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Tesla interiors get bespoke luxury treatment with von Holzhausen x Unplugged Performance collaboration

Credit: Unplugged Performance

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If there is a legitimate criticism of Tesla’s premium electric cars, it is the fact that their interiors, while extremely comfortable and made from sustainable materials, are not necessarily on the same level as those offered by luxury automakers. Compared to the interiors of cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQS or the Porsche Taycan, for example, the quality of the Model S’ interior could feel a notch or two lower. 

That is, at least, until now. 

Materials innovation company von Holzhausen, which is owned by materials innovator Vicki von Holzhausen, recently teased an ambitious new project. While the company has made itself busy over the past years producing luxury products such as handbags, backpacks, wallets, and belts from sustainable materials, von Holzhausen hinted that it is working on offering what seemed to be bespoke Tesla interiors. 

Credit: Unplugged Performance

This has now been confirmed. As noted in a press release from longtime Tesla tuner and aftermarket parts maker Unplugged Performance, it is collaborating with von Holzhausen to create bespoke luxury Tesla interiors using Banbū Leather, a type of vegan leather that is “buttery-soft like lambskin, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, water-resistant, lightweight,” and made from bamboo. 

Credit: Unplugged Performance

With the collaboration between von Holzhausen and Unplugged Performance in place, Tesla owners could now have their vehicles’ interiors made to their individual preferences. Everything, from the color of the leather to stitch detail preferences, stitch thread color options, and perforations, could be customized. In a way, the collaboration between the Tesla Chief Designer’s materials company and the veteran EV tuner is quite a bit like Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur program, which allows owners to customize practically everything about their vehicles. 

Credit: Unplugged Performance

Bespoke Tesla interiors require a lot of work, and thus, owners who wish to get their vehicles done by von Holzhausen and Unplugged Performance should be prepared to pay a premium. Bespoke, handmade von Holzhausen interiors are priced at $29,995 all-in, while custom interiors using von Holzhausen, Alcantara, and other premium vegan materials extended across the entire vehicle begin at $39,995. Special requests from customers are also accommodated. 

Credit: Unplugged Performance

So far, build slots are open in winter 2022 for North America. Interested customers have the option of purchasing a new car from Tesla and having it delivered to them already with a bespoke von Holzhausen x Unplugged Performance interior. Drivers who already own a Tesla may also have their existing vehicles upgraded. Interested owners are required to pay a fully-refundable $500 deposit to secure a reservation and begin consultation for their unique handmade Tesla interior. 

Bespoke von Holzhausen x Unplugged Performance interior packages are currently available for the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Customized interiors are also coming to upcoming vehicles like the next-generation Tesla Roadster and the Cybertruck. 

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Those who wish to check out von Holzhausen and Unplugged Performance’s bespoke Tesla interiors can click here

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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SpaceX is launching a secret spacecraft that could change how things are made in space

SpaceX’s secret disk-shaped Starfall capsule is targeting a market no reentry vehicle has cracked.

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SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, June 23 for the first flight of Starfall, a reentry capsule the company has developed almost entirely in private. The Falcon 9 launch window opens at 6:43 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with a backup window available the same time on June 24. SpaceX has made no public announcement about the vehicle, only providing launch details. Everything known about it has come through FAA and FCC regulatory filings.

What makes Starfall different starts with its shape. Rather than the traditional cone used by Dragon and every other cargo return capsule in operation, Starfall is a flat disk that measures roughly  10.2 feet (3.1 meters) wide and just 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) tall, and weighing 4,630 pounds (2,100 kg) and capable of returning up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of payload from orbit. The disk geometry maximizes structural efficiency and payload volume relative to mass, and the heat shield mechanically jettisons just before splashdown, allowing recovery teams to retrieve both the capsule and the shield separately from the Pacific Ocean.

The difference with Starfall from existing competitors, such as Varda Space Industries, which has largely built the orbital manufacturing market and returns heavy payloads per flight is that Starfall’s specification is roughly 30 times more per mission, and is designed to be mass-produced and launched on either Falcon 9 or Starship. That combination of volume and launch access is something no standalone startup can replicate, and it puts SpaceX in direct competition with the companies that currently pay it to reach orbit.

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The intended market is orbital manufacturing: pharmaceuticals, protein crystals, semiconductors, and advanced optical fiber that physically cannot be produced in the presence of gravity. FAA documents describe Starfall’s long-term purpose as building a “self-sustaining commercial in-space manufacturing market” and as a potential successor to the industrial capabilities of the International Space Station, which is set to retire in the late 2020s. Military rapid global cargo delivery is a parallel application under active discussion with the Pentagon.

