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Tesla teases Model S Plaid Track Package set for imminent release

Credit: Tesla, Twitter

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Update: 5/4 1:24 pm est: Tesla has released the specifications of the upcoming Track Package: Para. 3

Tesla has teased an all-new track package coming to the Model S Plaid, making the vehicle more track-ready than ever before.

Since its release, the Tesla Model S Plaid has attracted numerous owners to the track, whether it be a traditional race track location or a simple drag strip. Now, doubling down on that enthusiast offering, Tesla has announced that it will be introducing a “Track Package” that could make the vehicle perform better than ever before.

Tesla announced the upcoming Track package on Twitter, showing off an incredible video of a Model S Plaid taking on the track.

Watching the video, the most apparent new modification is coming to the gauge cluster, which looks to be redesigned with crucial performance metrics displayed for the driver. Though, strangely, the system does look different from the “Track Mode” software offering that is already available on some performance models from Tesla.

Credit: Tesla, Twitter

Since posting the initial teaser, the “Tesla Model S Plaid Track Package” has been added to the Tesla store, listed as becoming available in June of this year. The extensive set of upgrades comes at a variable price, between $15-20,000 in the United States, depending on options.

The first major upgrade coming with the package is a complete set of track-ready tires from Goodyear, specifically, Goodyear’s “Supercar 3R tires… optimized for performance and track usage.” These tires come fitted to an all-new set of wheels which Tesla has named the “Zero Gs.” The tire/wheel package can also be purchased on its own for $6,000.

Other upgrades in the track package include a massive upgrade to the vehicle’s braking system. Previously sold separately as the “Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit,” the upgraded calipers and rotors are designed to take on the incredible heat and stopping power required in a track environment. Specifically, this includes two six-piston front calipers, two four-piston rear calipers, a complete set of performance brake pads, two 40mm front carbon ceramic rotors, two 38mm rear rotors, and track-ready brake fluid.

As with the Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit, the Track Package unlocks the Model S Plaid’s 200mph top speed.

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Tesla notes that this package can be fitted to new models delivered after June of this year or retrofitted to Model S Plaid vehicles, model year 2021 and up.

Considering some of the biggest concerns track users have had with the Plaid are regarding its handling, Tesla has clearly curtailed its new track offering to address those issues. And while perhaps not as aggressive as some would have wanted, either bringing suspension upgrades or interior finishes to the vehicle, it will undoubtedly allow the Model S Plaid to remain the benchmark for EV track performance around the world.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

Will is an auto enthusiast, a gear head, and an EV enthusiast above all. From racing, to industry data, to the most advanced EV tech on earth, he now covers it at Teslarati.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk handed Grok something no other AI company can get their hands on

Elon Musk says SpaceX will feed engineering data into Grok’s next model, avoiding restricted material.

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Artistic concept rendering of SpaceX data being incorporated into a Grok AI model

Elon Musk said Tuesday that SpaceX will feed its internal engineering data into the next major training run for Grok, the AI model now folded into SpaceX following February’s merger. In a post on X, Musk wrote that SpaceX’s “massive corpus of world-class engineering data,” excluding anything restricted under U.S. arms export law, will be added during supplemental training of what he called the “2T run,” a reference to a roughly two trillion parameter model that would nearly double the parameters behind the latest Grok 4.5 that’s rolling out.

The excluded material that Musk is referring to would fall under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which restricts export of technical data tied to defense and space hardware. That likely rules out propulsion specifics for Merlin and Raptor engines along with guidance and control details for SpaceX’s launch vehicles, but leaves manufacturing knowledge, materials science, and Starlink hardware design on the table.

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The announcement extends a pattern that has been building since SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut in June, when the company went public with Grok and xAI’s Colossus supercomputer folded into the pitch to investors.

Days after that listing, SpaceX closed its $60 billion all stock acquisition of coding startup Cursor, giving xAI both enterprise software distribution and a stream of real world developer data to train on. Grok 4.5 launched July 8 running partly on that Cursor training data, with Musk describing it as roughly comparable to Anthropic’s Opus 4.7 but faster and cheaper to run.

