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Tesla Model Y vs Audi RS4 drag race reveals practical sports car winner
A Tesla Model Y took on an Audi RS4 Avant in a drag race, highlighting which vehicle is the clear choice for those looking for a practical performance car.
There is an extensive segment of the performance car market for those looking for something fast yet practical. Since the earliest days of the automotive industry, this segment has been the proving ground for most performance vehicles, and now more than ever, the Tesla Model Y Performance has become the clear choice. This has never been better highlighted than in a new drag race, posted on Youtube by Carwow, in which the popular EV takes on the Audi RS4 Avant wagon.
The Audi RS4 has historically been an excellent choice for those looking for a performance car that can do “car things.” Need to go to the grocery store? No problem. Have to grab some tools and supplies at Home Depot? Not even a question. Have to fit your family, dog, and luggage for a multi-day road trip? The wagon will do it all. But with the advent of EVs, this historic titan has finally met its match.
Looking at the specifications of the two vehicles, this is easily one of the closest races that there could be. The Tesla Model Y Performance has a substantial output advantage, 527 horsepower, compared to the 450 from Audi’s twin-turbo 2.9 liter V6. However, it is held back by an equally considerable weight disparity, highlighted in the video. This adds up to an incredibly tight race regarding the power-to-weight ratio.
Surprisingly, despite the Tesla’s off-the-line advantage, the Audi quickly catches up and makes it a tight race each time they run. However, the Audi only beat the Tesla consistently over the half-mile with a 30mph moving start.
For those considering the practicality of both vehicles, the Tesla Model Y has its German counterpart beat. In the proper configuration, it carries more people and stuff (thank you, front trunk), and with its suite of tech offerings, including Full Self Driving, it even beats the Audi in software capabilities.
Perhaps more shocking than the Model Y’s performance parity with the Audi is its pricing. At its base model, the Audi Rs4 is nearly 10,000 pounds ($12,443) more expensive than the Tesla Model Y Performance, and that doesn’t even include generous incentives offered by the British government. Those who splurge for Audi’s top-tier model are looking at an even wider price discrepancy, over 25,000 pounds ($31,108).
Ignoring the performance parity and pricing advantage of the Model Y, the Tesla has one other distinct advantage over its German counterpart; access. As the British government has tightened restrictions regarding where ICE vehicles can be driven, and numerous other European countries look to do the same, choosing the gas Audi over the electric Tesla is quickly becoming impractical.
Overall, the best news for consumers is that high-performance family offerings aren’t going away anytime soon. As Audi and other traditional performance brands continue to improve their electric offerings, the options people can choose from will become increasingly higher quality and of more variety. Hopefully, those upcoming electric offerings can come sooner rather than later.
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!
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Tesla seeks approval to test FSD Supervised in new Swedish city
Tesla has applied to conduct local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing in the city of Jönköping, Sweden.
Tesla has applied to conduct local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing in the city of Jönköping, Sweden.
As per local outlet Jönköpings-Posten, Tesla has contacted the municipality with a request to begin FSD (Supervised) tests in the city. The company has already received approval to test its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software in several Swedish municipalities, as well as on the national road network.
Sofia Bennerstål, Tesla’s Head of Public Policy for Northern Europe, confirmed that an application has been submitted for FSD’s potential tests in Jönköping.
“I can confirm that we have submitted an application, but I cannot say much more about it,” Bennerstål told the news outlet. She also stated that Tesla is “satisfied with the tests” in the region so far.
The planned tests in Jönköping would involve a limited number of Tesla-owned vehicles. Trained Tesla safety drivers would remain behind the wheel and be prepared to intervene if necessary.
Tesla previously began testing in Nacka municipality after receiving local approval. At the time, the company stated that cooperation between authorities, municipalities, and industry enables technological progress and helps integrate future transport systems into real-world traffic conditions, as noted in an Allt Om Elbil report.
If approved, Jönköping would become the latest Swedish municipality to allow local Full Self-Driving (Supervised) testing.
Tesla’s Swedish testing program is part of the company’s efforts to validate its supervised autonomous driving software in everyday traffic environments. Municipal approvals allow Tesla to gather data in urban settings that include roundabouts, complex intersections, and mixed traffic conditions.
Sweden has become an increasingly active testing ground for Tesla’s driver-assistance software in Europe, with regulatory coordination between local authorities and national agencies enabling structured pilot programs.
Elon Musk
Microsoft partners with Starlink to expand rural internet access worldwide
The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress.
Microsoft has announced a new collaboration with Starlink as part of its expanding digital access strategy, following the company’s claim that it has extended internet connectivity coverage to more than 299 million people worldwide.
The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress, where Microsoft detailed how it surpassed its original goal of bringing internet access to 250 million people by the end of 2025.
In a blog post, Microsoft confirmed that it is now working with Starlink to expand connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions.
“Through our collaboration with Starlink, Microsoft is combining low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity with community-based deployment models and local ecosystem partnerships,” the company wrote.
The partnership is designed to complement Microsoft’s existing work with local internet providers and infrastructure companies across Africa, Latin America, and India, among other areas. Microsoft noted that traditional infrastructure alone cannot meet demand in some regions, making low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity an important addition.
Kenya was cited as an early example. Working with Starlink and local provider Mawingu Networks, Microsoft is supporting connectivity for 450 community hubs in rural and underserved areas. These hubs include farmer cooperatives, aggregation centers, and digital access facilities intended to support agricultural productivity and AI-enabled services.
Microsoft stated that 2.2 billion people globally remain offline, and that connectivity gaps risk widening as AI adoption accelerates.
Starlink’s expanding constellation, now numbering more than 9,700 satellites in orbit, provides near-global coverage, making it one of the few systems capable of delivering broadband to remote regions without relying on terrestrial infrastructure.
Starlink is expected to grow even more in the coming years as well, especially as SpaceX transitions its fleet to Starship, which is capable of carrying significantly larger payloads compared to its current workhorse, the Falcon 9.
Elon Musk
Tesla expands US LFP battery supply with LG Energy Solution deal: report
The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage system (ESS) batteries for Tesla at its Lansing, Michigan facility.
The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.
LG Energy Solution’s Lansing plant, formerly known as Ultium Cells 3, was previously operated as a joint venture with General Motors. LGES acquired GM’s stake in May 2025 and now fully owns the site. With a production capacity of 50 GWh per year, it is one of the company’s largest facilities in North America.
LG Energy Solution is converting part of the Lansing factory to produce LFP batteries for energy storage systems. Equipment orders for the new lines have already been placed, and mass production is reportedly expected to begin in the second half of next year.
Last July, LG Energy Solution disclosed a 5.94 trillion won battery supply agreement running from August 2027 to July 2030. While the company did not name the customer, industry sources pointed to Tesla as the buyer.
Tesla has primarily used CATL’s prismatic batteries for its Megapack systems. The move to source prismatic LFP cells from LG Energy Solution’s U.S. plant could then be seen as part of Tesla’s efforts to bolster its North American supply base for its energy storage business.
For the Lansing conversion, LG Energy Solution reportedly plans to use electrode equipment originally ordered under its Ultium Cells venture with General Motors. Suppliers reportedly include CIS and Hirano Tecseed for electrode systems, TSI for mixing equipment, CK Solution for heat exhaust systems, A-Pro for formation equipment, and Shinjin Mtech for assembly kits.
Tesla currently manufactures energy storage products at facilities in California and Shanghai, though another Megafactory that produces the Megapack is also expected to be built in Texas. As per recent reports, the Texas Megafactory recently advanced with a major property sale.