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Tesla Model 3 racing tires for ‘Track Mode Package’ spotted in official parts catalog

A Tesla Model 3 Performance with Track Mode rips through a closed circuit. (Credit: Motor Trend)

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Tesla may be releasing racing-optimized tires for the Model 3 Performance as part of a dedicated “Track Mode Package” in the near future, if a recent find in the company’s official parts catalog for the vehicle is any indication. 

A look at the tires for the Tesla Model 3 in the electric car maker’s online parts catalog reveals that a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 – 245/35ZR20 (95Y) XL tires has been listed for the all-electric sedan. Interestingly, the words “Track Mode Package” were mentioned in the item’s description as well. 

The current iterations of the Tesla Model 3 Performance are equipped with 235/35/20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, which are great for daily driving and adequate for the track. The tires are sticky enough for the Model 3 Performance to attack corners at high speed with confidence, but they still have notable areas for improvement. 

In comparison, the 20″ Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires listed in Tesla’s official parts catalog are more appropriate for track-heavy sessions. The Pilot Sports Cup 2 is created for optimum track driving, and this is evident in the fact that the tires were developed by Michelin in partnership with esteemed automakers such as Porsche and Ferrari. Pilot Sports Cup 2 tires are also noted for their capability to endure multiple hot laps without any issues. 

Michelin’s Pilot Sports Cup 2 tires utilize an endurance racing compound in its outer tread and a rigid elastomer in its inner tread, allowing vehicles to complete faster laps on a dry track. Its deep tread depth also allows vehicles to remain stable despite wet track conditions. With these advantages, the tire-maker claims in its official website that Pilot Sports Cup 2 tires have the potential to give drivers 50% more laps around a closed circuit. 

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This suggests that Tesla’s yet-to-be-announced “Track Mode Package” is seriously dedicated for closed-circuit driving. One of the reasons behind the Model 3 Performance’s 20″ Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, after all, was their balance between track-capability and daily driving comfort. This does not seem to be the case with the Pilot Sports Cup 2 tires in the “Track Mode Package.” 

Considering that Tesla has not announced a “Track Mode Package” for the Model 3 to date, one can only speculate about what the entire setup would entail. Tesla owners and enthusiasts of the r/TeslaMotors subreddit have suggested that the package could be a step towards the release of a more track-optimized Model 3 Performance. 

While details about Tesla’s “Track Mode Package” for the Model 3 are scarce, the presence of racing-optimized tires for the all-electric sedan bode well for electric car buyers. By offering tires that are designed for multiple hot laps, Tesla appears to be suggesting that its most affordable Performance-branded vehicle will be able to perform well in a closed circuit, and complete several laps with no problems. 

This might very well be the case. Tesla, after all, has likely gathered more data from the use of Track Mode by its Model 3 Performance fleet since the feature was released last year. Through this, it is plausible that the electric car maker is cooking up something even more special for owners who love to push their vehicles to their limit.

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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 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.

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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.

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

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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.”

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

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.

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.

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Tesla drives drunk owner while he naps, Police still arrest him on DUI

A Vacaville man let his Tesla drive while he napped, but police had other ideas.

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Tesla drives drunk owner, Police arrest on DUI [Credit: Vacaville Police via Facebook]

A Northern California man found a creative solution to drunk driving this week by letting his Tesla drive him around while he took a booze snooze. Police in Vacaville arrested a man on a DUI charge after he was found, what appears to be, completely passed out behind the wheel of a Tesla Model Y, which was safely self-navigating the owner through busy streets. The man’s passenger seat told the rest of the story, with a four-pack of Sutter Home wine bottles and a box of Round Table pizza clearly visible.

According to the Vacaville Police Department, as posted through their Facebook page, a concerned community member spotted the very relaxed driver, stayed on the line with dispatch, and guided officers to the intersection of Elmira Road and Shasta Drive where they stopped the vehicle. Alcohol and marijuana were confirmed. No medical emergency, and what appears to be just an extremely committed drunken nap.

The Vacaville Police noted that California permits drivers to use assistive driving features like Tesla’s FSD, but the law still requires them to be “conscious, alert, and not under the influence while operating them.” The post drew some humorous reactions in the comments section, with one commenter piping in, “That time when his vehicle had more situational awareness than he did.” Another commenter chimed in, “Sutter all the way home….”

Tesla Full Self-Driving v14.2.1 texting and driving: we tested it

The incident lands in an interesting moment for Tesla. Elon Musk caused his own stir in December 2025 when he responded to a user question about whether FSD v14.2.1 allowed texting behind the wheel with a simple “Depending on context of surrounding traffic, yes.” He had earlier told investors that drivers turning off autopilot to check texts while steering with their knees was “significantly less safe” than simply letting FSD run, which he called “kind of the killer app.” Neither statement included anything about Sutter Home wine being part of the equation.

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