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New Tesla Model Y first impressions after demo drive

Credit: @nabean42/X

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A Tesla Cybertruck owner from Austin, Texas recently shared a number of insights following a demo drive of the new Model Y.

Tesla recently started offering demo drives of the revamped all-electric crossover. Based on posters that have been shared on social media media, it appears that test drives of the new Model Y were offered in Austin and Dallas, Texas.

New Model Y general observations:

  • Tesla Cybertruck owner @VoyageATXBen shared some of his impressions of the new Model Y on social media platform X.
  • As per the Tesla owner, the new Model Y’s suspension was incredible as the vehicle felt extremely solid when going over bumps or imperfections on the road.
  • Regen reportedly felt quite stronger than the Model Y classic, and the brake pedal itself felt much more firm.
  • Ride quality-wise, the new Model Y reportedly felt very similar to the reengineered Tesla Model 3, which received widespread acclaim for its upgraded suspension system.

New Model Y cabin:

  • The Cybertruck owner praised the new Model Y’s cabin, which he noted was so quiet, it felt like he was wearing noise-cancelling headphones.
  • The materials on the cabin and seats are reportedly a step up from the Model Y classic.
  • The buttons on the new Model Y’s steering wheel reportedly felt like physical buttons as well.
  • That being said, the Tesla owner noted that the single turn stalk felt almost cheap, perhaps because it was extremely light.
  • The Tesla owner also observed that rear visibility has not improved from the Model Y classic since the revamped vehicle still has a slim rear windshield.

Interesting features:

  • The Cybertruck owner also shared a number of interesting observations of the new Model Y’s features during his test drive. 
  • For one, the demo unit that Tesla was offering for test drives had adaptive headlights enabled.
  • The new Model Y’s air conditioning system also had a swing mode that vents air left and right, which was pretty neat.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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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Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s xAI plants flag in Bellevue AI hotspot

The lease places xAI’s new office in one of the region’s fastest-growing tech hubs.

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UK Government, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI has leased a full floor at Lincoln Square South in downtown Bellevue, WA, as per city permit filings. 

The lease places xAI’s new office in one of the region’s fastest-growing tech hubs.

Public records indicate that xAI leased roughly 24,800 square feet in Lincoln Square South. The location was previously occupied by video game company Epic Games. Lincoln Square South is part of the Bellevue Collection, which is owned by Kemper Development Co.

The lease was first referenced in January by commercial real estate firm Broderick Group, which noted that an unnamed tenant had secured the space, as stated in a report from the Puget Sound Business Journal. Later filings identified xAI as the occupant for the space.

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xAI has not publicly commented on the lease.

xAI hinted at plans to open an office in the Seattle area back in September, when the startup posted job openings with salaries ranging from $180,000 to $440,000. At the time, the company had narrowed its location search to cities on the Eastside but had not finalized a lease.

xAI’s Bellevue expansion comes as Musk continues consolidating his businesses. Last week, SpaceX acquired xAI in a deal that valued the artificial intelligence startup at $250 billion. SpaceX itself is now valued at roughly $1.25 trillion and is expected to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) later this year.

Musk already has a significant presence in the region through SpaceX, which employs about 2,000 workers locally. That initiative, however, is focused largely on Starlink satellite development.

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Bellevue has increasingly become a center for artificial intelligence companies. OpenAI has expanded its local office footprint to nearly 300,000 square feet. Data infrastructure firms such as Crusoe and CoreWeave have also established offices downtown.

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Elon Musk

SpaceX blocks unauthorized Starlink terminals used by Russian troops

Ukrainian officials confirmed that Starlink terminals believed to be used by Russian troops were disabled after coordination with SpaceX.

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(Credit: Starlink/X)

SpaceX has taken steps to block unauthorized use of its Starlink satellite internet network, a move Ukrainian officials stated is already disrupting Russian military communications. 

Russian units lose a key communications tool

As per a report from The Guardian, Ukrainian defense officials have confirmed that Starlink terminals believed to be used by Russian troops were recently disabled after coordination with SpaceX. The move reportedly affected frontline communications and drone operations, especially in areas where traditional military radios are unreliable or easily jammed.

For months, Russian units had relied on large numbers of illicitly obtained Starlink terminals to stay connected along the front. The satellite internet service allowed faster coordination and more precise drone use for Russian forces.

Several Russian military bloggers close to frontline units have acknowledged the impact of the Starlink shutdown, with some describing sudden connectivity problems in the satellite internet service.

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Russia lacks comparable replacement

Russia does not have a satellite internet system that matches Starlink’s speed, coverage, and ease of deployment. Alternatives such as fiber-optic lines, short-range wireless links, and digital radio systems take longer to install and work inadequately for fast-moving units.

Russia does operate limited satellite communications through state-linked providers, but those systems rely mainly on geostationary satellites, which are notably slower. Coverage is uneven, and data capacity is far lower than Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit network.

For now, Ukraine has stated that it has introduced a verification system that allows only approved Starlink terminals to connect. Devices believed to be linked to Russian forces are blocked from the network. That being said, Ukrainian officials have also claimed Russian units are trying to work around the restrictions by asking civilians to register Starlink terminals in their names. 

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Tesla Semi pricing revealed after company uncovers trim levels

This is a step up from the prices that were revealed back in 2017, but with inflation and other factors, it is no surprise Tesla could not come through on the numbers it planned to offer nine years ago. When the Semi was unveiled in November 2017, Tesla had three pricing levels:

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla Semi pricing appears to have been revealed after the company started communicating with the entities interested in purchasing its all-electric truck. The pricing details come just days after Tesla revealed it planned to offer two trim levels and uncovered the specs of each.

After CEO Elon Musk said the Semi would enter volume production this year, Tesla revealed trim levels shortly thereafter. Offering a Standard Range and a Long Range trim will fit the needs of many companies that plan to use the truck for local and regional deliveries.

Tesla Semi lines up for $165M in California incentives ahead of mass production

It will also be a good competitor to the all-electric semi trucks already available from companies like Volvo.

With the release of specs, Tesla helped companies see the big picture in terms of what the Semi could do to benefit their business. However, pricing information was not available.

A new report from Electrek states that Tesla has been communicating with those interested companies and is pricing the Standard Range at $250,000 per unit, while the Long Range is priced at $290,000. These prices come before taxes and destination fees.

This is a step up from the prices that were revealed back in 2017, but with inflation and other factors, it is no surprise Tesla could not come through on the numbers it planned to offer nine years ago. When the Semi was unveiled in November 2017, Tesla had three pricing levels:

  • $150,000 for a 300-mile range version
  • $180,000 for a 500-mile range version
  • $200,000 for a limited “Founders Series” edition; full upfront payment required for priority production and limited to just 1,000 units

Tesla has not officially released any specific information regarding pricing on the Semi, but it is not surprising that it has not done so. The Semi is a vehicle that will be built for businesses, and pricing information is usually reserved for those who place reservations. This goes for most products of this nature.

The Semi will be built at a new, dedicated production facility in Sparks, Nevada, which Tesla broke ground on in 2024. The factory was nearly complete in late 2025, and executives confirmed that the first “online builds” were targeted for that same time.

Meaningful output is scheduled for this year, as Musk reiterated earlier this week that it would enter mass production this year. At full capacity, the factory will build 50,000 units annually.

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