Tesla makes their cars even safer with seat belt pretensioning
Tesla
Elon Musk used Tesla's quarter two earnings call to highlight several accomplishments made by his company in recent months, including one that may have gone under the radar.
In the 2022.20 update, Tesla introduced a Seat Belt System Enhancement. Musk expanded on the upgrade and its importance to the auto industry.
"Our safety team also introduced a feature that tension seat belts if the vision system detects an imminent collision, which has never been done before," said the CEO as he described the predictive, vision-based seat belt tensioning program.
While the seatbelt is considered the single most effective safety technology in the history of the automobile, it has a fundamental flaw as it only provides tension when there is an impact.
However, Tesla's advanced camera system has made seat belts safer. "The car has got to be crunching to trigger the seatbelt tensioner, but because we have the vision, we can actually see that a collision is about to occur with 100% probability before it actually happens."
Tesla's Q2 document shows a chart that displays the seat belt tension performance in three different scenarios, belted, belted with a pre-tensioner and belted with the vision system. The vision system mirrors the vehicle's deceleration closest and shaves off milliseconds to better restrain the occupants.
Tesla compares seat belt occupant accerlation using various systems
Tesla
"This is a fundamental safety advantage that Teslas are now able to offer. And there is also an over-the-air update, so this is something that will be in place in all cars that have at least AP3 hardware," said Musk. This latest update further enhances its outstanding safety features; it provides a pretension to the seat belt and can adjust the airbag deployment faster.
The Seat Belt System Enhancement is available in update 2022.20 and higher and the feature is available for all newer Teslas, which includes the new Model S and Model X, all Model Ys, and newer Model 3s.
Tesla prides itself on developing the safest vehicles on earth. The Model S, Model X and Model 3 scored the lowest overall probability of injury of any vehicle ever tested by the U.S. government's New Car Assessment Program. The NHTSA has assessed Teslas with a 5-star safety rating. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given Teslas the top safety pick numerous times. Most recently, calling the Model 3 the Top Safety Pick of 2022, IIHS gave high marks in every category, including superior scores for front crash prevention.
This latest safety improvement, yet another trailblazing moment for the automotive industry, will surely draw more kudos and, hopefully, save more lives.
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Today, Tesla published its 2024 Q1 report, showing revenue of $21.3 billion, 9 percent lower than the same period last year and a total GAAP gross margin of 17.4%, down 19.1% in Q1 2023.
The company teased its upcoming Robotaxi and its next-generation platform saying its “purpose-built Robotaxi product will continue to pursue a revolutionary ‘unboxed’ manufacturing strategy”.
Tesla mentioned that it suffered “numerous challenges“ during the first quarter including the Red Sea conflict and the arson attack on its GigaFactory in Berlin and the ramp-up of the updated Model 3. Earlier today Tesla officially announced its new Model 3 Performance model.
Accelerating the Launch of its Next-Gen Model
The company said it will accelerate the launch of new models including its upcoming “$25k,” next-gen vehicle. Tesla stated:
“We have updated our future vehicle line-up to accelerate the launch of new models ahead of our previously communicated start of production in the second half of 2025. These new vehicles, including more affordable models, will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms, and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.”
When it comes to layoffs, Tesla says it undertook “a cost-cutting exercise to increase operational efficiency” adding it is “focused on profitable growth” by “leveraging existing factories and production lines to introduce new and more affordable products”.
“The future is not only electric, but also autonomous. We believe scaled autonomy is only possible with data from millions of vehicles and an immense AI training cluster. We have, and continue to expand, both. To make FSD (Supervised) 5 more accessible, we reduced the price of subscription to $99/month and the purchase price to $8,000 in the US.”
Robotaxi
Tesla also revealed that its Robotaxi will now differ from its next-gen vehicle. Although Tesla will follow more traditional processes for producing its more affordable vehicle, Tesla says the Robotaxi will still follow the new, more efficient, “unboxing” manufacturing strategy. This comes just days after Musk said the Robotaxi will essentially be its next-gen model without a steering wheel.
Tesla’s quarter-end cash, cash equivalents and investments were $26.9 billion.
Earlier today, Tesla launched officially the highly expected Model 3 Performance with deliveries starting in May. The new version starts at $45,490 (after applying the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit).
In recent weeks, the company has been reducing prices in its primary markets, including China and the United States. The initiative followed the recent introduction of lower and even 0% interest financing programs in certain markets.
At the time of this writing, Tesla stock is currently trading 7 percent higher at $145 per share.
Today, a few hours before releasing their first quarter financial results, Tesla launched the highly anticipated Model 3 Performance. The new version starts at $45,490 (after applying the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit) and deliveries are scheduled to start in May.
With 510 horsepower and a top speed of 163 mph, the new Performance variant brings an improved sound system, a re-designed interior featuring more comfortable rear seats with some features coming directly from the recently revamped Model 3. Tesla also says that the new Performance model has “significantly less” road and wind noise thanks to the rear spoiler and changes to the front bumper.
“The front and rear fascias, rear diffuser and carbon fiber spoiler work together to help reduce drag and improve lift balance at high speeds”
Tesla’s most powerful Model 3 ever is now cheaper than the Model 3 Long Range after the federal tax credit. The Model 3 Performance model is the only Model 3 variant that is eligible for the government incentive.
Performance
The new Performance model comes with 20
While the new Performance model is largely based on the recently revamped Model 3, while including design changes to the front and rear diffuser, as well as the addition of a rear spoiler. In terms of performance, the model announced today offers a 22% increase in continuous power, a 32% increase in peak power, and an additional 16% of peak torque. The Performance model now has 500 hp and includes a “performance” motor that’s unique to the Performance model.
0-60 mph in 2.9 510 hp / 741 Nm 163 mph top speed — Performance-tuned chassis Same quiet & comfortable cabin plus bespoke chassis hardware for improved stiffness and higher performance baseline.
The new Model 3 Performance is capable of going 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the previous incarnation. It didn’t take long for Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk to comment on X stating that the Model 3 Performance is “quicker than a Porsche 911.”
Specs of the new Tesla Model 3 Performance
Track Mode V3
The new Model 3 Performance is equipped with an updated Track Mode, v3, that features an all-new calibration for the powertrain and adaptive suspension.
Tesla's Track Mode V3
Range
The Model 3 Performance has an EPA range of 296 miles (476km) on a single charge, an increase of 10 miles (16km) when compared to the previous version while being slightly lower than the Long Range variant.
Rear Display
As seen in the revamped version of the Model 3, Tesla is also bringing the rear 8” touchscreen with climate controls, Bluetooth connectivity and entertainment for the rear passengers. With Tesla update 2024.14, Tesla is improving the rear screen by adding trip information, time and temperature information to the top of the display.
Exterior view of the new Tesla Model 3 Performance
All-new Adaptive Suspension
According to Tesla, the new adaptive dampening system adjusts to driver and road input in real-time. While the new Model 3 already included suspension improvements over the previous generation, the Performance model takes it one step further.
New Seats
The new model includes the new Sport Seats that we’ve seen in spy shots before. Although the new model is officially named “Performance,” the sport seats feature the Ludicrous badge. The seats include improved side and cushion bolsters to help keep you in an ideal driving position
The new Sport seats feature the Ludicrous badge
Deliveries
The model just went up for sale a few hours ago, but orders placed minutes after the launch show an estimated delivery of May/June 2024 in the United States. In Canada, where the Model 3 Performance starts at CA $69,990, the estimated delivery is currently slated for June/July.
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