Models
Former PSA Chairman Says Tesla’s Valuation Makes No Sense
Tesla is a hot company with its own, growing community of fanboys that are relentless in sharing their beliefs. In some respect, it’s understandable – some of the world’s largest automakers could learn a thing or two from Tesla. But can the company continue as it has? As reported by pymnts.com, Tesla’s market value just hit $820 billion on January 8, 2021, pushing the company into the top 5. This puts the company under Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. This means Tesla has seen a 700-percent growth in market value over the last year, and Wedbush analyst – Daniel Ives – saying Tesla could become a $2 trillion company within two years. Is it sustainable and how is it possible?
The Tesla Model Y’s Sentry Camera Will Melt Snow So It Can Always See
Tesla cars are loaded with weird, unorthodox features and gimmicks. But there are some of them which are absolutely fantastic, one of them being the Sentry mode. There have been numerous instances in the past where the Sentry mode has recorded suspicious activities done to and around the car and has proved very helpful. Thanks to this post on Reddit, we’ve now come across another nifty little feature that helps keep the Sentry mode on guard even in the toughest conditions – a heater that melts away the snow on it.
This V-8 Tesla Swap Came Together Quite Nicely
In case you missed it, Rich Rebuilds started a Tesla V-8 swap sometime back and uploaded a video about the same. What makes this swap unique is that people have converted internal combustion-engined cars to EVs, but not the other way around. Some folks have attempted it, but none have managed to reach completion. Rich embarked on the same journey, but he has managed to successfully plonk a V-8 engine under the hood (or the frunk, if you’re a stickler for terminologies) of the Tesla.
Tesla Rolls Out A Holiday Update That Turns Your Car Into A Boombox
Tesla’s holiday update this year includes a feature known as ‘Boombox’. It makes use of the external speaker to turn your car into a, well, boombox. While it can be used as a source of entertainment to play your media, it can also be used to create fart sounds. Well, if that kind of humor amuses you, go ahead, install the upgrade, and scare the unsuspecting folks who pass by your vehicle.
The World’s First V-8-Swapped Tesla Model S Is In The Works
We’ve seen a lot of internal combustion-engined cars converted to electric cars. It isn’t as complicated as going the other way round. In fact, no one has successfully managed to convert an EV to a fuel-powered vehicle ever… until now. Rich Rebuilds, the YouTuber known to work on discarded, damaged Teslas, is here with a ridiculous project that no one has ever finished – plonking an internal combustion engine in a Tesla. But, Rich is on the verge of achieving it by swapping the electric powertrain with a V-8 engine.
Tesla Cars Might Be Getting Cheaper, But Supercharging Is Getting More Expensive
Tesla’s pricing for its models is going down, but the automaker is making up from those prospective losses by raising the prices for using its Supercharger network. That appears to be the case after a report from the Aussie website CarExpert indicated that charging at any of Tesla’s 35 Supercharger stations in the Land Down Under will now cost AUD0.52 (USD0.37) per kilowatt-hour. That’s an increase from the AUD0.42/kWh (USD0.30) that Tesla was charging as recently as September. Since 2017, the cost of charging a Tesla in Australia has gone up by as much as 23 percent, and with Tesla’s model price cuts continuing, don’t expect the cost of using the Supercharger network to flatten out, either.
Quick Comparison: GMC Hummer EV vs Tesla Cybertruck
Discontinued in 2010 after 18 years of the market, the Hummer nameplate returned in 2020. But this time around, it’s not a standalone brand, but a model sold under a GMC badge. The even bigger news is that it’s fully electric. Set to go into production in 2021, the truck version will go against the spectacular Tesla Cybertruck. But does it have what it takes to compete with Elon Musk’s oddly-shaped hauler? Is it powerful enough, does it have enough range, and is it actually a proper successor to the original Hummer design-wise? Let’s find out in the comparison below.
Here’s Why You Should and Shouldn’t Buy a Tesla
There’s no denying that Tesla has changed the face of the EV industry. The company has forced other automakers to take this segment seriously. However, Tesla has the most loyal and most critical followers when compared to other brands. On one hand, you have people praising the brand and putting it on the pedestal, on the other you have people criticizing it in the worst way possible. But whether you like it or hate it, you can’t ignore it.
Given all the stuff you hear about Tesla, you might be confused about whether to opt for one or not if you’re out there to buy a car or an SUV. Well, we’re giving you five reasons each on why you should buy a Tesla and why you shouldn’t.
The Tesla Cybertruck’s First Public Outing Has Generated Tons of Attention
It’s been around seven months since the Cybertruck was officially launched. The truck is no more a closely guarded secret and it has been seen driving around L.A., but Tesla never made it accessible to the public… until now.
The automaker loaned a prototype of this one-of-a-kind truck to the Petersen Automotive Museum for the public to get a closer look. The truck is already on display and will be there till June 27.
The Tesla Cybertruck Could Have a Folding Rear Window for Expandable Cargo Room
By now, you’d expect Tesla to have zeroed down on the production version of the Cybertruck. However, the company is still making tweaks here and there and is even accepting suggestions from the public. A Twitter user recently suggested flipping down the rear window and folding the body panel to increase storage. Elon Musk replied saying it’s worth considering. It’s quite a good idea and will help people who carry long items in their trucks often.
How Many Humans Does it Take to Charge a Tesla Model X?
A lot of ideas in the past have emerged where it has proposed that devices like iPods and mobiles be charged using human kinetic energy. This inventor named Janne Käpylehto has done the same, but for a much larger ‘device’.
He created a power generating station for converting human energy to charge the Tesla Model X. Did he succeed? Of course he did, but the desired result may not be very pleasing to everyone. Nevertheless, it’s an innovation.
