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Tesla Model S duels 2018 Ford Mustang GT in head-to-head 1/4-mile battle

[Credit: 1320 Races/YouTube]

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There is a reason why Tesla’s vehicles are forces to be reckoned with on the quarter-mile. With instant torque available from their electric motors as soon as the accelerator is pressed, Tesla’s electric cars are capable of hitting impressive 0-60 mph sprints. This is true for all the company’s offerings, including vehicles that are already a few years old.

Released as a top-tier variant of the award-winning family sedan, the P90D enjoyed the moniker of being called Tesla’s “Ferrari Killer” for a while, before it was discontinued in favor of the Model S P100D. During its reign at the top of Tesla’s lineup, the Model S P90D achieved a number of impressive feats, particularly when the company rolled out the Ludicrous Mode upgrade for the electric car. With the update, Car and Driver dubbed the Model S P90D as the first four-door sedan it has ever reviewed to have broken the sub-3-second mark in 0-60 mph tests.

Since the Model S P100D started its reign, the Model S P90D practically became the proverbial middle child of Tesla’s lineup. This became evident last year when the company introduced a free performance upgrade to owners of Model S 75D and 100D vehicles. The Model S P90D, together with its non-performance sibling, the 90D, were left out of the “uncorking” program.

This is not to say that the vehicle is not a formidable force on the drag strip anymore. A video uploaded at the New England Dragway by YouTube’s 1320 Races showcased the Model S P90D taking on a 2018 Ford Mustang GT, a vehicle that features the legacy American automaker’s latest and greatest innovations for its iconic muscle car.

Power-wise, the 2018 Ford Mustang GT is no joke, with 460 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque from its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. Coupled with either a 6-speed Manual or a 10-speed Automatic transmission, the Ford Mustang GT is capable of propelling itself from a dead stop to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. The vehicle even comes with a special Drag Strip Mode, which optimizes the car’s transmission for optimum straight-line performance. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT is available with an optional GT Performance Package as well, which makes the car perform even better.

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Would all the 2018 Ford Mustang’s advancements be enough to topple Tesla’s Model S P90D though? As the two vehicles’ drag race shows, not really. The 2018 Ford Mustang’s driver was unfortunate enough to have a bad start in its race against the Tesla, and coupled with the Model S P90D’s instant torque from its two electric motors; the pony car simply could not keep up. The Model S ended the race in dominating fashion, finishing the quarter-mile at 11.56 seconds at 113.47 mph. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT was able to complete the quarter-mile in 12.44 seconds while traveling at 114.97 mph.

It seems like it would only be a matter of time before Tesla’s electric cars can start dominating on the track as well. The Model 3 Performance, which is equipped with Tesla’s 2170 cells, has a dedicated track mode, which Elon Musk describes as an “Expert User Mode” that would allow drivers to optimize the settings of the vehicle to maximize its performance. On the drag strip, the Model 3 Performance is plenty quick as well, capable of giving a McLaren 570S a run for its money on the quarter-mile.

Watch the Model S P90D battle with the 2018 Ford Mustang GT in the video below.

https://youtu.be/cxSfV5JpVfo

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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