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First close look at Tesla Model 3 Performance with white interior on delivery lot

[Credit: Mark Benton/YouTube]

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As Tesla begins the rollout of the Model 3 Performance as designated test drive units to some of its showrooms, sightings of the dual motor, high-performance variant of the electric car have started emerging. 

Over the past weekend, reports from members of the Tesla community indicated that the Model 3 Performance had been delivered to some of Tesla’s locations, most notably the Buena Park, CA center. Twitter user Larry Lach, for one, noted in his sighting that there were at least five units of the Model 3 Performance in the Buena Park facility. Other reports, particularly that of r/TeslaMotors subreddit member u/TheHalfChubPrince, shared additional details of the vehicle, such as its economy rating of 116 MPGe. Images shared online further showcased the vehicle’s Premium white interior and its aluminum performance pedals, as well as its 20″ Sport Wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 235/35/ZR20 tires and red performance brake calipers.

Since Tesla managed to hit its goal of producing 5,000 Model 3 per week during the final week of the second quarter, the company has stopped its anti-selling initiatives for the vehicle and opened up its Model 3 online configurator to all North American customers. In addition, Elon Musk doubled down on Twitter, reiterating that roughly 100 Dual Motor Model 3 Performance vehicles have been manufactured and will be utilized as test drive units. Tesla uploaded a video of the vehicle’s capabilities while skidpad testing as well. Not long after this, sightings of the car in the Fremont factory’s lot were posted by RS Metrics on Twitter, showing what appears to be the Model 3 Performance fleet that Musk mentioned being prepared for shipping.

Both Elon Musk and Tesla’s official Twitter account further teased several features of the vehicle, such as it upgraded brake package comprised of an upgraded Brembo brake system that includes lightweight two-piece rotors and larger front rotors. The suspension of the electric car was also teased heavily by Musk, who stated that the compact electric car would feature a lower ride height thanks to a tuned suspension system.

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Over the past few months, the Model 3 has proved itself as a car that can handle the track, unlike its larger sibling, the Model S, which remains prone to heating issues after a few hot laps. With upgraded brakes and suspension, the all-electric sedan becomes a very capable track car. A race-modified Model 3 recently took first place in its category at the 2018 Canadian Sport Compact Series Time Attack series, beating out a Porsche Boxter in the process.

The Model 3 Performance is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, boasts a top speed of 155 mph and capable of 310 miles of driving per single charge. With a price of $64,000 before options, the Model 3 Performance provides interested electric car buyers with a high-performance vehicle that is quite reasonably priced. Including Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, the vehicle reaches a price of $80,000, which is significantly higher than Tesla’s originally promised $35,000 base model. Still, a top-of-the-line all-wheel drive Model 3 is considerably more affordable than comparable vehicles like the BMW M3, which costs $91,759 fully loaded, and the $106,000 Mercedes AMG C 63 S Coupe.

Watch a video walkaround of the Model 3 Performance in the Buena Park, CA spotted by Tesla owner Mark Benton below. As noted by Mark in his video, the Model 3 Performance with VIN55394 in Buena Park did not have its carbon fiber spoiler and its Dual Motor badge installed as of yet. These accents are set to be installed on the vehicle after delivery. 

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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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SpaceX weighs Nasdaq listing as company explores early index entry: report

The company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index.

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Credit: SpaceX/X

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is reportedly leaning toward listing its shares on the Nasdaq for a potential initial public offering (IPO) that could become the largest in history. 

As per a recent report, the company is reportedly seeking early inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 index. The update was reported by Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter.

According to the publication, SpaceX is considering Nasdaq as the venue for its eventual IPO, though the New York Stock Exchange is also competing for the listing. Neither exchange has reportedly been informed of a final decision.

Reuters has previously reported that SpaceX could pursue an IPO as early as June, though the company’s plans could still change.

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One of the publication’s sources also suggested that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of about $1.75 trillion for its IPO. At that level, the company would rank among the largest publicly traded firms in the United States by market capitalization.

Nasdaq has proposed a rule change that could accelerate the inclusion of newly listed megacap companies into the Nasdaq-100 index.

