Tesla's Track Mode gives the driver even more control over their vehicle by giving them the ability to adjust various settings.
Track Mode in 2021.44.30
JbTeslaman/Twitter (Edited by Not a Tesla App)
The driver can adjust the handling, traction control, and regenerative braking of the vehicle. These settings can improve the handling and acceleration of the vehicle when turning corners.
With Track Mode drivers can also modify the balance of the car to favor a full rear-wheel-drive layout.
In addition to being able to adjust these settings, Track Mode also shows additional visualizations. For example, there’s a g-force graph that allows the driver to see the amount of g-force when turning corners, and you can also see the temperature of the tires, motors and the battery pack.
G-force meter in a Model 3 Performance
Until now, only Performance or Plaid models have been able to take advantage of Track Mode, but this could soon change.
Track Mode was originally designed and calibrated for the Performance Model 3 which is equipped with performance brakes and tires. It is still not available for the Performance Model Y despite being announced last July. With the recent software update 2021.44.30, Tesla rolled out Track Mode to the Model S Plaid, so it’s possible the Model Y may be next.
In addition to customizing how the vehicle handles, the increased performance cooling, and the visualizations, Track Mode also includes some additional features.
Track Mode will let you set start and finish markers on the map. When these markers are set, the car will automatically display lap timings and record each lap through the car's cameras.
The cameras used during track mode are the same ones that are available when using the Dashcam. However, when using Track Mode, the car will automatically save each lap as a separate video to your USB drive.
According to Elon, we will see Track Mode become available for non-performance versions of the Model 3 and Model Y.
In a recent Twitter conversation between @_bennettm and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, it was revealed that Track Mode will be available for non-performance models. When asked if Model 3/Y owners with Acceleration Boost upgrade could get Track Mode, Musk responded "Ok".
While Track Mode is said to come to non-Performance models with the Acceleration Boost upgrade, it may soon be available in some capacity for all models. Over-the-air performance upgrades are nothing new for the automaker. Tesla launched a $2,000 Acceleration Boost upgrade for some select vehicles last year.
Track Mode on Model 3
Owners with Acceleration Boost, and maybe even those without it can expect Track Mode to become available in a software update in the near future. It's also a good possibility that Tesla may release Track Mode for the Model Y at the same time.
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For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.
Price Increase
The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.
The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.
The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.
Free Lifetime Supercharging
For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.
There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.
We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.
Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.
Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.
Optimus is Blind
Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer.
Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.
Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips.
What’s Next?
Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.
Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.
There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.
We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.
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