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Tesla Model 3 with dual motor AWD spotted in San Francisco

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A Tesla Model 3 with a VIN number referencing an AWD dual-motor variant was recently photographed in the wild. The Model 3, which was designated with VIN 5YJ3E1EB3JF008370, was registered by Tesla on January 20, marking less than five weeks between the VIN registration and the public sighting of the car.

The find was shared by Ryan McCaffrey on Twitter, with the Ride the Lightning podcast host stating that he came across the vehicle in San Francisco, CA this past weekend. According to McCaffrey, the AWD Model 3 was painted red and equipped with 19-inch Sport Wheels.

Considering that VINs 8370-8388, all of which were AWD, were registered on January 20, there is a pretty good chance that sightings of more dual-motor Model 3s would happen within the coming weeks, or possibly even days.

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Tesla updated its Model 3 online configurator earlier this year, showing references to the mass market electric car’s dual motor configuration. During that time, the estimated time for deliveries for the all-wheel-drive variant of the Model 3 was set for Spring 2018. After the Q4 2017 earnings call this February, however, the estimated timeline for the delivery of dual-motor Model 3s was moved to Late 2018 for some reservation holders.

Considering that a vehicle with two electric motors is now in the wild, it seems like Tesla is definitely hitting its stride in the manufacture and rollout of the upcoming Model 3 variant. After all, if the dual-motor electric car that McCaffrey recently photographed is being used for testing by Tesla, there is a good chance that some Model 3 reservation holders who ordered the variant can see a delivery within Spring 2018.

While VIN registrations are not a foolproof way to ascertain how many Model 3s are on the road today, being able to decode the meaning of the long string of digits and letters is a good way to determine the configuration of Tesla’s vehicles. As we noted in a previous report, Tesla’s 17-character VINs can be decoded as follows.

  • Digits 1 – 3: World Manufacturing Identifier
    • 5YJ = Manufacturer: Tesla Inc.
  • Digit 4: Make/Line/Series
    • S = Tesla Model S
    • X = Tesla Model X
    • 3 = Tesla Model 3
  • Digit 5: Body Type and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
    • A – Hatchback 5Dr/LHD
    • C = Class E (6001-7000 lbs) GVWR/MPV/5 Dr/LHD
    • E= Sedan 4Dr/LHD
  • Digit 6: Restraint System
    • 1= Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
    • A = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3, TR*2) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
    • B = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*2, TR*2) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
    • D= Type 2 Manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags. PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
  • Digit 7: Fuel Type
    • E = Electric
  • Digit 8: Motor/Drive Unit
    • 1= Single Motor – Standard
    • 3= Single Motor – Performance
    • 2 = Dual Motor (Standard)
    • 4 = Dual Motor (Performance)
    • A= Single Motor – Standard
    • B= Dual Motor – Standard
  • Digit 9: Check Digit to be assigned by manufacturer pursuant to 49 CFR § 565.6(c)
  • Digit 10: Model Year
    • H = 2017
  • Digit 11: Plant of Manufacture
    • F = Fremont, CA
  • Digits 12-17: Unique serial number

With this in mind, McCaffrey’s find, which carried VIN 5YJ3E1EB3JF008370, means that the vehicle was equipped with a standard, non-performance dual-motor drivetrain.

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 hacker finds lifesaving FSD suggestions in 2025.32.3

The feature could drastically reduce instances of drivers operating their vehicles while distracted or exhausted.

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Credit: Tesla/X

A Tesla hacker has shared references to what could very well be lifesaving FSD suggestions in software update 2025.32.3. 

The feature could drastically reduce instances of drivers operating their vehicles while distracted or exhausted.

New FSD features

As per longtime Tesla hacker @greentheonly, the EV maker’s drowsiness and lane departure suggestions in 2025.32.3 reference FSD. The hacker shared two alerts that specifically suggest the use of FSD, such as “Lane drift detected. Let FSD assist so you can stay focused,” and “Drowsiness detected. Stay focused with FSD.”

The hacker noted that the updated messages in 2025.32.3 are quite interesting because Tesla still advises drivers to be fully alert when using FSD Supervised. Thus, it is quite interesting to see the company advising users to use FSD when they seem unfocused or tired. That being said, FSD is still a supervised solution for now, but the system itself is already very capable, so the company’s updated alerts are not surprising.

