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Behind the scenes at Tesla’s private Model 3 event in Miami

Photo: Jorge Sierra

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I couldn’t believe it when I received a text from my wife: “Did you get the invitation for the Tesla (Model) 3 in Aventura mall?” My response: “?!?!?” Tesla sent her an email for an invitation-only event to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Aventura store in Miami, guest starring Model 3. Needless to say, I was extremely excited to check it out.

Above: Guests arriving at the Tesla Aventura grand re-opening (Photo: Jorge Sierra)

We arrived at 7 pm on the dot, but it seemed the party had already started without us — a few people had started entering the store. Outside, guests were checking in with Tesla staff confirming their reservations on tablets. Black curtains covered the store windows, and they literally rolled out the red carpet for us. Maybe I should have worn my tux.

The music was pumping with some Latin flair for the South Florida crowd. Of course, no red carpet event would be complete without a step-and-repeat backdrop and bright lights for photo ops. The backdrop was simply a big “3”. It was nice to get a small taste of Tesla’s West Coast events here on the East Coast, even if it wasn’t quite as grand.

Above: My wife and I posing for our red carpet photo (Photo: Jorge Sierra)

As we walked in, we were offered glasses of champagne and we gladly accepted. Attendees were presented with hors-d’oeuvres, and Tesla set up a couple of bars with sodas, cocktails, and wine. They did an excellent job of accommodating guests and making us all feel very welcome.

Inside the store, there was a red Model S on the right, a white Model X on the left, and center stage was the guest of honor, a midnight silver Model 3. It was my first time seeing Model 3 up close in-person, and it looked every bit as good as it did in the hundreds of photos I had seen prior online.

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Above: Model 3 at the Tesla Aventura grand re-opening (Photo: Jorge Sierra)

There were plenty of product specialists on-hand to answer questions, dressed in formal attire rather than their typical business casual Tesla-branded garb. One big question on my mind which I asked the Tesla staff: When is the Standard Range model coming to market? Unfortunately, as I expected, there was no definitive answer. However, there was an announcement that Brickell city supercharging was being inaugurated locally this week.

The line to sit in Model 3’s front seat was growing rather quickly, so we patiently waited with many others for our chance to sit behind the wheel. Our Model 3 has been in order since the day of the reveal and is to become my wife’s car. She had the privilege of sitting in the driver’s seat while I rode shotgun.

Above: Inside the Model 3 (Photo: Jorge Sierra)

As for as the car itself, I don’t really have much to say that hasn’t already been documented in countless articles and videos out there. However, if you must know, the roof lining was indeed textile, not Alcantara. And, no, I did not get the VIN. I was so excited to see the car I forgot to check!

As we departed for the evening, the Tesla team gave us a little keepsake as thanks for our support of Tesla and Model 3.

Above: Merch! (Photo: Jorge Sierra)

It’s great to see Model 3 making its way into showrooms on the east coast. This particular Model 3 will remain on display at the Aventura store. If you live in South Florida, stop on by and check it out! Unfortunately, it’ll likely be some time before they’re available for test drives. The product specialists haven’t been informed yet as to when, so as of now it’s anyone’s guess.

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Above: A look at the Tesla Aventura event invite and around 150 guests swarming the in-store Tesla display cars including the star of the show — a midnight silver Model 3 along with a pearl white Model X and multi-coat red Model S. The “3” logo was prominent inside the store. Early vehicle design sketches were also showcased on screens. (Photos: Jorge Sierra)

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Note: Article originally published on evannex.com, by Jorge Sierra. Jorge Sierra is a member of the Florida Tesla Owners club and has been a Tesla Model S owner since June 2014. Jorge loves driving electric and has been averaging about 30,000 emission-free miles per year since having first taken delivery. He’s also developed Radar Alerts for Tesla owners.

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Elon Musk

X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

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Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

A Near Fall

During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately. 

Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.

X User to the Rescue

It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.

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Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Not Planned, But Welcomed

The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump. 

“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Lifestyle

Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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