percent for the current AC induction motors) would likely wring out some extra range without noticeable compromises to the design.
Tesla's parking lot Summon upgrade arrives in the US next week
Tesla is ready to bring its parking lot-savvy Summon upgrade to its cars in earnest. Elon Musk has revealed that Enhanced Summon will be widely available in the US next week to Tesla owners who sprung for either the Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving packages. Tap a button in the Tesla mobile app and your EV can drive to you, saving you the trouble of walking to the far end of the lot. You can either have it drive to your current location or to a specific pin.
Tesla adds '2048' and Atari’s 'Super Breakout' to its dashboards
Tesla is adding more free games to the dashboard display on Model S, Model X and Model 3 cars. Super Breakout and 2048 are joining other Atari classics Missile Command, Asteroids, Lunar Lander and Centipede, which Tesla added in August. To date, hundreds of thousands of people have played those games, according to the automaker.
Tesla's Navigate on Autopilot won't need to confirm every lane change
Tesla has long asked you to flick the turn stalk to confirm Autopilot's lane changes, but you won't have to do that for much longer. The EV designer is rolling out an update to Navigate on Autopilot that gives you the option of disabling the turn stalk requirement. Toggle that and the car will change lanes on its own, delivering notifications through a visual prompt as well as an optional chime. If Tesla made your car after August 2017, you can also get a cue through steering wheel vibrations.
Tesla unveils its Model Y crossover
To say Tesla has been busy lately is a bit of an understatement. It finally opened orders for its long-awaited $35,000 Standard Range Model 3, it reversed a decision to shutter some of its showrooms, and it showed off its V3 Supercharging. So why not keep the news coming with the unveil its next car... err SUV, the Model Y
Tesla's change of heart will bring Autopilot prices 'back to normal'
Tesla's partial about-face on vehicle pricing will also have an effect on Autopilot pricing. Elon Musk has confirmed that prices for Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving will "revert to normal" on March 18th. The company shouldn't have dropped prices in the first place, Musk said, and only did so "because some simply couldn't afford it." Some existing owners felt as if they'd been ripped off after paying higher prices for features that still weren't fully unlocked.
