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Porsche Taycan takes on the Moose Test and bows down to Tesla Model 3’s record
The Porsche Taycan is arguably one of the best-handling vehicles today, electric or otherwise. The vehicle is the German automaker’s flagship all-electric car, embodying the experience gathered and refined by Porsche through its decades of experience in vehicle production and design. The Taycan is a stellar vehicle, the Taycan Turbo S even more so. But if the car’s Moose Test results are any indication, it appears that the Taycan doesn’t quite match up to the record set by the Tesla Model 3 last year.
The Moose Test simulates what happens to a vehicle when it swerves sharply to avoid an unexpected obstacle in the middle of the road. The test is performed on a dry surface with traffic cones set up in an S-shape to simulate an obstacle (like a moose). To pass the test, vehicles must be able to quickly swerve and avoid the obstacle without hitting any of the cones on the road. Needless to say, only the best-handling cars on the market are able to ace the Moose Test.
For all intents and purposes, the Taycan is a vehicle that handles very well, especially for its weight. Expectations were high that the Taycan would ace the Moose Test, especially since the vehicle is from an automaker with a reputation for making the best-handling high-performance cars in the market. For its test, km77.com opted to utilize the top-tier variant of the Taycan, the Turbo S, to see just how well the best Porsche all-electric car can handle the test.
A look at the video of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S’ Moose Test results show that the vehicle performed pretty well for a car its weight and size. It took numerous failed attempts and two different test drivers, but the Taycan Turbo S was able to pass the Moose Test until the top speed of 78km/h (48mph) with the vehicle’s Sport Plus Mode engaged. That’s a pretty fair result, but it does fall 5 km/h short compared to the results of a far more humble opponent: the Tesla Model 3.
Last year, the auto publication took the Model 3 through the Moose Test. The Model 3 performed so well that the all-electric car actually set a new record for vehicles that the publication has tested, acing the test until a record entrance speed record of 83 km/h (51.5 mph). The km77.com team’s test drivers noted that part of its stellar results were due to the Model 3’s regenerative braking system, which allowed for easy control during the test’s swerving maneuvers. Tesla’s floor-mounted battery pack also contributed to the Model 3’s record scores.
That being said, it should be noted that the Taycan is still a car that handles very well. But considering that the Model 3 Performance, the most expensive variant of Tesla’s reasonably-priced sedan, is only about a third of the price of the Taycan Turbo S, it becomes very difficult to argue against the value-for-money presented by the Model 3.
Check out the Porsche Taycan Turbo S’ Moose Test results in the video below.
News
Tesla begins Grok AI chatbot rollout to Australia and New Zealand fleet
The update follows earlier deployments in the United States and Europe.
Tesla has rolled out its Grok AI assistant to Australia and New Zealand, embedding the conversational chatbot directly into compatible vehicles via an over-the-air update.
The system, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, is now live on select models, giving drivers access to a voice-based assistant that goes well beyond traditional command-driven controls.
The update follows earlier deployments in the United States and Europe.
Tesla Australia confirmed Grok is available on Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles equipped with an AMD processor and running software version 2025.26 or later.
“Grok is coming to Teslas in Australia and New Zealand. It can answer almost any question using real-time information & also add/edit navigation destinations to become your personal guide. Phased rollout has now begun to eligible vehicles,” Tesla Australia and New Zealand wrote in a post on its official X account.
Drivers can activate Grok using the steering wheel controls once the update is installed. Access requires either a Premium Connectivity subscription or a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Unlike conventional in-car voice assistants that rely on fixed prompts, Grok is designed to respond conversationally. It can adjust navigation mid-trip, locate nearby points of interest, explain dashboard warnings, provide driving guidance and reference the owner’s manual.
Tesla noted that interactions with Grok are processed by xAI and remain anonymous to Tesla, adding that conversations are not linked to a specific driver or vehicle.
Grok has attracted attention overseas for offering multiple interaction modes. In the U.S., users can select personalities such as Assistant, Language Tutor, Therapist, Storyteller and Meditation. Additional optional modes for adult users include settings labeled Unhinged, Motivation, Argumentative, Romantic and even Sexy.
Viral clips shared online have shown Grok adopting sarcastic or playful tones that differ from more neutral digital assistants, with the AI assistant typically catching drivers off-guard with its sharp personality and wit.