Feeding SpaceX’s own engineering data into the next AI model follows the same logic Musk has applied across xAI’s sister companies. Tesla supplies real world driving data and manufacturing expertise, X supplies conversational data, and now SpaceX supplies aerospace engineering data built up since 2002.

Musk did not give a release date for the upcoming AI model, referred to elsewhere as Grok 4.6. He has said the two trillion parameter run is in its final training phase and expected to wrap this week.

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Tesla expands ridesharing service in California to new hotspot

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has extended its Bay Area ride-hailing service to include pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The update, shared via the company’s official channels on July 21, allows users in the region to request rides directly to and from one of California’s busiest airports.

The expansion builds on Tesla’s secured limousine permit for SFO operations. Public records show the permit became effective March 20, 2026, and remains active through January 31, 2027. Tesla vehicles operating the service now display authorized limousine permits issued by the City and County of San Francisco.

Tesla’s ride-hailing program in California relies on Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. Human safety drivers remain present in compliance with state regulations, distinguishing the service from fully driverless operations.

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The Bay Area geofence covers a broad area spanning north of San Francisco to south of San Jose, offering extensive connectivity across the region.

UPDATE: Elon Musk reveals why Tesla didn’t say ‘Robotaxi’ upon California launch

This SFO addition follows earlier progress at other Bay Area airports. Tesla previously expanded service to San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in late 2025. The company had engaged with SFO, SJC, and Oakland International Airport officials as early as September 2025 to secure necessary approvals for passenger transport.

The service provides a new option for travelers seeking electric, app-based transportation integrated with Tesla’s ecosystem. Rides are booked through Tesla’s dedicated ride-hailing application, which handles matching, routing, and payments. Pricing follows standard ride-hailing models, with potential adjustments based on distance, time, and demand.

Tesla’s California ride-hailing program launched in July 2025 with an initial invite-only rollout in the Bay Area. It started alongside operations in Austin, Texas, marking the company’s second major U.S. market.

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The Bay Area remains a primary focus in California, with service centered on high-demand corridors connecting residential, commercial, and now major transportation hubs. This latest airport integration represents a practical step in Tesla’s broader mobility ambitions within the state.

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Tesla reveals 2026 Summer Update with crazy fixes to Nav and more

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially revealed its 2026 Summer Update, which comes with a variety of crazy new features, including Navigation fixes that owners have been wanting for months.

Tesla routinely releases a larger update with the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter updates, where it ships a variety of new features, bug fixes, and other additions to customer cars.

The 2026 Spring Update featured things like “Hey Grok” voice assistance, a redesigned self-driving app, Unreal Engine visual upgrades, and more.

Tesla’s Summer Release has about ten new features; we’ll show you each and detail them below:

New Grok Voice Commands

“Grok can now make phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate, open the glovebox, and answer questions about your Tesla.”

Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App

“View and share self-driving stats from the mobile app.”

Caraoke With Scoring

“Caraoke now scores your singing while in Park. High scores are saved to your Tesla profile.”

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Automatic Navigation

“Automatic Navigation now adapts to your routine.

In addition to Home, Work, and upcoming calendar events, your vehicle can now suggest and route to places you visit regularly – like a school drop-off on the way to work, or the gym on the way home.”

Preferred Routes

“For a more personalized experience, navigation now prioritizes routes that you’ve taken before”

Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App

“Set your desired Arrival Energy from your phone.”

Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App

“Skip the USB drive and upload a custom wrap of your car from the mobile app. Instructions for creating a custom wrap here: https://github.com/teslamotors/custom-wraps.”

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Rear Display Lock

“Kids can watch content on the rear screen, but only the front row can control it through the rear screen app.”

Other Improvements

  • Find Superchargers by name when searching for a destination
  • Add Apple Music songs to queue from search and artist page
  • Set your preferred zoom level for the Self-Driving visualization
  • Intro animations for new Model 3 and Y
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