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.
![]() |
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.
Gallery
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
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)
===
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.
Lifestyle
Tesla Model S Plaid battles China’s 1500 hp monster Nurburgring monster, with surprising results
There is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.

The Tesla Model S Plaid has been around for some time. Today, it is no longer the world’s quickest four-door electric sedan, nor is it the most powerful. As per a recent video from motoring YouTube channel Carwow, however, it seems like the Model S Plaid is still more than a match for some of its newer and more powerful rivals.
The monster from China
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is nothing short of a monster. Just like the Model S Plaid, it features three motors. It also has 1,548 hp and 1,770 Nm of torque. It’s All Wheel Drive and weighs a hefty 2,360 kg. The vehicle, which costs just about the equivalent of £55,000, has been recorded setting an insane 7:04.957 at the Nurburgring, surpassing the previous record held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.
For all intents and purposes, the Model S Plaid looked outgunned in Carwow’s test. The Model S Plaid is no slouch with its three motors that produce 1,020 hp and 1,420 Nm of torque. It’s also a bit lighter at 2,190 kg despite its larger size. However, as the Carwow host pointed out, the Model S Plaid holds a 7:25.231 record in the Nurburgring. Compared to the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra’s record, the Model S Plaid’s lap time is notably slower.
Real-world tests
As could be seen in Carwow’s drag races, however, Tesla’s tech wizardry with the Model S Plaid is still hard to beat. The two vehicles competed in nine races, and the older Model S Plaid actually beat its newer, more powerful counterpart from China several times. At one point in the race, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra hit its power limit due to its battery’s temperature, but the Model S Plaid was still going strong.
The Model S Plaid was first teased five years ago, in September 2020 during Tesla’s Battery Day. Since then, cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire and the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra have been released, surpassing its specs. But just like the Model Y ended up being the better all-rounder compared to the BYD Sealion 7 and the MG IM6, there is just something about Tesla’s tuning and refinement that makes raw specs seem not as game-changing.
Check out Carwow’s Model S Plaid vs Xiaomi SU7 drag race video below.
Lifestyle
500-mile test proves why Tesla Model Y still humiliates rivals in Europe
On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y.

BYD is seeing a lot of momentum in Europe, so much so that mainstream media has taken every opportunity to argue that the Chinese automaker has beaten Tesla in the region. But while BYD sales this year in Europe are rising and Tesla’s registrations remain challenged, the raw capabilities of vehicles like the Model Y are difficult to deny.
This was highlighted in a 500-mile challenge by What Car? magazine, which showed that the new Tesla Model Y is more efficient, cheaper to run, and more reliable than rivals like the BYD Sealion 7, and even the nearly 400 KW-charging MG IM6.
Range and charging promises
On paper, the BYD Sealion 7 and MG IM6 promised standout capabilities against the Model Y. The Sealion 7 had more estimated range and the IM6 promised significantly faster charging. When faced with real-world conditions, however, it was still the Model Y that proved superior.
During the 500-mile test, the BYD nearly failed to reach a charging stop, arriving with less range than its display projected, as noted in a CarUp report. MG fared better, but its charging speeds never reached its promised nearly-400 kW charging speed. Tesla’s Model Y, by comparison, managed energy calculations precisely and arrived at each stop without issue.
Tesla leads in areas that matter
Charging times from 25% to 80% showed that the MG was the fastest at 17 minutes, while Tesla and BYD were close at 28 and 29 minutes, respectively. Overall efficiency and cost told a different story, however. The Model Y consumed 19.4 kWh per 100 km, compared to 22.2 for MG and 23.9 for BYD. Over the full trip, Tesla’s charging costs totaled just £82 thanks to its supercharger network, far below BYD’s £130 and MG’s £119.
What Car? Magazine’s testers concluded that despite BYD’s rapid sales growth and the MG IM6’s seriously impressive charging speeds, Tesla remains the more compelling real-world choice. The Model Y just offers stability, efficiency, and a proven charging infrastructure through its Supercharging network. And as per the magazine’s hosts, the Model Y is even the cheapest car to own among the three that were tested.
Watch What Car? Magazine’s 500-mile test in the video below.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck slapped with world’s least intimidating ticket, and it’s pure cringe
One cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of these babies.

A Cybertruck parked at Stanford Shopping Center in California was recently hit with what might be the most try-hard piece of paper ever slipped under a wiper blade: a “fake citation” accusing the driver of supporting a “fascist car.”
The note, shared on X by Tesla staff program manager Ryan Torres, quickly made the rounds on X, where it quickly gained attention as an example of how not to protest.
The world’s least intimidating ticket
According to the citation, the supposed “violation” was “driving a fascist car.” The remedial action? Take the bus, call an Uber, or ride a bike. The note also dubbed Elon Musk a “chainsaw-wielding Nazi billionaire.” Now, protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have become commonplace this year, but one cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of fake anti-Tesla/Musk citations.
Torres pointed out the irony himself in his post on X. Tesla currently employs over 140,000 Americans, and SpaceX has put the U.S. firmly back at the top of space technology. As Torres put it, maybe the person behind the world’s least intimidating ticket should “read a book on innovation before vandalizing” other people’s property.
Peak performative clownery
Not to mention that the fake ticket’s logic collapses under its own weight. EVs like the Cybertruck are literally designed to reduce emissions, not “destroy the economy.” If anything, Tesla has bolstered the United States’ economy by fueling jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and clean energy. It’s not the first time a Tesla has been the target of vandalism or politically charged notes, but this one stands out for sheer cringe value.
Torres summed it up neatly: “Peak clownery.” On that point, at least, the citation earns full marks. In a way, though, perhaps cringe fake tickets are not as bad as the literal firebombs that were being thrown at Tesla stores and cars earlier this year because some critics were gleefully misinformed about Elon Musk.
-
Elon Musk2 weeks ago
Tesla FSD V14 set for early wide release next week: Elon Musk
-
News1 week ago
Elon Musk gives update on Tesla Optimus progress
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla has a new first with its Supercharger network
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla job postings seem to show next surprise market entry
-
News2 weeks ago
Tesla makes a big change to reflect new IRS EV tax credit rules
-
Investor's Corner1 week ago
Tesla gets new Street-high price target with high hopes for autonomy domination
-
Lifestyle1 week ago
500-mile test proves why Tesla Model Y still humiliates rivals in Europe
-
News1 week ago
Tesla Giga Berlin’s water consumption has achieved the unthinkable