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Tesla Model 3 gets the LEGO fan treatment, complete with Sentry Mode

Model 3 design for LEGO Speed Championships, posted to LEGO Ideas. | Image: u/pfunkadunk (Reddit)

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A Tesla Model 3 owner and enthusiast has taken up the cause of bringing the all-electric car maker’s latest vehicle to the LEGO Speed Champions playset series, specifically to represent a “nod to the world’s transition to sustainable energy and green energy innovation”. With enough community support, a brick version of the popular Model 3 could be available to purchase from stores in the future.

In a submission to the toy company’s LEGO Ideas fan community site, Reddit user pfunkadunk designed a very detailed black version of the midsize sedan, including the glass (clear) roof and touchscreen panels with swappable screens to represent features like Romance Mode and the now-removed TeslAtari game Pole Position. Updates to the LEGO Model 3 have been ongoing since its creation a few months ago, and the most recent version pays tribute to some popular Tesla exclusives: Sentry Mode and #frunkpuppy.

Great care was taken to present the LEGO Model 3 in a fashion as similar to a real gallery-floor-worthy Tesla as possible. Several close up shots were taken of the front, back, sides, and undercarriage of the toy car, and some “action” shots of a LEGO character using a brick-built Tesla Supercharger with the Model 3’s charging port were included. In one setup, a LEGO couple is even seen enjoying Romance Mode, the Tesla Easter Egg featuring a fireplace video with a corresponding music selection.

Along with detailed photos and video, the Model 3 set includes its own Supercharger, although we’re not sure whether it’s Version 3, boasting a 250 kW power output for charging at speeds of up to 1000 miles per hour. The hinged and operable frunk can also accommodate a LEGO canine, meaning the #frunkpuppy trend can now include residents from the brick-ish side of life. Perhaps future updates will include Tesla’s flush door handles, Power Sports Aero Wheels, and some enhancing decals.

LEGO’s Speed Champions series currently features classic and modern muscle cars, but only the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro, a diesel-electric hybrid, and Porsche’s 919 Hybrid represent the lower emissions category of vehicles – for now. The Model 3 LEGO designer has set out to change that lineup to include an all-electric option, and given the performance stats and Track Mode features offered by the Tesla vehicle, its inclusion in the Speed Champions series is perhaps warranted. A website was put together to highlight the LEGO design project and further make the case for being part of the series.

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The Model 3 LEGO design does contain some significant overall design differences from the actual car such as the steering wheel being centered. When compared to other cars in the Speed Champions series, though, it’s clear that the designer made the brick Model 3 in keeping with the design feel of the series overall. In comparison, the diecast collector cars offered in Tesla’s online shop are meticulously designed to replicate each one of its vehicles, but at $250 they may be cost prohibitive for a kid-oriented target audience. LEGO Speed Champions sets go for between $25 and $75 depending on the item.

If a LEGO designer obtains 10,000 supporters for their submission, the company will make it into an official toy for sale after a review.

Accidental computer geek, fascinated by most history and the multiplanetary future on its way. Quite keen on the democratization of space. | It's pronounced day-sha, but I answer to almost any variation thereof.

Lifestyle

Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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