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Tesla Model X windshield connects driver with nature & tech like never before

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Tesla’s Model X “Big Sky” windshield continues to grab media and consumer attention due to its unique design and gorgeous aesthetics. But beyond having world-class engineering, Model X’s panoramic windshield provides an intimate experience allowing driver and passengers to intersect with nature like never-before-seen.

A new video, filmed largely in Yosemite National Park, provides the viewer with a first person perspective on what it’s like to ride inside a Tesla Model X. The huge windshield, boasting 31-square-feet (2.9-square-meters) of glass, provides an unparalleled view of the surroundings. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has called this a “helicopter cockpit-like riding experience.” As the Model X reaches Yosemite park’s outer gates, images of puffy clouds against a deep blue sky balance wide angle shots of the Model X maneuvering carefully through traffic.

We’re left with an impression of being one with our surroundings while the vehicle continues to provide passenger comfort in the form of individually heated seats and navigation data displayed on an enormous 17″ center touchscreen.

Visibility benefits of Model X’s enormous windshield

The Model X panoramic windshield brings the world inside. Each person riding within the all-electric crossover SUV is given an enhanced ability to see around the car, accentuating the safety of all. The video reveals shots from both the driver’s and passengers’ points of view. Extending all the way above the driver and front passenger seats back to the rear seat, the windshield reinforces improved visibility for all the Model X’ occupants, regardless of their seating arrangement within the vehicle.

The larger windshield also seems to give the driver a better sense of surrounding and oncoming traffic, as several video scenes display fast-moving vehicles zooming down and around mountainsides, or over-sized campers crawling up elevation changes. In each, the Model X, due to its windshield with one massive piece of glass, empowers the driver to fuller perspectives of the road, other vehicles, and obstacles.

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Plane-spotting for the kids has never been more fun in the Model X.

The Tesla Model X windshield is ultraviolet and infrared-blocking; it also includes rain-sensing, adjustable-speed windshield wipers. “The Model X has the largest all-glass panoramic windshield in production, providing an unparalleled view of the stars and the sky above,” according to a statement from the company. “Optimized solar tinting and obstruction-free view creates unlimited visibility for the driver and all passengers.”

Great for road trips

The video setting of Yosemite symbolizes the essential American yearning to be a rugged individualist. The Model X windshield reveals tall firs that foreground sheer mountain cliffs and rugged terrain. It’s a truly separate experience from driving in any other vehicle. We peer deeply ahead into a red-lit tunnel carved into a mountain, move to overhead shots of overhanging branches, and ease back down to road level two-lane traffic.

The video makes us ask, What better way is there to strive toward a better lifestyle than through the experience of owning a Model X? As the landscape moves by the windshield, the fluidity of the visual experience which is gained from the extensive windshield area invites ease of long distance travel. That, of course, is in addition to the car’s quiet, luxury features, and comfort.

Reaffirms our green philosophy

We as viewers feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re part of a more sustainable and secure world, which makes us all safer and healthier. If we hadn’t before, we come to understand how Tesla has designed the Model X with its panoramic windshield in a way that combines style, acceleration, and handling with advanced technologies. We’re part of a viable alternative to fossil-fuel cars. It really is emblematic of Elon Musk’s master plan realized.

We feel part of the Tesla’s global efforts to expedite the move from a mine-and-burn hydrocarbon economy towards a solar electric economy as a primary sustainable solution.

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Carolyn Fortuna is a writer and researcher with a Ph.D. in education from the University of Rhode Island. She brings a social justice perspective to environmental issues. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Google+

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X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

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Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

A Near Fall

During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately. 

Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.

X User to the Rescue

It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.

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Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Not Planned, But Welcomed

The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump. 

“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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