Once again, Elon Musk has committed to making Track Mode available for the Tesla Model Y Performance. This request has been popular since the Model Ys started rolling off the production line in 2020. Tesla's CEO responded to the latest call for track mode on Twitter by stating: This is harder than it sounds but ok.
Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley made the latest request; it was a repeat of an initial request by the same group back in July 2020.
Musk often responds to this club's tweets. He's now committed to Track Mode on the Model Y Performance three times. On February 20, 2022, @_bennettm_ tweeted: "Could 3/Y owners with Acceleration Boost upgrade get Track Mode, or at least a traction control disable function? Would be helpful for some of us who want to track our cars. Thanks." Musk responded ok, which generated more than eight thousand likes.
Clearly, this has been on Tesla's to-do list, and enthusiasts eagerly await the upgrade. Given that Track Mode was made available on Model 3 Performance in 2020 and for the new Model S in 2021, many likely assume adding it to the Model Y would be reasonably straightforward. However, Musk's response, "This is harder than it sounds but ok," gives a glimpse behind the scenes. The hold-up or the complication is unclear, but it sounds like it may be ready soon.
There's a good reason the company wants to get this enhancement to Model Y. At the Tesla shareholders meeting in August, Musk said the Model Y is on track to be the best-selling vehicle worldwide by revenue in 2022 and will be the best-selling by volume in 2023. That's a lot of owners and potential buyers who would like to take their Tesla to the track.
Track Mode gets rave reviews for its effectiveness on the Model S Plaid and the Model 3. It allows drivers to modify several features in the car to get it track-ready. These adjustments are significant; for example, the user can put more bias to the rear motor to correct a loose corner entry or exit.
A look at Track Mode
Alternately there is the front-biased setup to correct under-steering. Users can also select how much assistance they want with stability or the level of regenerative braking. The post-drive cooling mode also keeps the vehicle decreasing the heat in parts lit up on the track. Plus, the system saves and times laps to a USB drive. It even shows g-force! Of course, the company warns that track mode is for closed circuit courses.
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It’s happening… According to an internal memo viewed by Business Insider, Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi Network to a new city. This expansion will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area and marks the first Robotaxi expansion.
According to Business Insider, this timeline was accelerated following the success of Robotaxi in Austin. Following a discussion with our own source, the rollout is expected to begin on Sunday morning. Interestingly, this timeline lines right up with the conclusion of the X Takeover event in San Mateo, which several Tesla executives are likely attending.
This launch will mark the second city for Tesla’s ride-hailing service, following its debut in Austin. As with Austin, the service will be invite-only for some Tesla owners, who will be able to hail and pay for rides via the Robotaxi app.
What to Expect
For this initial deployment, the Robotaxis will still be deployed with a human safety monitor, but with a catch. Unlike the Austin deployment, where the monitor sits in the passenger seat, the Bay Area monitors will be in the driver’s seat. This is a critical distinction, and for all intents and purposes, a safety driver. This is due to regulatory reasons, which we’ll dive into.
The service will operate within a geofenced area covering a wide swath of the Bay Area. The memo mentions that the area should cover Marin, San Jose, and much of the East Bay area. Tesla will once again be using the modified Model Ys it uses for the Austin Robotaxi Network - equipped with a second telecommunications unit.
We’re expecting Tesla to send out a round of invites in the coming days for owners local to the Bay Area.
Regulatory Grey Area
While the launch is a landmark moment for Tesla, there’s an interesting story behind just how they’re navigating the rollout of Robotaxi, given California’s complex regulatory environment. The presence of a safety monitor in the driver’s seat isn’t a precaution - it is exactly the way Tesla intends to push the deployment until formal federal regulations supersede municipal and state regulations on autonomous vehicles.
According to the California DMV, Tesla has a permit for testing FSD with a safety driver, but has not yet secured a permit for driverless testing or deployment. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates ride-hailing services, has also not received an application from Tesla for a commercial public service permit as of early July, according to Business Insider.
By keeping a fully capable monitor in the driver’s seat, Tesla appears to be operating in a regulatory grey area. The service could be defined as a “chauffeured ride-hailing service” that uses FSD as an “advanced driver-assist” feature, rather than a fully autonomous service. This allows Tesla to continue operating under its existing testing permits while it continues to work with the DMV and CPUC to obtain approval.
Elon previously mentioned that the Bay Area regulators have been extremely reasonable, so this strategy was likely developed in conjunction with the regulators to start the rollout early and obtain regular permitting as operations continue.
This is definitely a bold first step outside of Austin, and we’re happy to see that Tesla is pushing hard on expanding the Robotaxi Network. This allows Tesla to gather invaluable data on FSD performance in another dense and challenging environment, while also adding more paying customers to its network. Tesla also plans to expand to Florida and Arizona, as well as other US states and cities by the end of 2025, so there will definitely be more to come.