The reason some industries seek manufacturing in space comes down to gravity. On Earth, gravity causes materials to settle, separate, and deform during production. In microgravity, those constraints disappear.

SpaceX’s already controls launch access, which means it currently functions as the landlord for every competitor in the orbital manufacturing return space. Starfall converts that landlord position into vertical ownership, and it would no longer just carry other companies’ capsules to orbit, but rather operate the capsule, own the return logistics, and capture the service revenue directly. Viewed alongside Starlink, Colossus, and the xAI merger, Starfall fits a consistent pattern: SpaceX identifying infrastructure layers that others depend on and moving to own them outright. Orbital manufacturing return is the next layer on that list.

If Tuesday’s reentry, parachute sequence, and recovery demonstration goes as planned, the second FAA-approved test flight follows. A successful pair of demos would position SpaceX to begin offering Starfall as a commercial service, likely first to pharmaceutical and materials science customers before scaling toward the military and broader manufacturing segments.

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Tesla Semi spotted with ground truth validation equipment as launch looms

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Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Semi was spotted mounted with ground truth validation equipment as the company nears its looming launch. The Semi is Tesla’s Class 8 all-electric truck, and has been utilized in its earlier stages by many companies like PepsiCo. and Frito-Lay, who have been using it in a pilot program.

The Semi was spotted in Sunnyvale, California, and sports a typical ground truth validation unit that Tesla routinely uses on its vehicles. Ground truth validation is essentially the process of training supervised algorithms to ensure they can perform reliably. Tesla typically performs this on vehicles that are being released soon:

The Semi being spotted with this type of validation rig is important because it means the company is working on solidifying a Full Self-Driving model for its commercial vehicle offering. This would be a massive development for not only Tesla but also the logistics industry as a whole.

There are strict regulations on driving hours for commercial truck drivers, and autonomy is a way to potentially combat these issues. FSD is already a widely effective way that owners of typical passenger vehicles take stress out of travel. Even launching a semi-autonomous platform for truck drivers to use to increase safety, reduce fatigue, and increase productivity would be a huge development.

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The Semi has already proven to be an ideal solution for companies that use commercial logistics. It has increased efficiency and reduced operating costs for many companies that have been able to use it in pilot programs.

There are expected to be some bumps along the way. Tesla saw some challenges with FSD on the Cybertruck, as it had never had a vehicle with cameras at that height, so some of the features with FSD were not immediately available. Just a week ago, Tesla launched Actually Smart Summon (ASS) for Cybertruck, nearly three years after the vehicle was first delivered to customers.

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Elon Musk

President Trump touts new Air Force One with Musk technology

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Credit: Air Force

President Donald Trump unveiled an upgraded Boeing 747-8 at Joint Base Andrews on June 19, 2026, describing the Qatar-gifted aircraft as an interim Air Force One equipped with advanced communications systems, including Starlink, Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet service.

The plane, valued at around $400 million and modified for presidential use, serves as a bridge until the delayed VC-25B replacements arrive. Trump highlighted its luxury features and new technology during remarks to service members.

Trump stated:

“We have communication equipment up there that nobody’s ever seen before. It’s the highest level and, uh, including Starlink. My friend Elon is going to be very happy, but, uh, Starlink and we have, uh, four or five different sets of double and triple communications like people haven’t seen.”

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He added:

“And it represents what can happen with hard work, innovation, and aggressive timelines because we did this quickly and yet there’s never been communication like is on this plane.”

The aircraft features a redesigned red, white, and blue livery and has been outfitted with Starlink satellite connectivity alongside other secure systems.

Trump praised the plane’s uniqueness, calling it among the world’s most luxurious. The gift from Qatar and subsequent modifications have drawn attention, with the jet positioned as a solution for presidential travel. It is expected to support operations, including potential ceremonial roles such as Fourth of July flyovers.

The event marked the formal introduction of the converted jet, which will help maintain capabilities while the primary Air Force One fleet undergoes modernization. Defense observers note the inclusion of commercial satellite technology like Starlink as part of efforts to ensure resilient communications, crucial to keep the country running as the President is in the sky.

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President Trump’s comments underscored appreciation for rapid upgrades and innovation in equipping the aircraft. The plane remains a U.S. government asset and is slated for eventual transfer related to presidential library purposes after its service.

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