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Tesla Model X completely dominates coal-rolling BMW in drag race

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There’s just something strangely gratifying about seeing a coal-rolling, smoke-belching vehicle get completely dominated in a drag race. Thanks to a recent YouTube drag race video from Portugal, we can watch this exact scenario play out, courtesy of the drag racing chops of the Tesla Model X P100D.

The drag race video was uploaded by YouTube’s CrAzYDr1veR channel, a Portugal-based auto enthusiast group that covers races and sleeper builds. The race was held at a local drag strip, where the Model X P100D faced off against ICE-based racing-modified cars. One of its opponents was a diesel-powered BMW coupe, which, based on the video of the race, was specially modified to roll coal.

Rolling coal is the practice of intentionally blowing out excessive amounts of smoke from a diesel-powered vehicle. This is done by modifying a car’s motor to increase the amount of fuel entering the engine. Some rolling coal enthusiasts take the modifications even further, removing the particulate filter of their diesel vehicles to increase the amount of smoke emitted by their cars.

The unhealthy practice originated in the United States’ Truck Pulls, a rural motorsport event that involves diesel pickup trucks pulling a weighted sled, as noted in an expose from Vocativ back in 2014. To get an advantage in the competition, some drivers began modifying their trucks so that vast amounts of fuel are dumped into the motor.

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While this results in a boost in the trucks’ horsepower, speed, and torque, it had the aftereffect of emitting large clouds of black smoke when the accelerator is pressed. The trend caught on, and over the years, a subculture was born, with the practice even evolving into a form of protest among anti-environmentalists.

When faced with a green powerhouse like a Tesla Model X P100D, however, how will a coal-rolling BMW fare? Not so well, apparently. In the recent video, the diesel-powered coupe could be seen rolling coal as soon as the light turned green. The harder the BMW accelerated, the more coal it rolled. Such a display of diesel-powered bravado, however, didn’t matter much, as the Model X immediately dominated the race. As could be seen in the video, the all-electric luxury SUV established its lead early on, thanks to its electric motors’ instant torque, and it just kept pulling until the end of the race.

The Model X P100D ultimately finished the quarter-mile run in 11.19 seconds. The coal-rolling BMW ran the quarter-mile in 12.50 seconds.

Apart from the coal-rolling BMW, the recently uploaded video also features the Model X P100D battling two souped-up hatchbacks. Just like the diesel-powered coupe, however, the two hatchbacks fell against the all-electric SUV, despite the second one getting a jump on the Model X off the line.

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Earlier this year, DragTimes’ Model X P100D set the world record for the electric SUV before completely walking all over a 707 hp Jeep Trackhawk in the quarter-mile. The Model S P100D, the Model X P100D’s sedan sibling, recently battled a fully loaded Dodge Demon in a quarter-mile race as well.

Watch the Model X P100D race a coal-rolling BMW coupe in the 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 closure to flagship ‘sentimental’ models, Musk confirms

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tesla model s model x
(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla is bringing closure to its flagship Model S and Model X vehicles, which CEO Elon Musk said several years ago were only produced for “sentimental reasons.”

The Model S and Model X have been light contributors to Tesla’s delivery growth over the past few years, commonly contributing only a few percentage points toward the over 1.7 million cars the company has handed over to customers annually since 2022.

However, the Model S and Model X have remained in production because of their high-end performance and flagship status; they are truly two vehicles that are premium offerings and do not hold major weight toward Tesla’s future goals.

On Wednesday, during the Q4 2025 Earnings Call, Musk confirmed that Tesla would bring closure to the two models, ending their production and making way for the manufacturing efforts of the Optimus robot:

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“It is time to bring the Model S and Model X programs to an end with an honorable discharge. It is time to bring the S/X programs to an end. It’s part of our overall shift to an autonomous future.”

Musk said the production lines that Tesla has for the Model S and Model X at the Fremont Factory in Northern California will be transitioned to Optimus production lines that will produce one million units per year.

Tesla Fremont Factory celebrates 15 years of electric vehicle production

Tesla will continue to service Model S and Model X vehicles, but it will officially stop deliveries of the cars in Q2, as inventory will be liquidated. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

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Tesla has been making moves to sunset the two vehicles for the better part of one year. Last July, it stopped taking any custom orders for vehicles in Europe, essentially pushing the idea that the program was coming to a close soon.

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Musk said back in 2019:

“I mean, they’re very expensive, made in low volume. To be totally frank, we’re continuing to make them more for sentimental reasons than anything else. They’re really of minor importance to the future.”

That point is more relevant than ever as Tesla is ending the production of the cars to make way for Optimus, which will likely be Tesla’s biggest product in the coming years.