Watch the Tesla Cybertruck Cruise Around Mars in This Fan-Made Video
When we got the first glimpse of the Cybertruck, we were convinced that this vehicle doesn’t belong here and it sure is ‘out of the world’. It became the talk of the town for its unconventional, unorthodox design philosophy. But, how would it fare on another planet? Thanks to this video by youtuber Holmes Draws, we can now imagine how the Tesla would look on outer space.
Tesla Slashes Prices For Model S, Model 3, and Model X
Tesla has reduced the prices of its three most popular models in what seems to be an attempt to revive demand and sales. Riding on the back of a fairly successful quarter, Tesla is looking to repeat the feat at a time when many automakers are even struggling to break even.
The electric automaker has lowered the price of the Model 3 by $2,000, the Model S and Model X by $5,000. The Model Y doesn’t get a price cut, which makes sense considering it’s a newly-launched product.
Elon Musk Threatens to Move Tesla HQ to Texas/Nevada, Could Shutdown Fremont Factory
Elon Musk is always in the news for some or the other reason, but this one is serious. He announced that Tesla will move its headquarters from California to Texas or Nevada due to California’s response to COVID-19.
The ongoing pandemic has left a big dent on all the businesses worldwide. However, they are slowly trying to get back on track by cautiously starting business activities again. Many automakers across the States are also resuming production activities this month, however, California plans to start from June 1. This led to Musk lashing out at the decision and shocked everyone with the announcement on Twitter. Was this response a little too harsh from the outspoken CEO?
The $70,000 Tesla Model Y Has a Lot of Build Quality Issues
Back in May 2018, Tesla was looking for auto technicians to work on repairing vehicles that just came off the production line in Tesla’s Fremont plant. Two years later, the company still can’t get car assembly right, not even on a $70,000 Model Y. So, should Tesla still claim that it makes premium automobiles?
Did You Know That All Of Tesla’s Products Are Acronymized To Spell SEXY CARS?
Back in February this year, Tesla took part in the Scaled Machine Learning Conference. Tesla’s Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence Andrej Karpathy gave a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence for full self driving.
While the whole presentation is informative and throws light on Tesla’s scaling machine learning models, data algorithms, and infrastructure, there was one particular slide that caught our attention. This showed the whole Tesla range consisting of eight products and the font used to depict them spells out as SEXY CARS. Is this a mere coincidence or an intentional wordplay?
The Man Behind the Tesla Model S Says the Lucid Air Sedan is Better
Peter Rawlinson has worked for many big automotive companies in his career. He has worked as the Principal Engineer at Jaguar, Chief Engineer of Advanced Engineering at Lotus, and most recently, as the Chief Engineer who made the Tesla Model S what it is today. Presently, he’s associated with Lucid where he looks after the same stuff along with looking after the company as the CEO and CTO.
MotorTrend spoke to him recently about his time at Tesla and his current projects, and Rawlinson went on to say that his upcoming sedan, the Lucid Air, is better than the Tesla Model S. Given the man’s stellar reputation and the work he’s done in the past, will the Air dethrone Tesla and be the new premium electric sedan?
Elon Musk Says The Cybertruck Will Be Able To Float For A While
Cybertruck news just can’t stop coming in. Yesterday we heard about the truck receiving a few structural changes, and now Musk says it will be able to float. Yep, you read it right; this news is fresh off the boat.
When asked by a Twitter user about the Cybertruck’s wading depth, Musk said it will even be able to float for a while. Now, this seems a little improbable given the nature of the vehicle, but the man has made similar claims before for the Model S as well.
Here’s How to Put A Bigger Motor Into A Tesla Model S 75D
Rich Rebuilds is famous for its EV mods and for fixing flood-affected Teslas. For his most recent project, he converted a friend’s Model S 75D into a P100DL. His friend wanted to trade in his 75D for a P100DL, but the options were pretty expensive.
That’s when he reached out to Rich and asked him to convert the present car to a much more powerful and efficient one. All said and done, this conversion was successful and it cost him one third of the price of a new P100D altogether.
The Tesla Cybertruck Is Slowly Transitioning Into a Normal Pickup
Musk took to Twitter to give us some more updates about the Tesla Cybertruck. He said that the truck will be about three-percent smaller in size, more balanced centerline, and flaunt a lower sill height for the windows. Now, these tweaks aren’t going to change the overall looks of the truck, but they will make the Cybertruck look more proportionate and well-balanced than the prototype. Since the truck is still some time away, expect more such subtle changes to come.
Elon Musk Wants The Tesla Cybertruck to "Kick Butt in Baja"
Apart from the recent Plaid version, it’s been quite some time since we heard anything about the Cybertruck.
A Twitter user felt the same and tweeted Musk asking for some information. Musk obliged and said that Tesla is working on improving the Cybertruck’s air suspension so it can “kick butt in Baja”.
For the uninitiated, Baja 1000 is a Mexican off-road motorsport race that features all sorts of vehicles customized for off-roading. Imagine a bizarre-shaped electric vehicle drifting, flying, and racing on mud. Oh, and also think about how would it look with all the customizations and graphics on the body?
A Plaid Tesla Cybertruck is Coming
Musk is known to make many important announcements on Twitter. The latest news is concerning a fast Cybertruck. Musk confirmed that the Tesla Cybertruck will be receiving a Plaid version in the future.
Musk replied to a disgruntled Tesla fan when he was expressing his dilemma over how he wants to own the Cybertruck but his better half doesn’t. Amidst this banter, Elon Musk said out of the blue that “Plaid Cybertruck is what I’ll drive.” Since it’s Musk that we’re talking about, you can consider this as a confirmation on the Plaid Cybertruck. Didn’t see that one coming, did you?