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Ford is charging for a basic EV feature on the Mustang Mach-E
When ordering a new Ford Mustang Mach-E, you’ll now be hit with an additional fee for one basic EV feature: the frunk.
Ford is charging an additional fee for a basic EV feature on its Mustang Mach-E, its most popular electric vehicle offering.
Ford has shuttered its initial Model e program, but is venturing into a more controlled and refined effort, and it is abandoning the F-150 Lightning in favor of a new pickup that is currently under design, but appears to have some favorable features.
However, ordering a new Mustang Mach-E now comes with an additional fee for one basic EV feature: the frunk.
The frunk is the front trunk, and due to the lack of a large engine in the front of an electric vehicle, OEMs are able to offer additional storage space under the hood. There’s one problem, though, and that is that companies appear to be recognizing that they can remove it for free while offering the function for a fee.
Ford is now charging $495 on the Mustang Mach-E frunk (front trunk). What are your thoughts on that? pic.twitter.com/EOzZe3z9ZQ
— Alan of TesCalendar 📆⚡️ (@TesCalendar1) February 24, 2026
Ford is charging $495 for the frunk.
Interestingly, the frunk size varies by vehicle, but the Mustang Mach-E features a 4.7 to 4.8 cubic-foot-sized frunk, which measures approximately 9 inches deep, 26 inches wide, and 14 inches high.
When the vehicle was first released, Ford marketed the frunk as the ultimate tailgating feature, showing it off as a perfect place to store and serve cold shrimp cocktail.
Ford Mach-E frunk is perfect for chowders and chicken wings, and we’re not even joking
It appears the decision to charge for what is a simple advantage of an EV is not going over well, as even Ford loyal customers say the frunk is a “basic expectation” of an EV. Without it, it seems as if fans feel the company is nickel-and-diming its customers.
It will be pretty interesting to see the Mach-E without a frunk, and while it should not be enough to turn people away from potentially buying the vehicle, it seems the decision to add an additional charge to include one will definitely annoy some customers.
News
Tesla to improve one of its best features, coding shows
According to the update, Tesla will work on improving the headlights when coming into contact with highly reflective objects, including road signs, traffic signs, and street lights. Additionally, pixel-level dimming will happen in two stages, whereas it currently performs with just one, meaning on or off.
Tesla is looking to upgrade its Matrix Headlights, a unique and high-tech feature that is available on several of its vehicles. The headlights aim to maximize visibility for Tesla drivers while being considerate of oncoming traffic.
The Matrix Headlights Tesla offers utilize dimming of individual light pixels to ensure that visibility stays high for those behind the wheel, while also being considerate of other cars by decreasing the brightness in areas where other cars are traveling.
Here’s what they look like in action:
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- Credit: u/ObjectiveScratch | Reddit
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- Credit: u/ObjectiveScratch | Reddit
As you can see, the Matrix headlight system intentionally dims the area where oncoming cars would be impacted by high beams. This keeps visibility at a maximum for everyone on the road, including those who could be hit with bright lights in their eyes.
There are still a handful of complaints from owners, however, but Tesla appears to be looking to resolve these with the coming updates in a Software Version that is currently labeled 2026.2.xxx. The coding was spotted by X user BERKANT:
🚨 Tesla is quietly upgrading Matrix headlights.
Software https://t.co/pXEklQiXSq reveals a hidden feature:
matrix_two_stage_reflection_dip
This is a major step beyond current adaptive high beams.
What it means:
• The car detects highly reflective objects
Road signs,… pic.twitter.com/m5UpQJFA2n— BERKANT (@Tesla_NL_TR) February 24, 2026
According to the update, Tesla will work on improving the headlights when coming into contact with highly reflective objects, including road signs, traffic signs, and street lights. Additionally, pixel-level dimming will happen in two stages, whereas it currently performs with just one, meaning on or off.
Finally, the new system will prevent the high beams from glaring back at the driver. The system is made to dim when it recognizes oncoming cars, but not necessarily objects that could produce glaring issues back at the driver.
Tesla’s revolutionary Matrix headlights are coming to the U.S.
This upgrade is software-focused, so there will not need to be any physical changes or upgrades made to Tesla vehicles that utilize the Matrix headlights currently.
Tesla begins Grok AI chatbot rollout to Australia and New Zealand fleet
Ford is charging for a basic EV feature on the Mustang Mach-E
