Connect with us

News

Elon Musk gives tips to optimize Tesla Model 3 Performance, teases 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds

[Credit: MKBHD/Twitter]

Published

on

Elon Musk recently gave some tips for would-be owners of the Model 3 Performance — in order to fully optimize the electric car’s capabilities and speed, equipping it with stickier and wider tires at the rear is recommended. According to Musk, the Model 3 Performance would likely be capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds with optimized rims and tires.

Musk’s advice came as a response to Tesla enthusiast Ryan McCaffrey, who mentioned an observation from the Wall Street Journal‘s Dan Neil, who recently reviewed the Model 3 Performance. According to Neil, the Model 3 Performance is already an excellent car, but it would be even better if it had a better set of tires. Musk responded, stating that Tesla had to give up some of the car’s grip to optimize its range. For drivers aiming for top performance, Musk stated that upgrading the tires and wheels can give the car an extra boost.

Advertisement

As could be seen in Tesla’s configuration page for the vehicle, the Model 3 Performance is capable of going from a dead stop to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, thanks to its twin electric motors that deliver instant torque. The electric car also has a top speed of 155 mph, as well as a range of 310 miles on a single charge. In true Tesla tradition, Elon Musk teased back in May that the Model 3 Performance’s power output could be a bit higher than expected.

Tesla already has a reputation for making its vehicles faster over time. Just last year, Tesla opted to “uncork” the 75D variants of the Model S and Model X. The Model S 75D, for example, had a notable boost in acceleration after the vehicle’s 0-60 mph time was reduced from 5.2 seconds to 4.2 seconds through a free software update. The Model X 75D also had a similar performance bump, with the all-electric SUV’s 0-60 time dropping from 6.0 seconds to 4.9 seconds. Thus, with Elon Musk’s announcement last May, expectations were high that Tesla would likely improve the Model 3 Performance’s acceleration and capabilities over time as well. Talks of a Ludicrous Mode upgrade, which Musk reacted positively to before, were also reiterated.

When he announced the vehicle’s specs on Twitter, Elon Musk stated that the Model 3 Performance, with its 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, would be 15% faster on the track than a BMW M3. Considering that a simple improvement in wheels and tires would likely cause the vehicle to accelerate .20 seconds faster, Musk’s estimates for the Model 3 Performance might actually end up being rather conservative.

When Tesla announced the Model S P85D back in 2014, the company unveiled the vehicle’s Insane Mode, which allowed the family sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, rivaling the McLaren F1, a legendary supercar that Musk admits is one of the best cars to ever be made. The McLaren F1 has a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds — just .10 seconds faster than the raw acceleration of the Model 3 Performance with wider rear tires.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Comments

Elon Musk

Tesla FSD mocks BMW human driver: Saves pedestrian from near miss

Tesla FSD anticipated a BMW driver’s lane drift before the human behind the wheel could react.

Published

on

By

A video posted to r/TeslaFSD this week put a sharp spotlight on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software being able to react to pedestrian intent than an actual human driver behind the wheel. In the Reddit clip, a BMW driver can be seen rolling through a neighborhood street completely unaware of a pedestrian stepping in to cross. At the same time, a Tesla  driving on FSD had already begun slowing down before the pedestrian even began their attempt to cross the street The BMW kept moving, prompting the pedestrian to hop back, while the Tesla came to a stop and provide right-of-way for the human to safely cross.

That gap between what the BMW driver saw and what FSD had already processed is the story. Tesla FSD wasn’t reacting to a person in the street, rather it was reading the signals that a person was about to enter it based on the pedestrian’s movement, trajectory, and their trajectory to telegraph intent.

Tesla’s FSD is now built on an end-to-end neural network trained on billions of real-world miles, learning to interpret subtle human behavioral cues the same way an experienced human driver does instinctively. The difference is consistency. A human driver distracted for two seconds misses what FSD does not.

Tesla sues California DMV over Autopilot and FSD advertising ruling

Advertisement

Reddit commenters in the thread were blunt about the BMW driver’s failure, with several pointing out that the pedestrian was visible well before the crossing. One response put it plainly that the car on FSD saw the situation developing before the human in the other car had registered there was a situation at all.

Tesla has published data showing FSD (Supervised) is 54% safer than a human driver, accumulated across billions of miles driven on the system. Elon Musk has said FSD v14 will outperform human drivers by a factor of two to three, and that v15 has “a shot” at a 10x improvement. Pedestrian safety is where the stakes are highest, and where intent prediction closes the gap fastest. At 30 mph, a car covers roughly 44 feet per second. An extra second of awareness from reading a person’s body language rather than waiting for them to step out is often the difference between a near miss and a fatality.

