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Tesla Model S, X P100D duo takes on superbike, supercars in drag race

[Credit: Tesla Owners Italia/YouTube]

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A team comprised of two Tesla Model S P100D and one Tesla Model X P100D recently teamed up to battle a series of supercars and a superbike in a drag race. 

The multi-class drag race was organized and shared on YouTube by Tesla Owners Italia. Apart from the two Model S P100D and the Model X P100D, the race also included supercars such as the Porsche 911 GT3, the Nissan GT-R, the Lotus Evora, and the Bentley Bentayga. As icing on the cake, a Ducati Panigale, one of the most iconic superbikes currently available in the market, was also included in the race.

The opponents of the Tesla team were no pushovers. The Porsche 911 GT3 boasts roughly 500 hp of power at 8250 rpm, thanks to its flat-six engine. The Nissan GT-R lives up to its Godzilla moniker, with its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 656 hp at 6800 rpm. The Lotus Evora is no slouch, either, with its 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine. Lastly, the Ducati Panigale is a powerhouse bike, with its 2018 iteration being equipped with a 1,103 cc liquid-cooled V4 engine.

As could be seen in the video of the race, the overall winner was ultimately the Ducati Panigale, which finished the race at 9.79 seconds. Less than a second after that was one of the Model S P100D, with a time of 10.86 seconds. The Model X P100D, one of two SUVs in the race, soundly beat its rival, the Bentley Bentayga (11.92 seconds), coming in at fifth with a time of 11.74 seconds. The Lotus Evora finished last, with a time of 13.42 seconds.

Overall, the instant torque provided by the Tesla team’s electric motors played a valuable part in giving the vehicles an early lead in the race. By the time cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 (11.49 seconds) and the Nissan GT-R (11.60 seconds) hit their stride, the Model S P100D was already close to finishing its run.

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The Tesla Model S P100D and the Model X P100D might not be specifically made for the track or the drag strip, but the vehicles themselves perform wonders in races. Back in February alone, the Tesla Model X P100D humiliated one of the fastest-accelerating ICE SUVs in the market today — the Hellcat-powered Jeep Trackhawk. During that particular bout, the Model X P100D walked all over its competitor, shooting off the line and finishing the drag race ahead of the Dodge-made ICE SUV.

Even the Model 3, Tesla’s least powerful vehicle in the company’s  current lineup, is proving to be a notable force in drag races as well. Last month, we covered an informal race between the Model 3 and the Chevy Bolt. As could be seen in that particular battle, the Model 3 completely overwhelmed the Bolt in a straight line, leaving it completely in the dust. A Pontiac G8 GT with a 6.0-liter OHV V8 did not fare better either, with the gas-guzzling car falling behind the Model 3 in a street race. 

Watch Tesla Owners Italia’s Model S and X vs. Supercars and Superbike video below.

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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 brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.

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Credit: Unplugged Performance

A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.

The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry. 

A strategic fit

Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.

That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.

“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”

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Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”

Enabling the next wave

Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.

“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.

The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.

Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.

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In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”

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