Tesla offers Long Range model owners the ability to increase their vehicle's performance
The Kilowatts/Twitter
If you haven't driven a Tesla, you might not be familiar with the rollercoaster-like feeling of going from 0 to 60 mph. The Long Range Model 3, for example, can accomplish this in 4.2 seconds as-is. All Teslas pull you off the line almost instantly and are already quicker than most internal combustion engine vehicles.
What if, though, you could increase the speed of your Tesla even more? We break down what Tesla's Acceleration Boost is, and whether it's worth the price tag.
What Does Tesla's Acceleration Boost Do?
If you drive a Long Range Model 3 or Model Y, you may be able to purchase the 'Acceleration Boost' upgrade that increases your vehicle's acceleration and lowers your 0-60 time.
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range already has an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph time of about 4.2 seconds. With Acceleration Boost, Tesla claims that time is reduced to 3.7 seconds.
The Tesla Model Y Acceleration Boost shaves off half a second on the vehicle’s 0 to 60 mph time, dropping its run from 4.8 seconds down to 4.3 seconds.
It’s worth highlighting that these are the only two vehicles that are eligible to purchase this upgrade. When Tesla first started delivering the new Model Ys with the 4680 cells, owners of the Standard version were able to upgrade, but the company has since removed this option.
Acceleration Boost vs Performance Times
While Acceleration Boost will give you a very noticeable boost in all performance aspects, it will not turn your vehicle into a Performance model.
Here are the 0 to 60 mph time comparisons between the Long Range model, Long Range with Acceleration Boost and Performance models.
Model
Long Range
Acceleration Boost
Performance
Model 3
4.2 seconds
3.7 seconds
3.1 seconds
Model Y
4.8 seconds
4.3 seconds
3.5 seconds
As you can see from the table above, a Long Range model with the Acceleration Boost upgrade falls roughly between a Performance model and the Long Range model in terms of acceleration.
An owner independently tests out Tesla's Acceleration Boost
MagnusMako/Tesla Motors Club
The graph above was created by an independent owner and displays the vehicle's performance from 0 to 10, 0 to 20, 0 to 30 and 0 to 60 mph after purchasing Tesla's Acceleration Boost. From the graph we can see how the vehicle's acceleration rate remains fairly constant from 0 all the way to 60 mph.
Does Acceleration Boost Add Track Mode?
Track Mode is a feature that is exclusive to Performance models. It allows you to adjust how your vehicle handles and performs. For example, it allows you to adjust features that may be useful on a track, such as adjusting the motor bias from front to rear, reducing traction control or adjusting vehicle cooling.
Although vehicles with Acceleration Boost have better performance than their Long Range counterparts, they do not include Tesla's Track Mode feature.
Is Acceleration Boost Worth It?
While the Acceleration Boost update can be a costly one at $2,000, it unquestionably gives drivers acceleration capabilities that are comparable to those of the Performance model.
According to Tesla drivers who have purchased the upgrade, the actual acceleration boost is quite notable and affects all speeds, not just 0-60 mph.
On the other hand, your Model 3 or Model Y's quick acceleration will result in quicker tire wear. Additionally, it can result in decreased efficiency, which results in higher ownership costs. However, this does depend on the individual and how often they take advantage of the speed boost.
Performance models are usually quite a bit more expensive than the Long Range models, so in terms of value, the Acceleration Boost upgrade is a good deal that will increase the vehicle's value. If you own your vehicle, you'll also likely recoup some of the upgrade's cost if/when you decide to sell the car or trade it in at some point in the future.
Cost and How to Purchase
The price for Acceleration Boost hovers around USD 2,000, depending on your region and local tax rate. Owners can conveniently purchase the upgrade directly from their Tesla app, or through Tesla's website.
To purchase or see if the upgrade is available for your vehicle, open the Tesla app and navigate to the Upgrades section.
Then tap on Software Upgrades and if the feature is available for your Tesla you will see Acceleration Boost listed.