Video and community discussion: r/TeslaFSD on Reddit

FSD saves man from becoming a pancake. BMW driver nearly flattens him.
by
u/Qwertygolol in
TeslaFSD

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tesla Robotaxi gets a small but significant change

In the world of Tesla, where billion-dollar battery breakthroughs and autonomy milestones dominate headlines, a quiet design update can still pack a punch.

Published

on

Credit: David Moss | X

In the world of Tesla, where billion-dollar battery breakthroughs and autonomy milestones dominate headlines, a quiet design update can still pack a punch.

Last week in downtown Austin, sharp-eyed observers spotted a subtle but telling evolution on the Cybercab: a new “ROBOTAXI” logo graphic now graces the vehicle’s doors at Tesla’s Autonomy Popup.

What looks at first glance like a minor stylistic choice is, in fact, a deliberate rebranding move that hints at how the company envisions its robotaxi fleet fitting into everyday life.

The updated lettering is bold, graffiti-inspired, and unapologetically street-smart. Rendered in black with dripping white accents and a glowing yellow outline, the font evokes urban energy and playful irreverence.

Advertisement

Gone is the sleek, minimalist typography that defined earlier Cybercab prototypes. In its place is something more human, almost rebellious.

Advertisement

The new logo pops against the Cybercab’s smooth, metallic body, turning the autonomous pod into a rolling piece of public art rather than just another futuristic taxi.

Designers know that fonts are silent brand ambassadors. They shape perception before a single ride is taken. Tesla’s classic sans-serif aesthetic screams precision engineering and Silicon Valley cool.

The new Robotaxi script leans into accessibility and fun, suggesting the vehicle is approachable, not intimidating. For a product meant to ferry strangers through city streets 24/7, that matters. It signals that the robotaxi isn’t reserved for tech elites; it’s for everyone.

Tesla Cybercab spotted next to Model Y shows size comparison

Advertisement

The timing is no accident. With regulatory approvals for unsupervised autonomy advancing and Tesla preparing to scale Cybercab production, the company is shifting from prototype showcase to fleet deployment.

A fresh logo helps differentiate the vehicles visually in dense urban environments—crucial for rider recognition and brand recall. It also aligns with Elon Musk’s long-standing ethos: make the future feel exciting, not sterile.

Small changes like this often foreshadow a larger strategy. Tesla has always obsessed over details—door handles, screen interfaces, even the curvature of a steering wheel.

Updating the Robotaxi font reflects the same meticulous care now applied to consumer-facing autonomy. It’s not just paint on metal; it’s a statement that the ride of the future should feel personal, memorable, and undeniably cool.

Advertisement

In an industry racing toward self-driving fleets, Tesla’s willingness to evolve even the smallest visual cues shows confidence. A font won’t launch the robotaxi network, but it might just help millions climb aboard with a smile.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla makes latest announcement on Model S and Model X

The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially begun winding down production of its flagship Model S and Model X in the United States, notifying owners via email that the long-running models will soon reach the end of the line.

The email, sent to U.S. customers on March 27, opens with gratitude. “Model S and Model X marked the beginning of the world’s transition to electric transportation,” it reads. “These vehicles also made it possible for Tesla to develop the technology that would move our world toward autonomy.”

Tesla officially begins sunset of Model S and Model X

It then delivers the news directly: “As we make way for this autonomous future, Model S and Model X production will be ending. If you’d like to bring home a new Model S or Model X, order yours soon from our limited inventory.”

Advertisement

The message closes with a simple thank-you: “Thank you for being part of our journey.”

Advertisement

The announcement follows Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement on the Q4 2025 earnings call in late January. Musk described the decision as an “honorable discharge” for the two vehicles, noting that production would wind down in Q2 2026.

The move frees factory floor space at Fremont, California, for next-generation manufacturing, including Optimus humanoid robots and the upcoming Robotaxi platform.

Introduced in 2012 and 2015, respectively, the Model S and Model X were Tesla’s original halo cars. They proved EVs could outperform gasoline luxury vehicles in acceleration, range, and tech features while pioneering over-the-air updates and early autonomy hardware.

Although they never matched the volume of the Model 3 and Model Y, their engineering breakthroughs laid the foundation for the company’s current lineup and full self-driving development.

Advertisement

Early adopters highlighted how the cars convinced them to invest in Tesla stock and the EV movement. Some U.S. owners who had not yet received the note voiced mild frustration, and international customers confirmed the outreach remains U.S.-only for now.

Tesla has not detailed an exact final production date beyond the Q2 2026 target or confirmed immediate replacements. Speculation continues about a possible Cybertruck-derived SUV, but the company’s public focus has shifted squarely to autonomy and robotics.

For buyers still interested in the S or X, the window is closing. Inventory is described as limited, and Tesla’s Korean division has already set a March 31 cutoff for new orders in that market. The email serves as both a farewell and final sales push, an elegant close to a chapter that helped define modern electric driving.

Advertisement
Continue Reading