News
Tesla Roadster production car will exceed insane prototype ‘in every way:’ Chief of Design
Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen recently made a rare appearance at owner-enthusiast Ryan McCaffrey’s Ride the Lightning podcast, where he provided several key insights into the electric car maker’s design process from the early days of the Model S to the upcoming next-generation Roadster.
While speaking about Tesla’s “halo” vehicle, von Holzhausen mentioned that the all-electric supercar has been in a process of evolution since it was unveiled. The designer added that these changes will make the production vehicle even more impressive than the already-insane prototype that came out of the Tesla Semi’s trailer nearly two years ago.
“It’s evolving deservedly so; it needs more time. It will be even better than what we’ve unveiled. In every way,” Franz said.
Considering the specs of the next-generation Tesla Roadster that were announced during its unveiling, Franz’s statements are very exciting. The initial specs of the next-gen Roadster, after all, are already bordering on insane, with its 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds, its top speed of over 250 mph, and its range of 620 miles per charge due to its 200 kWh battery.
These specs already place the next-gen Roadster head and shoulders above the competition, while putting the vehicle well into the performance of the auto industry’s most esteemed hypercars. Thus, it is quite difficult to wrap one’s head around the idea that the production version of the all-electric car will be a more extreme vehicle.
For Franz, the Roadster is ultimately a passion project. Describing the moment he drove out of the Tesla Semi’s trailer as a “One More Thing” surprise during the all-electric long-hauler’s unveiling event, Franz stated that the experience was memorable, partly due to how impressive the vehicle was.
“It’s an amazing machine. That car is like no other. I think it showcases the ability of what an electric vehicle can be… Being able to finally show people that — that was a cool moment,” he said.
Inasmuch as the idea of a more extreme next-generation Roadster might seem ludicrous (or is it Plaid?), Tesla actually has a reputation for doing the very same thing. The Model 3, for example, was initially announced to have a 0-60 mph time of “less than 6 seconds” during its unveiling event. Even the vehicle’s “slowest” trim, the Standard Range variant that’s available off-menu, has a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds. That’s a hair faster than the BMW 730d M-Sport.
Franz’s recent comments echo those of CEO Elon Musk’s when he discussed the Roadster in his guest appearance at the Ride the Lightning podcast a few months ago. While speaking about the vehicle then, Musk stated that the next-gen Roadster will reach a level of performance that is almost unfair to gasoline or diesel-powered cars.
“We’re going to do things with the new Roadster that are kind of unfair to other cars. (It’s) crushingly good relative to the next best gasoline sports car,” Musk said.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the next-generation Tesla Roadster will only see a production of about 10,000 units per year. That’s far above the output of niche all-electric hypercar makers such as Rimac, but it’s still very low compared to the annual production of the Model S, X, and Model 3. With this in mind, and with a $200,000 starting price that is on the same ballpark as a moderately-equipped Porsche Taycan Turbo S, there is a pretty good chance that Tesla’s “hardcore smackdown to gasoline-powered cars” will see great demand well into its release.
Ryan McCaffrey’s interview with Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen at the Ride the Lightning podcast could be accessed here.
Elon Musk
Tesla and xAI team up on massive new project
It is the latest move by a Musk company to automate, streamline, and reduce the manual, monotonous, and tedious work currently performed by humans through AI and robotics development. Digital Optimus will be capable of processing and actioning the past five seconds of a real-time computer screen video and keyboard and mouse actions.
Elon Musk teased a massive new project, to be developed jointly by Tesla and xAI, called “Digital Optimus” or “Macrohard,” the first development under Tesla’s investment agreement with xAI.
Musk announced on X that Digital Optimus will “be capable of emulating the function of entire companies.”
Macrohard or Digital Optimus is a joint xAI-Tesla project, coming as part of Tesla’s investment agreement with xAI.
Grok is the master conductor/navigator with deep understanding of the world to direct digital Optimus, which is processing and actioning the past 5 secs of…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2026
It is the latest move by a Musk company to automate, streamline, and reduce the manual, monotonous, and tedious work currently performed by humans through AI and robotics development. Digital Optimus will be capable of processing and actioning the past five seconds of a real-time computer screen video and keyboard and mouse actions.