Under the proposed “Fast Entry” rule, a newly listed company could qualify for the index in less than a month if its market capitalization ranks among the top 40 companies already included in the Nasdaq-100.

If SpaceX is successful in achieving its target valuation of $1.75 trillion, it would become the sixth-largest company by market value in the United States, at least based on recent share prices. 

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Newly listed companies typically have to wait up to a year before becoming eligible for major indexes such as the Nasdaq-100 or S&P 500.

Inclusion in a major index can significantly broaden a company’s shareholder base because many institutional investors purchase shares through index-tracking funds.

According to Reuters, Nasdaq’s proposed fast-track rule is partly intended to attract highly valued private companies such as SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic to list on the exchange.

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The Boring Company’s Prufrock-2 emerges after completing new Vegas Loop tunnel

The new tunnel measures 2.28 miles, making it the company’s longest single Vegas Loop tunnel to date.

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Credit: The Boring Company/X

The Boring Company announced that its Prufrock-2 tunnel boring machine (TBM) has completed another Vegas Loop tunnel in Las Vegas. The company shared the update in a post on social media platform X.

According to The Boring Company’s post, the new tunnel measures 2.28 miles, making it the company’s longest single Vegas Loop tunnel to date.

The new tunnel marks the fourth tunnel constructed near Westgate Las Vegas as the Vegas Loop network continues expanding across the city.

The Boring Company also noted that the new tunnel surpassed its previous internal record of 2.26 miles for a single Vegas Loop segment.

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Construction of the tunnel involved moving roughly 68,000 cubic yards of dirt. The excavation process also used about 4.8 miles of continuous conveyor belt, powered by six motors totaling 825 horsepower.

The Boring Company’s Prufrock-series all-electric tunnel boring machines are designed to support the rapid expansion of company’s underground transportation projects, including the growing Vegas Loop network. Prufrock machines are designed for reusability, thanks in no small part to their capability to be deployed and retrieved easily through their “porposing” feature.

The Vegas Loop, specifically the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) Loop segment, has already been used during major events. Most recently, the LVCC Loop supported the 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction trade show, which was held from March 3-7, 2026. 

As per The Boring Company, the LVCC Loop transported roughly 82,000 passengers across the convention center campus during the event’s duration. 

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CONEXPO-CON/AGG is one of the largest construction trade shows in North America, drawing more than 140,000 construction professionals from 128 countries this year.

The LVCC Loop forms the initial segment of the broader Vegas Loop network, which remains under active development as The Boring Company continues building new tunnels throughout the city.

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Tesla gathers Cybercab fleet in Gigafactory Texas

Images and video of the Cybercab fleet were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.

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Credit: Credit: @JoeTegtmeyer/X

Tesla appears to be assembling a growing number of Cybercabs at Gigafactory Texas as preparations continue for the vehicle’s mass production. Recent footage shared online has shown over 30 Cybercabs being transported by trucks or staged near testing areas at the facility.

The images and video were shared by longtime Giga Texas observer and drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer in posts on social media platform X.

Interestingly enough, Tegtmeyer noted that many of the Cybercabs being loaded onto transport trucks were still equipped with steering wheels. This suggests that the vehicles are likely testing units rather than the final driverless configuration expected for the company’s Robotaxi service.

The vehicles could potentially be headed to testing sites across the United States as Tesla prepares to expand its Robotaxi fleet.

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Additional footage captured at Gigafactory Texas also showed the Cybercab’s side and rear camera washer system operating as vehicles were being loaded onto transport trucks.

The growing number of Cybercabs at Giga Texas comes amidst the company’s announcement that the first production Cybercab has been produced at the facility. Full Cybercab production is expected to begin in April.

The vehicle is expected to play a central role in Tesla’s Robotaxi ambitions as the company looks to expand autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond its early deployments using Model Y vehicles.

Tesla has also linked Cybercab production to its proposed Unboxed manufacturing process, which assembles large vehicle modules separately before integrating them. The approach is intended to reduce production costs and accelerate output.

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Musk has also noted that the Cybercab’s ramp will likely begin slowly due to the number of new components and manufacturing steps involved. However, he stated that once the process matures, Cybercab production could scale quickly.

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