Musk added during the Earnings Call on Wednesday that he believes Optimus will be a major needle-mover of the United States’ GDP, as it will increase productivity and enable universal high income for humans.

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Tesla Model X lost 400 pounds thanks to these changes

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Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model X has always been one of the company’s most loved vehicles, despite its low sales figures, which can be attributed to its high price tag.

However, the Model X has been a signature item on Tesla’s menu of cars, most notably recognized by its Falcon Wing Doors, which are aware of its surroundings and open according to what’s around it.

But recent improvements to the Model X were looking slim to none, but it appears most of the fixes actually happened under the body, at least according to Tesla’s Vice President of Powertrain, Lars Moravy.

In a recent interview with Car and Driver, Moravy detailed all of the changes to the 2026 iteration of the vehicle, which was about 400 pounds lighter than it was originally. The biggest change is a modification with the rear motor, switching from an induction-type motor to a permanent-magnet design and optimizing the half-shafts, which shed about 100 pounds.

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Tesla also got “almost 80 pounds out of the interior bits and pieces,” which “included making parts thinner, different manufacturing process choices, and incorporating airbag-deployment requirements into the headliner fabric,” the report said.

Additionally, the standard five-passenger, bench seat configuration saved 50 pounds by ditching pedestal mounting. This also helped with practicality, as it helped the seat fold flat. Engineers at Tesla also saved 44 pounds from the high-voltage wiring through optimizing the wiring from the charge-port DC/DC converter and switching from copper to aluminum wiring.

Tesla makes a decision on the future of its flagship Model S and Model X

Tesla also simplified the cooling system by reducing the number of radiators. It also incorporated Nürburgring cooling requirements for the Plaid variant, which saved nearly 30 pounds.

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Many Tesla fans will be familiar with the megacastings, manufactured in-house by presses from IDRA, which also saves more than 20 pounds and boosts torsional stiffness by around 10 percent. Tweaks to the suspension also saved 10 pounds.

People were truly disappointed with what Tesla did with the Model S and Model X, arguing that the cars needed a more severe exterior overhaul, which might be true. However, Tesla really did a lot to reduce the weight of the vehicle, which helps increase range and efficiency. According to Grok, every 200 pounds removed adds between 7 and 15 percent to range estimations.

This makes sense considering the range estimations both increased by 7 percent from the Model X’s 2025 configuration to the 2026 builds. Range increased on the All-Wheel-Drive trim from 329 miles to 352 miles, while the Plaid went from 314 miles to 335 miles.

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Tesla pushes crazy ‘Luxe’ incentive package on flagship Model S and X

Tesla is pushing more customers to the Model S and Model X with a new incentive package.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has pushed a crazy new incentive package, known as the “Luxe Package,” on the flagship Model S and Model X, along with a $10,000 price increase on each trim level.

The move aims to likely bolster margins for the company on the two cars while also giving those who choose to buy the Tesla lineup mainstays a variety of awesome advantages, including Free Supercharging, Full Self-Driving, and other add-ons.

Tesla is offering a crazy Supercharging incentive on its two ‘sentimental’ vehicles

Last night, Tesla launched the “Luxe Package” for the Model S and Model X, which includes the following four add-ons:

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  • Full Self-Driving (Supervised) – Your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention
  • Four-Year Premium Service – Wheel and Tire Protection, Windshield Protection, and Recommended Maintenance
  • Supercharging – Charge for free at 70,000+ Superchargers worldwide
  • Premium Connectivity – Listen to music, stream movies, monitor live traffic, and more – no Wi-Fi needed

Full Self-Driving is priced at $8,000. Free Supercharging for the life of the car is between $10,000 and $15,000 over the life of the vehicle, although Tesla has valued it at $5,000 in recent promotions.

Free Premium Connectivity is roughly $1,000, and the four-year tire, wheel, windshield, and maintenance plan is about $3,200.

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In all, the value is over $25,000, but this is loosely based on usage.

The Model S and Model X are low contributors to Tesla’s overall sales figures, as they make up less than five percent of sales from a quarterly perspective and have for some time.

As they are certainly the luxury choices in Tesla’s lineup, the Model 3 and Model Y are the bigger focus for the company, as a significantly larger portion of the company’s sales is made up of those vehicles.

The Luxe Package is an especially good idea for those who drive high-mileage and plan to use the Model S or Model X for commuting or long drives. The free Supercharging makes the deal worth it on its own.

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As for the price bumps, each of the vehicles are now priced as follows:

  • Model S All-Wheel-Drive: $94,990
  • Model S Plaid: $109,990
  • Model X All-Wheel-Drive: $99,990
  • Model X Plaid: $114,990
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