The Model X Plaid will soon get Track Mode, according to Elon Musk
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Tesla's Model X Plaid has long been celebrated for its unrivaled speed and innovation. Boasting a breathtaking 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds, it is a testament to the extraordinary power of electric technology. This seven-seater SUV not only holds its own against the fastest of sports cars but even outperforms many on the quarter-mile drag strip.
Track Mode: A Revolution in Electric Vehicle Racing
Yet, there's been something missing from the Model X Plaid's toolkit: Track Mode. Track Mode takes the electric racing experience to an all-new level, enabling EVs to withstand the rigors of high-intensity track driving. Following its successful rollout on the Model 3 Performance and then the Model S Plaid, and more recently the Model Y Performance, the question was inevitable: when would the Model X Plaid get its turn?
Elon Musk's Vision: More Power for the Model X Plaid
During the recent 2023 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Tesla CEO Elon Musk gave a definitive answer to this question, confirming that Track Mode would indeed be coming to the Model X Plaid. Responding to a shareholder's query, Musk commented, "Yeah, we could probably add that, sure. No problem." This candid statement was met with enthusiastic approval from the audience.
Track Mode Improvements
Tesla recently made big improvements to Track Mode for the Model S Plaid, showing more information and making critical information front and center.
The speedometer is now large and centered on the instrument cluster, and the battery and motor temperatures are now more detailed and have moved over to the center display. In addition to those changes, Tesla is now displaying additional information such as front and rear brake temperatures, as well as tire PSI.
The Future of Track Mode: Enhanced Experiences Await Model X Plaid Owners
Yet, the implementation of Track Mode in the Model X Plaid is unlikely to be straightforward. As Musk has noted in the past, developing and tuning this mode for specific models can be challenging, given the need to ensure seamless performance under demanding driving conditions. Despite this, the announcement has electrified the Tesla community, sparking anticipation for what the future holds for Model X Plaid owners.
So, gear up and get ready. As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of EV performance, the advent of Track Mode on the Model X Plaid promises to unlock an even more thrilling driving experience.
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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.
Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades
Tesla
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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