Tesla has gone all out, closely integrating the Tesla Diner into its vehicles and the Tesla app to create an exceptional Tesla experience.
The Tesla Diner also includes high-quality and sustainable food and exclusive Tesla merchandise to round out the experience.
Read on to learn how Tesla improves the take-out and dining experience of a restaurant by integrating it into its vehicles.
Ordering
The unique experience begins well before you even arrive at the Diner. When you choose to navigate to the Tesla Diner, you’ll receive a prompt in your vehicle about an hour before you’re scheduled to arrive.
The diner’s menu is built right into your vehicle - you can tap and scroll through the menu on the main display, adding items to your order. The menu is designed for a larger touchscreen, similar to those found in kiosks at Dunkin’ Donuts or McDonald’s.
In Car Delivery
So let me get this straight… it’s 2025, and I’ll be driving from Texas 🤠 to the @Tesla Diner in LA… as I approach Hollywood, I can pre-order burgers, dogs, fries, and drinks 🍔🌭🍟🥤 straight from my in-car UI… charges my @Tesla account, food served fresh as I pull into the… pic.twitter.com/Ogfl2gkKMb
Once you’re complete with your order, you can choose to dine in, pick up, or have the food delivered to your vehicle. The magic sauce here is that you don’t need to choose the time to have your food ready. Tesla automagically knows when you’re arriving and will have your food ready for you.
However, that’s not all. If you choose “In Car,” staff from the diner will bring your food out to you when you arrive. How will they know where you are? When you plug in at a Supercharger, the vehicle automatically communicates the stall number to the diner, letting them know you arrived and which Supercharger stall you’re in.
If, for some reason, your food isn’t ready when you arrive, you’ll automatically receive a message in your vehicle, letting you know that your food is being prepared.
Drive-In Movie
When you arrive at the diner, you’ll be offered to sync up your audio and video in the vehicle with the two large 45-foot LED screens. You’ll hear the audio right through your car’s speakers, no manual syncing or FM radio required. Your vehicle’s screen will also play the same video that’s displayed on the larger outdoor screens.
There’s now a Tesla Diner app that appears in Tesla Theater when you’re near the diner. This app lets you watch and listen to the movie or order additional food.
Payment
Similar to the food integration, Tesla’s payment solution is also seamless. Food payment is handled automatically through your payment options in the Tesla app, just as Supercharging is automatically billed.
In a classy move, Tesla automatically covers gratuity for its staff.
High Quality Diner Fare
Not a Tesla App
While one might expect standard fast-food fare, Tesla has made a deliberate effort to serve higher-quality food, focusing on responsibly sourced local ingredients. Tesla states that the vast majority of the ingredients are sustainable, local products available within a full charge of a Tesla, which means the Diner is sourcing directly from local farms.
We’d expect this commitment to be maintained when Tesla begins expanding their diners. Future Tesla Diners may serve local specialities rather than just classic diner fare.
Here’s a list of what Tesla does to maintain quality for the food:
Breakfast items use organic eggs from pasture-raised chickens, fed with all-vegetable grains
Bacon comes from heritage-bred pork
Flour tortillas are made with heritage organic wheat
Kombucha uses 100% raw, organic ingredients, and the yogurt and milk are also organic
Cheese is made without phosphates, starches, acids, or fillers
The fries are cooked in beef tallow
Tesla has put a lot of time and care into creating a great experience and menu. The food also comes in a neat little Cybertruck box if you’re ordering a burger or sandwich. Just remember there’s a rule when it comes to the box…
If you eat at the Diner, you must wear your burger box as a hat once you’ve finished your meal.
It wouldn’t be a special Tesla destination without some exclusive destination merch. Tesla offers a range of Diner-exclusive merchandise, as well as additional items available in the Tesla Shop, including classics like the Levitating Cybertruck and more.
The exclusive merch includes:
A Tesla Bot for Tesla Diner (unique to the Diner, all black, with special Diner-related items)
Tesla Retro Diner Tees and Hoodies
Tesla Retro Diner Lamp
Tesla Sweets - Supercharged Gummies
Tesla Diner Hats
Tesla Diner Pins, Salt/Pepper Shakers, and Drinking Vessels
Some of this merchandise, including the unique Diner Optimus, has been marked as having limited-time availability - so if you want it, you’ll want to get your hands on it soon.
Tesla’s Diner is a perfect expression of Tesla’s entire brand experience - seamless and premium. It combines the convenience of in-car tech with a fun, retro-futuristic atmosphere and a genuine commitment to food quality.
![Andrej Karpathy considers returning to Tesla to work on Optimus [video]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/news/2022/karpathy-podcast_300w.jpg)
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