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Porsche shares production Taycan teaser, hints at ‘Netflix-type’ streaming feature

(Credit: Porsche)

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With the Taycan’s formal unveiling just a day away, Porsche has released a series of images that feature, for the first time, a non-camouflaged, production version of the upcoming all-electric sports car. While the vehicle’s full look still remains a mystery, several aspects of the car, such as its silhouette and its headlights, hint that the Taycan will likely be very similar to the concept car that inspired it: the Mission E sedan. 

In a post on its website, Porsche France stated that the Taycan’s photo session was conducted with care, particularly as full images of the vehicle must be kept secret before its official unveiling tomorrow. Pictures are also examined, evaluated, and if necessary, readjusted on the set.  

The Porsche Taycan’s production version as teased in a recent photoshoot. (Credit: Porsche)

To state that the Taycan will be Porsche’s most important vehicle in decades will not be an exaggeration. Being a car that is designed to blaze a trail for the company as it enters the electric era, the Taycan has to appeal both to new owners and Porsche’s longtime customers alike. Maintaining this delicate balance is no small feat, as the Taycan would need to be bleeding edge in terms of tech, but still familiar enough that longtime Porsche fans will feel right at home when they step inside the vehicle. 

This could be seen in the way the Taycan’s dashboard is laid out. Porsche opted for a more touch-enabled interface for the Taycan, with the vehicle being equipped with as many as five screens. Yet, looking at the Taycan’s futuristic dash, it is difficult to not notice that the entire section of the all-electric car is inspired by the legendary 911, from its rounded gauges to the position of its steering wheel. 

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The Porsche Taycan’s production version as teased in a recent photoshoot. (Credit: Porsche)

Considering that the Taycan is equipped with several displays, the company notes that the vehicle will be loaded to the teeth with multimedia capabilities. Oliver Fritz, Porsche’s director of driver experience, noted in a statement to Automotive News that the vehicle’s cockpit creates opportunities for extensive multimedia use. According to Fritz, one such application would be the addition of “Netflix-type video streaming” features for the Taycan. “We are working on the video use case, but we want to make it safe,” Fritz said.

The Porsche exec added that the company actually thought of putting a web browser on the Taycan, similar to Tesla’s electric cars. The feature was eventually abandoned, as the company figured that the best way for passengers to browse the web would be through their mobile devices. “Other OEMs offer web browsers with a lot of security on the back end. We don’t think that’s actually the way we want to go. If someone really wants to browse web pages, doing it on the smartphone probably is a better way,” he added. 

The production version of the Porsche Taycan is set to be formally unveiled in three countries tomorrow; one in Canada, one in Germany, and another in China. The event will begin on September 4, 2019 at 9 a.m. EST. 

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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 Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture

“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”

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tesla-supercharger-diner
Credit: Tesla

Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.

A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.

Greenspan confirmed to the paper:

“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”

Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.

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Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner

The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.

However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.

It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.

We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.

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Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.

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Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program

“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”

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Credit: Grok

Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.

Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.

As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.

First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more

With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.

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Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.

The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):

“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”

The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.

This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.

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The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.

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Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025

Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.

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Credit: Grok Imagine

It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country. 

Tesla China’s order page update

A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks. 

As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price. 

Tesla China’s upcoming big updates

What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.

As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.

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