Tesla’s new in-car AI assistant, Grok, will be getting a hands-free wake word soon. Tesla added Grok to its 2025.26 update, and it’s already working on ways to improve the feature.
Elon Musk stated on X that Grok will soon be able to be activated on Tesla vehicles with the “Hey, Grok” wake word. The conversational assistant will feel even more human-like by having it respond to its own name.
Currently, Grok is activated with a long press of the voice command button (or a long press of the right scroll wheel on older vehicles). A single tap of the button/wheel is currently reserved for the outgoing voice command system, which is expected to be replaced by Grok in the future.
When you’re barely touching the steering wheel on FSD, having a wake-word will be especially useful since you don’t want to deactivate Autopilot accidentally by grabbing the steering wheel.
Grok in a Tesla is going to be far more useful than on a phone or smart speaker, because Grok has access to a whole set of real-time contextual data about the vehicle and its surroundings. While Grok already has access to your vehicle’s location, in the future it’ll be tied in with a lot more, likely knowing your destination, route, battery level, and a lot more. This is all data that Grok will be able to use and take into account when responding to one of your questions.
“Hey, Grok - what’s the best coffee shop along my route that’s within 15 minutes?” will be easily answered by Grok in the future.
Expect More Improvements
Seamless, hands-free activation will be a big improvement for voice commands, especially if the syntax isn’t as rigid as it is today. “Hey Grok, turn on the heated seats”, or “Hey Grok, add a stop at the nearest coffee shop.”
While Grok is going to be an in-development product for quite some time, the confirmation of a wake word tells us that Tesla is already planning its next set of improvements. We don’t expect these to be added all at once, but we can see a long list of features that could be added to Grok.
Once Grok has access to vehicle controls, we expect it to be much more capable than it is today, not only from a syntactical point of view, but also in terms of the actual functions it could control. For example, you may be able to ask Grok to open your garage door when you get home, or tune to a specific radio station at a specific time.
Now, we just need to be able to talk to our vehicles from outside, Knight Rider style.
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The very first Tesla Diner in Hollywood appears to be in its final stages of preparation before its grand opening. There’s been a flurry of activity on site, mostly focused on wrapping up and finalizing all the details. That includes stress testing the on-site Superchargers, testing the movie screens, recording what appears to be a promotional video, and taste-testing the food.
There are a lot of potential menu items, but we have our first look at some of the food that will be served at this 24-hour diner. There are also what appear to be some collectibles that Tesla will give away to patrons. It’s all coming together.
Lights, Power, Action!
Thomas Adamian / Not a Tesla App
Recent observations by readers Thomas Adamian and @tesla_lighting_ show that the diner is now fully operational, at least from an infrastructure standpoint. The Superchargers outside the building are now being stress-tested, making sure they’re ready for what’s sure to be a packed opening day. After dark, the diner itself is all nicely lit up, with a large, retro-style Tesla Diner logo shining brightly.
The two large movie screens have been spotted lit up numerous times, but the best sign that the Tesla drive-in diner is ready to open is that Tesla appears to be filming on-site, in what will likely be a video posted to YouTube and other social media channels.
A First Look at the Menu
@tesla_lighting_ / Not a Tesla App
For the first time, we’ve finally got a sneak peek at the type of food that will be offered at the diner. We’ve been expecting traditional diner fare, so this list of food isn’t surprising.
The items spotted on the tables for taste-testing included hot wings, sandwiches, and a side of either salad or coleslaw. These will be joined by other staples, including burgers and hot dogs, which were also spotted.
Tesla is extending its Tesla Diner branding to drinkware and likely other tableware. The soft drink cups can be seen sporting Tesla’s lightning bolt logo. There also appears to be what looks like a Cybertruck-themed takeout box or a platter of some sort (can be seen on the very bottom left of the food image above).
Tesla previously teamed up with McDonald’s to offer a Cyber Spoon, so it’s possible they may make similar type offerings at their own diner.
Tesla has invested a lot in making this a unique destination. There’s no doubt that this place will be packed nearly 24/7 and will surely be a fan favorite destination.
Opening
While we haven’t heard of an official opening date yet, these final preparations, from promotional filming to taste testing, indicate that the wait for Tesla’s first Diner and drive-in movie experience is nearly over. Let’s hope it goes well, and they continue expanding the Tesla Diners across the globe.
Tesla has unveiled its 6-seat Model Y variant in China, known as the Model Y L. This new variant of one of the world’s best-selling vehicles comes with a longer wheelbase, adjusted C-pillar design, and most importantly, a six-seat interior layout.
The vehicle’s specifications have been officially listed in a filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), confirming a launch for this fall.
Not a Tesla App
The addition of a longer wheelbase and a more spacious third row is a fantastic addition for the Model Y’s family utility, and positions this variant as sort of a mini Model X, but let’s compare the sizes to really know how this new Model Y compares to a Model X.
Meet the Model Y L
The defining feature of the new Model Y L is its six-seat configuration. This layout has previously been exclusive to the larger and more expensive Model X. While Tesla has offered the Model Y in a 7-seat configuration before, the third row was much too small to be utilized by anyone but small children.
Comparing Model Y L to the Model X
@xiaoteshushu on X
Let’s compare this upcoming Model Y L to the regular Model Y and the Model X.
Vehicle/Dimension
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Model Y
2,890mm / 113.8 in
4,797mm / 188.9 in
Model Y L
3,040mm / 119.7 in
4,976mm / 195.9 in
Model X
2,965mm / 116.7 in
5,060mm / 199.2 in
The new wheelbase of 3,040mm is a significant stretch from the standard wheelbase, and in fact, is longer than the Model X’s wheelbase of 2,965mm. However, the overall length of the vehicle is 84mm (~3 inches) shorter than the Model X. This means the vehicle sits neatly between the current Model Y and Model X, filling a much-needed gap.
While this Model Y L is slightly smaller than the Model X, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s smaller inside. The Model X features a much larger front end than the Model Y, accounting for several inches. When you line up the front wheel base of the Model X with this new Model Y, the vehicles are almost exactly the same length.
Tesla has designed this Model Y to be a bit more compact and efficient than the Model X, and likely much cheaper, while featuring the well-loved design of the new Model Y.
Other Specifications and Price
The MIIT filing also provided a detailed look at some additional specifications. The Model Y L is a dual-motor, AWD variant, so it will likely be more expensive than the current Model Y AWD that’s available in China today. Tesla charges an additional $6,500 USD when upgrading the Model X from a 5-seat configuration to a 6-seat layout, so we may see something similar here.
The extra length has been added behind the C-pillar, resulting in a longer rear profile for the Model Y L. To accompany this, Tesla has added an updated rear spoiler, similar to the one found on Performance variants, but not carbon fiber. There is also a new wheel design to complement the updated look, along with unique Model Y L badging and a new light gold paint option.
In classic Tesla fashion, no Tesla is slow - and the Y L has a 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) time of 5.9s, with a top speed of 217km/h. Alongside an 82.5 kWh LFP battery pack, the Model Y L boasts an impressive CLTC range of 688 km (427 mi).
Not a Tesla App
Launch & Availability
According to posts from Tesla China on Chinese social media, the new Model Y L is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2025. Its official listing in the MIIT database is essentially the final regulatory step required before sales can begin, which means the launch is really just around the corner. For now, it appears that Tesla intends to launch this vehicle only in China, as no other filings have been made in other regions. However, these could be revealed in the coming months.
The new Model Y L is a huge addition to Tesla’s lineup - one that addresses the Chinese preference for vehicles with longer wheelbases and additional passenger room in a compact SUV package. The question is - will this variant make its way to North America and Europe?
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