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Tesla rolls out ‘Gemini’ wheels and winter tire package for Model 3 Performance

(Credit: Tesla China)

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Tesla has decided to release its previously-exclusive China series Model 3 Performance wheels, dubbed by the electric car maker as “Power Sports Aero Wheels,” in the West. Rebranded as “Gemini” wheels for the US market, the 19″ wheels with their two-toned aeros covers are now offered for Model 3 Performance units in the United States. 

Quite interestingly, Tesla’s Gemini wheels are part of a winter tire package for the Model 3 Performance. This makes them somewhat different compared to China’s Power Sports Aero Wheels, which are paired with non-winter tires. Tesla’s description of the Gemini wheels mentions this. 

(Credit: Tesla)

“This winter, drive your Performance Model 3 with confidence by adding the 19″ Gemini Wheel and Winter Tire Package. The uniquely designed Gemini wheels provide a sporty look, while 19″ Pirelli winter tires deliver a smooth winter ride with maximum safety, traction, stability and braking efficiency in temperatures under 45° F,” Tesla wrote. 

Similar to Tesla’s other wheel and tire packages the Gemini set includes 4 19X8.5J Gemini wheels, 4 235/40/19 – PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO™ tires, 4 tire pressure sensors, and 4 Tesla logo Gemini caps. The item, which could be accessed here, is listed on Tesla’s Shop for $3,500, similar to the Model 3’s 19″ Sport Wheel and Summer Tire Package. 

Also of note is Tesla’s reminder on the Gemini Wheels’ product page. According to the electric car maker, the Geminis are only compatible with Model 3 Performance units that have been configured with 20″ Performance Wheels. This is a rather interesting statement, considering that owner-enthusiasts such as Erik Strait of YouTube’s DAErik channel have installed China-released Power Sports Aero Wheels on their non-Model 3 Performance cars. 

In Strait’s case, he was able to acquire a set of pre-owned Power Sports Aero Wheels from a China-based Model 3 owner during a recent trip to the country. Shipping the wheels to the United States, Strait was able to fit the Power Sports Aeros on his Standard Range Plus Model 3 without any issues. This was mentioned by the owner-enthusiast in a recent tweet, noting that the imported wheels he bought from China have been working perfectly since they were installed. 

That being said, the release of the Gemini Wheels in the United States bodes well for the aggressive-looking aero wheel configuration. The wheels’ availability in the shop suggests that it would be offered as an option in the near future as well. This is particularly notable considering that a Model Y release candidate recently spotted in the wild was also found to be equipped with the company’s Power Sports Aero Wheels/Gemini Wheels while it was being tested on public roads.

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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 Cybercab sightings broaden well outside of Austin with autonomy in focus

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Credit: Tesla Robotaxi | X

Tesla Cybercab sightings are broadening far and wide, well outside of downtown Austin, Texas, with autonomy in focus as the company plans to launch the all-electric, two-seater this evening in the Lone Star State.

Tesla is set to launch Cybercab to a small group of people this evening in a dedicated event in Austin, Texas. Public details on the event are relatively slim.

However, Tesla’s focus on Cybercab falls well outside of the downtown Austin area and is expanding well across the United States as things continue to move quickly with the company’s autonomous efforts in 2026. Today, various images of Cybercab fleets in interesting locations have started to circulate.

The most notable is a fleet of at least 20 Cybercabs at Miami International Airport in Florida. Spotted last night, the fleet is expansive and is indicative of a looming release of Cybercabs once regulatory boxes are checked off.

Tesla has already been operating the Robotaxi platform in Miami for several months, but this Cybercab fleet at the airport could be joining the ride-hailing platform as approvals arrive:

Another fleet of Cybercabs was spotted at the Devon, PA showroom just outside of Philadelphia. We have seen several Cybercab units testing around the Philadelphia Metro Area, which is interesting considering Tesla does not have any active Robotaxi geofence in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia would be an ideal location to test ride-hailing due to its dense tourist population, large, sprawling city layout, and to compete with other ride-hailing companies that operate in the city.

Expansive fleets of Cybercabs will be popping up in and around major cities throughout the rest of the year, if we were betting on it. Tesla has made it obvious that the Cybercab rollout will be aggressive and fast-paced, but within reason. Tesla is still prioritizing safety, so these testing phases will likely go on for some period of time before more members of the public are able to snag a Cybercab for a personal chariot.

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Tesla Model Y L gets suspension complaints in over odd issue China

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Credit: @TeslaNewswire/X

The Tesla Model Y L is arguably the most hyped trim of the all-electric crossover, other than the Performance configuration that comes with white-knuckle speed and sports car-level handling.

However, it is not all perfect. Tesla owners in China who took delivery of the Model Y L, denoted with an L to highlight its longer wheelbase, are experiencing what they are referring to as “collapsing” of the rear wheels, as suspension issues appear to be an issue with some of the builds.

The gap between the wheel arch and tire has narrowed to the point that “not even a single finger” could fit, according to a report from Car News China. The failures are not tied to a specific mileage, as one owner said that after just 9,000 kilometers (5,600 miles), they noticed the suspension issue when their car was fully loaded.

Another one had the issue at 30,000 kilometers (18,640 miles) and noticed that the wheel gap shrank to two fingers, so not as drastic as the person who reported a similar issue at 9,000 km.

Tesla Model Y L is gaining momentum in China’s premium segment

Along with the visual recognition of the issue, others are saying the sagging is causing abnormal wear on the inside of the tires. Extra weight and instant torque already provide additional stress on the tires in electric vehicles during normal operation, so it is no surprise that this is another complaint.

There has been no recall issued by Tesla, and the company has not yet publicly acknowledged the issue.

Some are suggesting that owners use a “finger test” to self-diagnose whether there is an issue with the suspension. There should be four fingers between the tire and the wheel well; anything less than that starts to get dicey.

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Tesla Cybercab event gains steam ahead of massive launch

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Credit: TechOperator | X

Tesla is starting to truly tease and hype its groundbreaking Cybercab event, which takes place tomorrow in Austin, Texas. It will be the first time members of the public will be able to ride in a Cybercab, a vehicle without any manual controls, on public roads.

Tesla has been dropping some hype on X over the past several days, but this morning, the excitement has truly started to build up for the event. Although Cybercab has been unveiled before, this is truly Tesla’s announcement that it is ready to start offering autonomous rides for public passengers in its new ride-hailing-geared vehicle for the first time.

The hype has started with a variety of different social media posts that are a true indication that Tesla is preparing for something big. Teasing so much of the potential of Cybercab, including its ability to truly revolutionize how people hail rides for local travel, is what the big idea for the event entails. The time that many Tesla owners, fans, and investors have been waiting for is potentially here:

The event has remained slim on details. Even invitees are still awaiting true details about what the event will entail, where they’ll go, and what is in store for the evening. This is pretty typical for an event run by Tesla; they keep things under wraps for the most part until the very last minute.

However, there is no secret about what the real intention of Tesla is for this event: it is going to be a huge reveal party for a vehicle that has no steering wheel and no pedals. It is a truly massive step for the company moving forward.

Speculation persists as to whether this is going to be an event that simply announces that rides will begin with the Cybercab, or it will be something more substantial. Tesla has said in the past that they plan to sell the Cybercab to the general public in what could become a great way to earn passive income by adding it to a more global fleet of Robotaxi-geared vehicles.

Tomorrow, the show begins in Austin, and the Cybercab goes live at some capacity; we just don’t know exactly how quite yet.

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