Tesla: Mario Kart's Rainbow Road and Don't Fear the Reaper/SNL: More Cowbell Easter Egg

Model S
Model 3
Model X
Model Y
By Nuno Cristovao
Tesla's rainbow road easter egg
Tesla's rainbow road easter egg

The on screen animation of your car's environment will change. The computer vision generated road that the car is driving on, denoted by two lines, will change into a rainbow which is similar to that of Rainbow Road, the final level in each version of the video game Mario Kart.

At the same time, the song (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult plays in the cabin of the vehicle. Notably, the version of the song that plays is taken from the Saturday Night Live skit, More Cowbell, in which music producer "The Bruce Dickinson", played by host Christopher Walken, encourages Gene Frenkle, played by then cast member Will Ferrell, to play his instrument, the cowbell, with zeal.

As part of the easter egg, Christopher Walken can be heard stating his lines from the skit, that he "has a fever" and that the "only prescription, is more cowbell". While the music and lines from the skit will stop after a minute or two, the rainbow road will continue indefinitely until autosteer is disengaged.

If the car is not using autosteer, and the "Easter Egg Drawer" is used to activate the effect, tapping the cowbell will result in a message entitled "Rainbow Road". The message includes instructions on how to activate rainbow road, that Autosteer must be engaged, and a description of the effect. This information is followed by the exclamation, "I gotta have more cowbell!"

This easter egg works on the Models S, 3, X, and Y. Autosteer capable vehicles only.

To activate this easter egg: With autosteer engaged, push the right stalk behind the steering wheel down four times in rapid succession. The same control stalk is used to switch from park to drive or reverse, and to activate autopilot.

Tesla Diner Nears Grand Opening: First Look at Food and Potential Collectibles [VIDEO]

By Karan Singh
Thomas Adamian / Not a Tesla App

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.

Collectibles

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.

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 Officially Unveils Bigger, 6-Seater Model Y L

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

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.

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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).

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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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