News
Tesla employee foregoes $1M payment, works with FBI to thwart cybersecurity attack
Sometimes, the events that transpire inside a company could be just as exciting and nail-biting as the most popular thrillers in fiction. In Tesla’s case, such a scenario recently played out, as a worker in Gigafactory Nevada ended up turning down a $1 million incentive, working closely with the FBI, and thwarting a planned cybersecurity attack against the electric car maker.
This Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of Egor Igorevich Kriuchkov, a Russian citizen accused of conspiring to breach the network of a US company and introduce malware to compromise the said company’s networks. Media reports about the incident have identified the US company to be electric car maker Tesla. Interestingly enough, a criminal complaint filed by the FBI Las Vegas Field Office suggests that the attempted cybersecurity attack is no ordinary hacking attempt — it may very well be part of a well-financed, organized, scheme.
The plan begins
The remarkable story began when a Russian-speaking, non-US citizen working at Tesla’s Gigafactory Nevada was contacted by Kriuchkov. The employee, whose identity has not been revealed, has access to the electric car maker’s computer networks. On July 16, the Russian citizen contacted the Giga Nevada employee through WhatsApp asking to meet with him in Sparks, Nevada. As noted in a report from Clearance Jobs, the fact that Kriuchkov approached a Russian-speaking, non-US citizen working at Gigafactory Nevada suggests that the team behind the cyberattack attempt has done their research well.
The Tesla employee, some colleagues, and Kriuchkov met socially from August 1-3, which included a trip to Lake Tahoe. Interestingly enough, Kriuchkov reportedly declined to be present in any photos that were taken during the trip. At one point when the group was taking a photo during a picturesque sunset, Kriuchkov reportedly remarked that he would “just remember the beauty of the sunset and did not need a photograph.” After the relatively harmless Lake Tahoe trip, the Russian citizen asked the Tesla employee to meet with him for some “business.”
Down to “business”
During their “business” meeting, Kriuchkov revealed his hand. The plan involved the Tesla employee inserting malware provided by Kriuchkov and his associates to the electric car maker’s systems. After the malware is inserted, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack would occur that could allow the hackers to occupy the Tesla information security team. The malware would also allow the hackers to extract corporate and network data, which would be held ransom until the electric car maker pays up. For his participation in the ploy, the Gigafactory Nevada employee would receive $500,000, later raised to $1 million, to be paid in cash or bitcoin.
Unfortunately for Kriuchkov and his team, the Giga Nevada employee actually reported the planned cybersecurity attack to Tesla, which, in turn, contacted the FBI. The FBI stepped in, and with the agency’s help, the Tesla employee continued to communicate with Kriuchkov, trying to get as much information as possible about the hackers’ processes, procedures, and infrastructure. The efforts proved fruitful. In one conversation, the hacker reportedly boasted that his team had recently received a ransom worth over $4 million from a high profile company. Later reports would reveal that the company in question was CWT Travel, which reportedly paid a ransom of $4.5 million.
The plan falls through
During a meeting on August 19, the Tesla employee, wearing a wire from the FBI, met with Kriuchkov. The hacker agreed to pay an advance of $11,000 to the Giga Nevada worker. Two days later, on August 21, the Tesla employee was contacted by the hacker once more, who stated that the project was being “delayed” and all payments relating to the plan would not be transferred until a later date. Kriuchkov also informed the Tesla employee that he was leaving the area the following day. Behind the scenes, the FBI was able to get in touch with the hacker, who, in turn, drove overnight from Reno, Nevada to Los Angeles in what appeared to be an attempt to flee the United States.
Kriuchkov was unsuccessful, as he was arrested on August 22, 2020 in Los Angeles. The hacker is currently being detained pending trial. Fortunately for Tesla, the company was able to get away from what could have been a serious cybersecurity attack, and it has one employee to thank for it. It takes a lot, after all, to say no to a $1 million reward, as others have compromised far more for far less.
Read the FBI’s complaint against Kriuchkov below.
Complaint Egor Kriuchkov 3 20 Mj 83-0-0 by Simon Alvarez on Scribd
News
Tesla Model Y Performance zips around Nurburgring with new features
With the performance, there are some improvements to interior aesthetics, but the goal with this particular trim of Tesla vehicles is to improve performance and aerodynamics, bringing a truly first-class experience to one of the best and fastest vehicles on the road.
The long-awaited Tesla Model Y Performance has been spotted zipping around the famed Nurburgring in Germany, a popular location for new vehicles to test their limits ahead of public release.
Earlier this year, Tesla executives Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy both indicated that the updated and upgraded Model Y Performance would be on its way by the end of 2025, and it appears that time is coming close.
New images captured by Wilco Blok and Teslaplaidtokde on X show the Model Y Performance wrapped in camouflage, sporting a handful of new features as the lightning-fast version of the world’s best-selling vehicle prepares for a launch in various markets across the world:
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- Credit: Wilco Blok on Instagram
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- Credit: Wilco Blok on Instagram
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- Credit: Wilco Blok on Instagram
New Features
According to Blok and Teslaplaidtokde, the new Model Y Performance will feature a variety of new improvements compared to the past version.
This is something that was expected, as the launch of the new Model Y over the past year has shown various changes that made a great vehicle even better.
With the performance, there are some improvements to interior aesthetics, but the goal with this particular trim of Tesla vehicles is to improve performance and aerodynamics, bringing a truly first-class experience to one of the best and fastest vehicles on the road.