If you'd like to purchase the upgrade, make sure your vehicle is in Park and connected to Wi-Fi or has a strong cellular connection so that the vehicle can download an updated configuration.
You can add the Acceleration Boost upgrade to your cart and follow the payment instructions.
The upgrade is a one-time payment that can be made with a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay. However, it is not possible to add the cost of the upgrade to your lease or vehicle loan payments.
Once the payment has been processed, the update should only take a few minutes to show up in your vehicle.
How to Check if Your Vehicle Has Acceleration Boost
Once you've made the purchase, you can confirm that you have received the upgrade by tapping on Controls (car icon) and navigating to Software. Below your vehicle's image, you'll see a list of features, including possible features like Full Self-Driving, Premium Connectivity and more.
If your car has received the upgrade, you should now see Acceleration Boost listed.
In addition to the upgrade appearing under the Software tab, you can also navigate to the Pedals & Steering section and your acceleration choices will now be 'Chill' and 'Sport,' instead of the previous options of 'Chill' and 'Standard.'
Your vehicle should now be noticeably faster.
An owner independently tests out Tesla's Acceleration Boost
Smvarg/Medium
Is there an Acceleration Boost Trial?
Although not formally promoted as a trial period, Tesla does provide you the chance to get a refund for your original purchase within 48 hours of purchase, if you change your mind or the upgrade didn't meet your expectations.
It is not possible, however, to receive another refund if you re-purchase the Acceleration Boost upgrade at a later time. Any future purchases for Acceleration Boost will be final.
The Acceleration Boost upgrade might be worthwhile for you if you frequently travel on long, open highways or appreciate experiencing the acceleration surge when you depress the pedal. But if you use your Tesla for routine activities like grocery shopping or being stuck in traffic on the way to and from work, it might not be the best bang for your buck.
However, if you initially had your eye on the Performance model and ultimately decided on the Long Range version, Acceleration Boost is a great way to get closer to the performance of the higher-end trim.
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Tesla's latest V12 user interface will change the look and feel of some of the vehicle’s operations. This new interface, announced on X, is already partially available on the Cybertruck but will now be rolled out to the Model 3 and Model Y, equipped with AMD Ryzen processors according to Tesla. However, the new Model S and Model X will likely receive it as well, although possibly not at the same time. It integrates several new features and aesthetics that set new standards in vehicle interface design.
The new interface will become available in Tesla update 2024.14, which started rolling out to employees yesterday.
Centralized Vehicle Visualization
A standout feature of the v12 UI update, not to be confused with FSD v12, is the centralized vehicle visualization, which dominates the display while parked (shown in photo). This design choice enhances visual appeal and improves functionality by placing critical vehicle performance metrics, and status updates front and center. Similar to the layout in the Cybertruck, this feature provides drivers with a clear and immediate view of their vehicle's status and shows off the gorgeous 3D model.
Improved Navigation
The navigation system will see several improvements. You’ll now see a little trip progress bar that lets you visually see how far along you are on your route.
If your vehicle has a rear screen, as in the new Model 3, the redesigned Model S or Model X, then trip information such as ETA will also be displayed on the rear screen.
Tesla already has the ability to update your route if a faster route becomes available. You can change some of these settings under Controls > Navigate. However, now the vehicle will show you if a faster route becomes available and gives you a chance to cancel the updated route if needed.
Expanded Autopilot Visualizations
Tesla is now bringing its full-screen visualizations outside of North America. However, there will be some improvements as well. In addition to being able to have the visualizations go full screen, there will now be a small map displayed in the corner as well.
That’s one of the issues with the full-screen FSD visualizations right now. If you make them full-screen, you lose your navigation map completely and only have the next turn available.
This will be the first time full-screen visualizations are available outside North America. It’s not clear whether all the FSD visualizations will be available such as traffic lights, curbs and more will be displayed, but Tesla has slowly been adding additional visualizations for non-FSD users, so there’s a chance that this feature will finally display all FSD visualizations to users outside of North America.
