Tesla Cybertruck Holds Up Well After Rollover Test

Tesla's Cybertruck after a suspected ditch rollover test

Cybertruck Owners Club

Tesla's highly anticipated Cybertruck continues to be put through the paces, and while security around the vehicle has been tightened, video and images are still popping up.

The latest is a Cybertruck that was involved in testing a ditch rollover. The source of this insider glimpse came from a modest TikTok account @ctllogisticsinc, belonging to trucking company CTL Logistics. Despite the video vanishing from the account, the ever-vigilant Tesla community comes through again. Stills and video footage have been preserved on the cybertruckownersclub forum, giving us deeper insight into the truck's performance in the challenging situation.

The images reveal a Cybertruck that has been through a rigorous ordeal, yet its cabin remained notably intact, shielding what is inside with a remarkable degree of safety. Even the glass roof, although smashed, withstood shattering — a promising indication of its protection to the vehicle's occupants from flying shards in the event of a rollover.

Standing Firm Amid the Test

While the details of the ditch rollover test's parameters remain unknown, the preserved visuals affirm the Cybertruck's substantial build and its resiliency in safeguarding its interior. This is a testament to Tesla's continued emphasis on vehicle safety, prevailing yet again with the Cybertruck, contrary to the early speculations regarding the steel frame's safety attributes.

Behind the Exoskeleton

As we further dissect the visuals, a discussion surrounding the Cybertruck's exoskeleton construction arises. Initially promoted as a breakthrough in vehicle manufacturing technology, recent sightings have portrayed it leaning towards a traditional unibody frame with flat panels instead of the customary curved ones.

This recent crash test sighting lends weight to this perspective, showcasing how the external panels bore the brunt of the impact, indicating a departure from the originally touted exoskeleton concept. Nonetheless, the Cybertruck exhibited less deformation than what one would expect from a vehicle enduring such a crash, attesting to the durability of its ultra-hard stainless steel body panels.

Inside the Unyielding Fortress

Despite the damage to the outside, the interior looked nearly untouched; indeed, there were signs of debris with airbag deployment and broken side windows, but it was not bad. The revealed rear seat showcased an 8-inch rear screen that stood unharmed amidst the chaos. Also, similar to those found in the new Model 3, the unique ambient light strips embedded in the door emphasize Tesla's consistent dedication to a harmonious blend of safety and luxury.

The Cybertruck's release looms closer, and this inadvertent reveal casts a promising light on its safety features and interior amenities. While we wait for Tesla to send the official delivery invites, the Cybertruck seems to have passed the ditch rollover relatively unscathed.

Thank you to Tesla enthusiasts who contribute to the Cybertruck Owners Club and the unwavering Tesla community that consistently has eyes everywhere, ensuring no moment passes undocumented in the Tesla universe.

A Closer Look at Tesla's Ambient Lighting Feature in the New Model 3 and Cybertruck [Video]

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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If you look up ambient lights for Tesla, you'll see several ads for third-party light kits. Perhaps this is why Tesla added its own Ambient Lights feature to the new Model 3. So, let's get enlightened.

Tesla's ambient lights are thin light strips that are embedded in each of the vehicle's doors near the top edge. It also curves around the dashboard near the windshield, giving passengers a near 360-degree light effect.

Supported Models

Tesla new ambient light feature is available on the new Model 3 (2024+), and will be available on the Cybertruck in a similar manner. With a refresh ongoing for the Model Y, known as Juniper, it will likely also have ambient lights. That just leaves out the most luxurious flagship vehicles, the Model S and X, for now.

The Model S and Model X could be due for a minor refresh that would not only add ambient lighting, but also include a front-bumper camera that the Cybertruck has and the new Model 3 is expected to have in the near future.

Customization

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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The ambient light settings allow you to light up the interior in a color that reflects your mood or preference. Under Controls > Lights > Accent Lights, you are handed the freedom to choose virtually any color to adorn the interior of your Tesla.

You have control over whether the ambient lights are on, off, or set to an "Auto" setting, though not fully clarified, seems to promise intelligent lighting adjustments akin to our control over dome lights, offering a reduction in reflections during drives.

While the ability to control the brightness level seems missing, Tesla did include color presets, letting you curate a series of your favorite colors.

It should be noted that the changes are confined to the light strips on the doors and dash, steering clear of the footwell lights and other interior lighting.

Future Enhancements

With Tesla, we can be assured there will be enhancements to this feature in a future update. In fact, the Tesla community is already busy coming up with useful suggestions. Some owners thought Tesla should take advantage of the lighting to provide driver feedback, such as automatically changing the ambient lighting to a red hue when there's a vehicle in your blind spot. Tesla could also glow the light strip on a door if it's not closed properly, or use the lighting to provide feedback when Sentry Mode is enabled.

Other uses could be more fun, such as cycling the light through various colors when the 'Rainbow Road' easter egg is activated.

Ambient Lighting in Action

While the possibilities are endless and Tesla engineers will surely have fun coming up with creative uses for the feature, the biggest improvement we can hope for in the near future is the ability to adjust the light intensity.

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Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Performance Details Discovered in European Documents

Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades

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Tesla outdid itself with the refreshed Model 3, known as the Highland. Despite all the fantastic upgrades, something is missing - the Performance version or perhaps the Plaid. The letter "T" has shown up on vehicle certificates in Europe, and despite Elon Musk's sense of humor, it is unlikely this is a Mr. T reference.

Deciphering the 'T'

A new document shows the new Model 3 Performance will have a dual motor

eivissacopter / X

Diligent scrutiny of the European Type Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW and shared on the TFF Forum, revealed a subtle yet pivotal alteration — including the letter 'T' in the eighth digit of the Model 3 Performance's VIN.

This seemingly minor detail, indicative of the vehicle's motor/drive unit type, sparked curiosity and speculation on the forum. Could it be a tri-motor setup to usher in a new Plaid version of the Model 3? This vehicle has already got endless amounts of zip, but three motors? May The Schwartz Be With You!

This could also explain the Model 3+ badging that was spotted during the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China inspection of the refresh. However, the regulatory filings highlighted just two distinct variants of the car: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 194 kW motor and an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup that combines to deliver a formidable 331 kW of maximum power.

Initial conjectures leaned towards the possibility of a tri-motor setup, drawing parallels with the Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X. However, a deeper dive into the certification document clarified that the Model 3 Performance retained its Dual Motor setup, dispelling the possibility of a tri-motor upgrade.

Strategic Enhancements: A Glimpse into Potential Upgrades

Given the documented specifications, it becomes plausible that Tesla has strategically enhanced one of the dual motors, potentially aligning it with the advanced motor found in the Model S/X Plaid. This modification is poised to augment the top-end speed and acceleration of the Model 3 Performance, addressing its comparative limitations in extended races against traditional gas-powered supercars.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 refresh has become the new Bigfoot of the roads of North America, with rare sightings posted on social media. However, it appears the continent is excluded from the initial launch of the Model 3 Highland. Internal communications within Tesla suggest North American enthusiasts might have to exercise patience until 2024.

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