Steps to FSD Unsupervised

Such warning messages would definitely make more sense once Tesla actually rolls out FSD Unsupervised. The system seems to be just waiting for regulatory approval for now, considering that it is already being used in vehicles that are coming off the production line at the Fremont Factory and Giga Texas. Tesla is also now using a driverless system for its Robotaxi services in Austin, as well as its autonomous ride-hailing service in the Bay Area.

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For now, Tesla is hard at work preparing for the impending rollout of FSD V14, which Elon Musk has stated will be a notable improvement from the already-impressive performance of FSD V13. As per Musk, Teslas running FSD V14 will feel “sentient.” He also noted that the system “feels alive.”

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Elon Musk assures Tesla investors he will enhance his security detail

Musk’s comments were posted on X in the aftermath of the slaying of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

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MINISTÉRIO DAS COMUNICAÇÕES, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has assured TSLA investors that he would be enhancing his security detail. 

Musk’s comments were posted on X in the aftermath of the slaying of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Aggressive critics

Kirk was slain during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA’s first event on a tour of college campuses, as noted in a Politico report. Kirk was a notable voice in the conservative movement and a close ally of the Trump administration, which led to aggressive critics openly wishing him harm. 

Elon Musk, due to his contributions to the Trump campaign and his later work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also attracted a substantial amount of vitriol from critics. Tesla owners and the company itself suffered attacks due to critics’ anger towards Musk, with several stores and cars being vandalized or victimized in arson attacks.

Despite having stepped back from his work with DOGE, Musk remains a target among critics online, with some still calling for the CEO to get the “Luigi Mangione” treatment. These sentiments were notable after Kirk’s slaying, with some users on platforms such as Reddit and Bluesky arguing that Musk or Donald Trump should be next after Kirk. 

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Concerns and assurances

In the aftermath of Kirk’s slaying, numerous Tesla retail investors called on the company’s Board of Directors to bolster Elon Musk’s security detail. With some social media users openly calling for Musk to be slain next, such a request made sense. This was highlighted by Tesla investor Alexandra Merz, who called on the Tesla Board to drastically increase the company’s budget for Elon Musk’s security, which currently stands at just $3.3 million annually, or about $235,000 per month.

In response to the Tesla investor’s comments, Musk responded that he would “definitely need to enhance security.” Musk’s response was well appreciated by the Tesla and electric vehicle community as a whole, with some users on X stating that the CEO must be kept safe.

Musk is a key part of Tesla, and this was highlighted in the company’s proposed 2025 CEO performance award, which outlines a path towards the company attaining a market cap of $8.5 trillion. In its filing, Tesla highlighted that Elon Musk’s leadership is a fundamental part of the company and its future. 

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This signature Tesla feature is facing a ban in one of its biggest markets

The report indicates that Chinese government agencies have concerns “about failure rates and safety issues with the flush design.”

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A signature Tesla feature is under fire in one of the company’s largest markets, as regulators in one EV hot spot are mulling the potential ban of a design the automaker implemented on some of its vehicles.

Tesla pioneered the pop-out door handle on its Model S back in 2012, and CEO Elon Musk felt the self-presenting design was a great way to feel like “you’re part of the future.”

It is something that is still present on current Model S designs, while other vehicles in the Tesla lineup have a variety of handle aesthetics.

How to repair your Tesla Model S Door handle (DIY Kit)

According to Chinese media outlet Mingjing Pro, the company, along with others using similar technology, is facing scrutiny on the design as regulators consider a ban on the mechanism. These restrictions would impact other companies that have utilized pop-out handles on their own designs; Tesla would not be the only company forced to make changes.

The report indicates that Chinese government agencies have concerns “about failure rates and safety issues with the flush design.”

However, EVs are designed to be as aerodynamically efficient as possible, which is the main reason for this design. It is also the reason that many EVs utilize wheel covers, and sleek and flowing shapes.

However, the Chinese government is not convinced, as they stated the aerodynamic improvements are “minimal,” and safety issues are “significantly elevated,” according to The Independent.

The issue also seems to be focused on how effective the handle design is. According to data, one EV manufacturer, which was not specified in the report, has 12 percent of its total repairs are door handle failure fixes.

There are also concerns about the handles short-circuiting, leaving passengers trapped within cars. Tesla has implemented emergency latch releases in its vehicles that would prevent passengers from getting stuck in their cars in cases of electric malfunctions or failures.

However, evidence from the Chinese Insurance Automotive Technology Research Institute (C-IASI) suggests that 33 percent of door handles using this design fail to function after a side impact.

Obviously, Tesla and other automakers could introduce an alternative design to those vehicles that are affected by the potential restrictions China intends to impose. The regulation would take effect in July 2027.

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