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Tesla Model 3 with Ludicrous Mode and 100 kWh battery hinted at in source code

The Tesla Model 3. (Credit: Tesla)

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It appears that Tesla may be looking to release a version of the Model 3 that exceeds those that are currently being sold in the market today. If codes left in recent software updates from the company are any indication, it seems that a 100 kWh Model 3 may be coming, and it may even be equipped with Ludicrous Mode. 

Longtime Tesla owner-enthusiast and resident community hacker @greentheonly recently took to Twitter to share some code that he found in the electric car maker’s updates. References to future and seemingly current features for the Model 3 have been present in Tesla’s codes for some time. Interestingly, some Model 3-related features appeared to be mixed in with items that were related to the Model S and X. 

Tesla eventually took out these Model S and X-related codes in the middle of the year, leaving behind what seemed to be references to items and capabilities that were exclusively for the Model 3. This is where things became very interesting. Apart from references to new, unreleased wheel configurations, codes relating to a 100 kWh battery pack were also present. What’s more, the codes also included references to a Ludicrous Mode option for the Model 3. 

It should be noted that these codes were present in Tesla’s updates even after the electric car maker purged references to the Model S and Model X a few months ago. This then inspires the speculation that a 100 kWh battery pack and Ludicrous Mode were really intended for the Model 3. 

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To be fair, Elon Musk has previously stated that the Model 3 will receive a Ludicrous Mode upgrade. When the Model 3 was recently announced, Musk confirmed the feature’s availability for the all-electric sedan. That was back in April 2016, just weeks after the initial unveiling of the Model 3. Musk has since been quite silent about any special launch mode for the all-electric vehicle.

Overall, it would be quite interesting to see just how far Tesla could push the Model 3 if the vehicle is given a massive 100 kWh battery and a Ludicrous Mode upgrade. With such a large battery pack, the Model 3 would probably have no issues hitting an EPA-rated range of 400 miles per charge, even if it’s fully performance-oriented. With Ludicrous Mode, perhaps the Model 3 could actually end up having a 0-60 mph time below 3 seconds. 

Couple all these with Track Mode and Tesla will very well end up creating a monster of an all-electric car that can out-accelerate and outperform the best ICE cars on the track. The next-gen Roadster may be an ultimate smackdown to gas cars. Perhaps the Model 3 Performance(+) will be a mini-smackdown that’s bang-for-your-buck? One could only hope.

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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 ships new feature that silences neighborhood Supercharger complaints

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tesla-diner-supercharger
Credit: Tesla

Tesla is shipping a new feature that silences neighborhood Supercharger complaints, prompting drivers to be aware of those who might be impacted by excessive noise nearby.

Tesla is now rolling out a new location-specific “Quiet Charging Zone” that prompts drivers to lower their vehicle’s audio volume in an effort to make things comfortable for everyone, even those who are not Tesla owners.

This is an impactful feature that will resolve many complaints from those who are living nearby.

When a Tesla plugs into this Supercharger and its media volume exceeds a certain level, the vehicle’s central touchscreen displays a polite notification: “Could you turn the volume down? Please be mindful of our neighbors.”

Accompanying the message is a prominent “Lower” button. One tap automatically reduces the audio to a more considerate level. Physical “Quiet Charging Zone” signs posted at the station reinforce the request, creating a cohesive experience that blends digital nudges with on-site reminders.

This feature highlights Tesla’s unique advantages. Unlike traditional automakers, Tesla owns both the vehicle software and the charging infrastructure.

Engineers can detect the precise location via GPS, trigger context-aware prompts, and deploy changes fleet-wide in hours or days without recalls or dealer visits. No public release notes highlighted the change, suggesting it was a quiet, site-specific rollout designed to test effectiveness before potential expansion.

These are usually referred to as “Undocumented Changes.”

Beyond immediate noise reduction, the initiative underscores Tesla’s customer- and community-focused ethos. While EVs are inherently quieter than combustion-engine vehicles, auxiliary behaviors like loud infotainment can still create friction in dense cities. Tesla’s rapid response turns potential conflict into an opportunity to demonstrate thoughtful engineering.

As Tesla expands its Supercharger network, which is now open to other EVs in many places, features like location-based quiet modes could become standard tools for harmonious integration into neighborhoods.

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Ferrari unveils its Luce EV, and its reception has been a disaster

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Credit: Ferrari

Ferrari unveiled its Luce EV over the weekend, and so far, its reception has been an absolute disaster, gathering negative reactions from a wide variety of people, including former executives.

The stock even took a hit on its first day of trading following the unveiling, dropping over 7 percent at one point.

Ferrari moving to EVs from its traditional V12s and mid-engine sports cars is a massive move. It was designed by Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newsom’s LoveFrom studio, which is known for design work for tech giant Apple. “Luce” means “light” in Italian, so Ferrari drew inspiration for its name from its sleek design, characterized by a smooth, sculpted body with rounded edges.

But its reception has been far from what Ferrari expected. The overall design has drawn some harsh criticism since its reveal, and it is simply stunning that such a storied company, with a rich history of beautiful, powerful cars has revealed a design that many are not a fan of.

Responses to the design were widely negative, with some saying, “Enzo is rolling in his grave,” and “This looks like a Nissan LEAF with a bad body kit.”

Former Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said:

“If I said what I really think, I’d harm Ferrari. We’re risking the destruction of a myth, I’m very sorry about that. I hope they at least remove the Prancing Horse from that car.”

Ferrari has scaled back EV commitments in the past, primarily in response to weaker-than-expected demand for its electric powertrains.

Priced at roughly $640,000 in the U.S., it is tough to see how this car will ever truly live up to the massive expectations many had for it. It almost feels like, to a certain extent, Ferrari is looking for a way to get out of building EVs.

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Tesla unveils juicy new detail on the Roadster and hints at new unveil timeline

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A red Tesla Roadster driving around a turn
(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla unveiled a juicy new detail on the Roadster, its long-delayed supercar project, and additionally hinted at a new unveiling timeline, as it appears yet another month will pass without seeing the capabilities of the vehicle.

Vice President of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla, Lars Moravy, revealed on the Ride the Lightning podcast that the Roadster will be built at Gigafactory Texas, adding that “you’ll start to see a lot of things unfold in the next months.”

While we get a good detail on the plant of manufacture, we also get another letdown, as it appears the unveiling event will not take place in May, as CEO Elon Musk hinted during the Earnings Call.

The Roadster was first unveiled back in 2017, alongside the Semi, which entered production earlier this year. It was Tesla’s attempt at a true supercar; it would be rare, expensive, and lightning quick, among other incredible capabilities, like potentially hovering for a short period thanks to a collaboration project with SpaceX.

However, the vehicle was set to be delivered in 2020. Parts and supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic started these delays, and since then, Tesla, and specifically Musk, have wanted to push the capabilities of the Roadster to somewhere the human mind may not be able to currently comprehend.

Both Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen and Moravy have said many things about the Roadster over the past few years, hinting that the car truly could be worth the wait. However, the continuous delays we’ve seen have undoubtedly been discouraging.

With that being said, it’s not like Tesla has been doing nothing. Instead, the company has been focusing on revamping current models, phasing out others, and working on developing the cars of the future, specifically, the Cybercab, which entered production at Giga Texas in April.

Despite the Roadster’s delays, there is still a ton of anticipation for the vehicle to be released. It will have a steering wheel, as Musk said it will be “the best of the last of the human-driven cars.”

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