It’s not immediately clear whether this feature will require Enhanced Autopilot or FSD.
Full-Screen Browser Support
With this update, Tesla will finally let you manually make the browser full-screen. While this will make Tesla’s Theater apps a little redundant since they just loaded the website of the selected streaming service, you’ll now be able to stream any video service full screen, as long as the service supports Tesla’s browser.
As expected, the full-screen button will only be available while the vehicle is parked.
Checking Compatibility and Availability
Owners can verify their vehicle’s compatibility with the new full-screen visualizations while parked and driving by navigating to Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Info on their Tesla’s touchscreen. This update is tailored for Tesla vehicles equipped with the AMD Ryzen processor.
Elon Musk liked a post on X that wrapped up a difficult day for Tesla. The post read: Elon re-enters wartime CEO mode. Musk also changed his X profile picture back to the Devil’s Champion costume he wore in 2022 for Halloween. The wartime post by Tesla insider @ChrisZheng001 comes after the company announced a major reduction to its global workforce by over 10%. This decision affects roughly 14,000 employees across various levels and departments. Musk also said goodbye to several long-term, key executives.
Musk’s Wartime Shift: A Strategic Necessity
The concept of a "wartime CEO" versus a "peacetime CEO" originates from Ben Horowitz, a renowned venture capitalist and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz. In his book, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers," Horowitz describes a wartime CEO as a leader who operates under conditions of extreme stress and competition, making tough, fast decisions necessary for survival. This contrasts with a peacetime CEO focusing on expansion, culture, and development during more stable periods.
About every 5 years, we need to reorganize and streamline the company for the next phase of growth
Musk's recent re-adoption of the wartime CEO posture is a strategic maneuver as Tesla faces significant internal and external challenges. With the electric vehicle market becoming increasingly competitive and Tesla initiating major projects like the Robotaxi, Musk’s leadership style has aligned with these high-stakes circumstances.
Executive Departures, Overhauling Workforce
The company plans to overhaul its workforce, reducing its size by over 10 percent to eliminate redundancy and enhance productivity. Simultaneously, Tesla is pushing forward with significant technological innovations that promise to redefine its future. Such intense transformation and challenge periods necessitate a wartime approach, where decisiveness and direct action are paramount.
The layoffs coincide with the departure of several high-profile executives, including Drew Baglino, Senior Vice President of Powertrain and Energy, who had been with Tesla for 18 years, and Rohan Patel, Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development and an eight-year veteran of Tesla. Both executives have decided to leave the company to focus on personal priorities and have no immediate plans for future engagements.
The Role of a Wartime CEO at Tesla
Musk focuses sharply on navigating Tesla through these turbulent times as a wartime CEO. This includes making hard decisions on layoffs, streamlining operations, and prioritizing critical projects over others. Musk noted in his layoff announcement to staff via email.
There is nothing I hate more, but it must be done. This will enable us to be lean, innovative, and hungry for the next growth phase cycle.
However, adopting a wartime mentality may impact Tesla's corporate culture, potentially leading to a more hierarchical and less collaborative environment in the short term. Musk is also aware of that and addressed it in the same email, stating: For those remaining, I would like to thank you in advance for the difficult job that remains ahead. We are developing some of the most revolutionary technologies in auto, energy, and artificial intelligence. As we prepare the company for the next growth phase, your resolve will make a huge difference in getting us there.
Conclusion: Preparing for Tesla’s Next Big Leap
As Tesla continues under Musk’s wartime leadership, the emphasis is on rapid adaptation and the successful rollout of new technologies. The company's ability to manage these changes effectively and maintain its competitive edge in the electric vehicle market will be crucial. The ultimate goal of this wartime approach is to ensure that Tesla not only survives the current challenges but emerges stronger and more innovative, ready to lead the next phase of growth in the automotive and energy sectors.
This shift back to wartime CEO mode is a critical strategy for Musk and Tesla. It signals a period of intense focus and strategic recalibration aimed at securing Tesla’s position as a leader in the global push for sustainable transport and energy solutions.
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