Essentially, it will be an AI version of a desk worker in many capacities, including accounting, HR tasks, and others.
Musk said:
“Grok is the master conductor/navigator with deep understanding of the world to direct digital Optimus, which is processing and actioning the past 5 secs of real-time computer screen video and keyboard/mouse actions. Grok is like a much more advanced and sophisticated version of turn-by-turn navigation software. You can think of it as Digital Optimus AI being System 1 (instinctive part of the mind) and Grok being System 2. (thinking part of the mind).”
Its key applications would be used for enterprise automation, simulating entire companies, high-volume repetitive tasks, and potentially, future hybrid use with the Optimus robot, which would handle physical tasks, while Digital Optimus would handle the clerical work.
The creation of a digital AI suite like Digital Optimus would help companies save time and money, as well as become more efficient in their operations through massive scalability. However, there will undoubtedly be concerns from people who are skeptical of a fully-integrated AI workhorse like this one.
From an energy consumption perspective and just a general concern for the human workforce, these types of AI projects are polarizing in nature.
However, Digital Optimus would be a great digital counterpart to Tesla’s physical Optimus robot, as it would be a hyper-efficient addition to any company that is looking for more production for less cost.
Musk maintains that there is no other company on Earth that will be able to do this.
Elon Musk
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla China sold 58,599 vehicles wholesale in February, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. The figure includes both domestic deliveries in China and vehicles exported to international markets.
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla’s February wholesale result represents a 91% increase year over year, compared with 30,688 vehicles in February 2025. Month over month, the result was down 15.2% from January, when Tesla China recorded 69,129 wholesale units.
The February total reflects combined sales of the Model 3 and Model Y produced at Gigafactory Shanghai. The facility produces the two vehicles for both domestic sales and exports.
Gigafactory Shanghai continues to serve as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. Data compiled by Tesla watchers shows that 18,485 vehicles were sold domestically in China in January 2026, while exports accounted for 50,644 units during the same period.
Tesla has also been extending financing programs in China as it pushes to strengthen domestic demand. The company recently extended its seven-year ultra-low-interest and five-year interest-free financing programs through March 31, marking the second extension of the promotion this year.
The financing initiative was first introduced on January 6 as a strategy aimed at offsetting higher ownership costs ahead of China’s planned 5% NEV purchase tax in 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to expire at the end of January before being extended to February and then again through the end of the first quarter.
Tesla’s efforts come amid growing competition in China’s EV market. According to data compiled by CNEV Post, Tesla’s 2025 retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, representing a 4.78% year-over-year decline. Part of that decline was linked to the Model Y changeover to its updated variant in early 2025, which temporarily reduced deliveries during the transition period.
News
Tesla Model Y L spotted on transport trucks in Australia
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
Tesla’s upcoming Model Y L has been spotted on transport trucks in Australia. Sightings of the six-seat extended wheelbase Model Y variant have been reported on social media platform X by members of the Australian Tesla community.
One of the sightings was reported along Victoria Parade in Melbourne, and it showed multiple Model Y L vehicles on a transport carrier.
The sighting follows earlier observations by Tesla enthusiasts in Sydney, where a covered vehicle believed to be a Model Y L was spotted at a Supercharger.
The Sydney sighting drew attention after observers noted that the vehicle’s tare weight appeared to match the ADR approval listing for the Model Y L, suggesting it could indeed be the extended wheelbase variant of the electric SUV.
Tesla has previously confirmed that the Model Y L will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2026. The confirmation was reported by techAU following a media release from Tesla Australia and New Zealand.
The Model Y L expands the existing Model Y lineup with seating for six passengers. The vehicle features a longer body compared with the standard Model Y in order to accommodate a spacious second and third row.
Tesla has opted for a 2-2-2 seating configuration instead of a traditional seven-seat layout for the Model Y L. The design includes two individual seats in the middle row to provide easier access to the third row and additional passenger space.
Tesla Australia and New Zealand has also stated that the Model Y L will be covered under the company’s updated warranty structure beginning in 2026.
Tesla has not yet announced pricing or official range figures for the Model Y L in Australia.
Tesla and xAI team up on massive new project
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