View this post on Instagram
Here’s what was mentioned as changes so far that have been seen on this test mule at Nurburgring:
- New 21″ wheels
- All black headliner, a big change that was included in the Model Y L, the first time a Model Y has had that option
- Updated brakes
- Bucket seats that appear to be similar to the new Model Y L in China
- New Carbon Fiber Spoiler
- Performance Badging
- Changes to both the front and rear bumper
- Suspension with Adaptive Dampers
View this post on Instagram
Expected Performance Metrics
These are not official figures, but this is what is expected based on what has been seen at the Nurburgring:
- 510 horsepower
- 0-60 MPH in 3.2-3.4 seconds
- 280-290 miles of range
- Anticipating the release of a new Track Mode
The previous iteration of the Model Y Performance featured 503 horsepower and a 0-60 MPH of 3.5 seconds. It also had a top speed of 155, which we believe will be improved with the next version of the Y Performance.
Here is some footage of the Model Y Performance running around the Nurburgring ahead of its release:
🚨 The Tesla Model Y Performance appears to have run some spirited laps at the Nurburgring in preparation for its launch https://t.co/PccY2KY2NF pic.twitter.com/Cd1TVwhNZq
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) August 18, 2025
Tesla has not yet listed any date or timeframe for the Performance variant to be released. However, it is anticipated to be released by the end of 2025.
News
More Tesla Cybercab equipment are arriving in Giga Texas
Tesla is still moving full steam ahead with its preparations for the Cybercab.
All eyes today are on the Model Y L, but this does not mean to say that Tesla’s other key projects are being put on the back burner.
Based on recent images taken of the Giga Texas complex, it appears that the electric vehicle maker is still moving full steam ahead with its preparations for the Cybercab, its two-seat dedicated autonomous Robotaxi.
New equipment deliveries
As observed by longtime Giga Texas watcher Joe Tegtmeyer during a recent flyover, Tesla is currently hard at work setting up the Cybercab lines. Based on the drone operator’s observations, much work is being done on the facility’s structural pack area, which has resulted in the buildout of more mezzanine floors and the installation of new equipment.
“The structural pack area has been undergoing a lot of upgrades over the past few months, including more mezzanine floors, production expansion & new equipment installation, & these images are an example of this work underway,” the drone operator wrote in a post on X.
Based on the pace of preparations being done in the Giga Texas complex, it appears that initial production of the two-seat Robotaxi might start soon. Tesla, after all, has an aggressive target for the ramp of the Cybercab.
Cybercab targets
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that he expects a run rate of about 2 million Cybercabs per year. For context, Tesla has yet to produce such a number from its existing lineup to date, even with the company’s production facilities across the United States, China, and Germany. Musk has stated that the Cybercab will be mass-produced at Giga Texas, but it will also be manufactured in other facilities when it is fully ramped.
The Cybercab has a few tricks up its sleeve that should make it easier to produce. These include its “Unboxed” process, which should allow Tesla to ramp the production of the autonomous two-seater quickly. Elon Musk has noted in the past that the Cybercab line will be unlike anything that the world has ever seen, as it would resemble a consumer electronics line more than a conventional automotive assembly system.
News
A Tesla Model Y L Robotaxi is a legitimate $47k Waymo killer
The Tesla Model Y L is several things for the electric vehicle maker.
The Tesla Model Y L is several things for the electric vehicle maker. It is a competitor in China’s unforgiving premium family hauler segment, and it is also a dedicated family car that rivals the Model X in space at a far more affordable price.
More importantly, the Model Y L is a deathblow for competitors in the autonomous ride-hailing market, such as Waymo.
All space and comfort
A look at the Model Y L’s cabin would immediately give the impression that Tesla worked hard to ensure that the vehicle is as comfortable as possible. Its second row seats are equipped with cooling and heating functions, and its third row seats are actually spacious enough for regular-sized adults.
A number of the Model Y L’s features are evidently designed to provide optimum comfort to passengers, such as its second row seats’ electric armrests and extendable thigh support system. Even otherwise minor improvements in the Model Y L like its A/C vents on the third row seem designed to ensure that passengers on all three rows are provided with a luxurious and comfortable ride every time they step inside the vehicle.
The price and scale advantage
The Model Y L’s amenities are great for road trips and short stints across the city, and they are especially great if one were to look at the vehicle as a dedicated autonomous Robotaxi. As a Robotaxi, the Model Y L will be very difficult to challenge. It could easily offer comfortable seating for five passengers while still providing a lot of cargo space for Robotaxi riders. And considering all its amenities, Tesla could even position Robotaxi rides in the Model Y L as a slightly more premium option for customers.
But ultimately, it would be the Model Y’s price and scalability that would be the true killer in the autonomous ride-hailing market. Tesla sells the Model Y L in China for $47,180, which is only a fraction of the cost that it takes to produce one autonomous Waymo self-driving vehicle. The Model Y L is also produced in the same lines as the standard Model Y, which means Tesla would likely be able to build large fleets of Model Y L Robotaxis in a very short time. When that happens, Tesla’s dominance in the Robotaxi market may indeed be undeniable.
Tesla Model Y Performance zips around Nurburgring with new features
More Tesla Cybercab equipment are arriving in Giga Texas
A Tesla Model Y L Robotaxi is a legitimate $47k Waymo killer
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