Tag Archives: Elon

News

Tesla’s Three Upcoming Models And What They Mean For The American Automaker

August 28, 2023 David

Summary

Tesla’s electric vehicles are still selling well due to Elon Musk’s price cuts, despite increasing competition from other manufacturers like BYD.
The upcoming Tesla Cybertruck features a unique design inspired by Blade Runner and has impressive capabilities, such as a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds.
Tesla is planning to launch three new models, including the Roadster 2.0 and an affordable hatchback called the Model 2, which aims to make high-end EVs more accessible to a broader range of buyers.

While the first electric car came in the 19th century, it was Tesla that established a foothold for electric vehicles in our times. The California-based company may have a competitive lineup of sedans and crossover SUV models that run on electricity, but other manufacturers have now caught up. Tesla’s models are still selling like hotcakes, especially due to Elon Musk’s price cuts. However, 2022 saw the Chinese manufacturer BYD beating Tesla in terms of sales figures.

It is worth noting that the Chinese brand’s BEV lineup is not limited to all-electric vehicles and includes hybrid vehicles too. Since hybrids are the natural gateway for consumers holding on to their old-school ICE cars, trucks, and SUVs, it gives the Chinese-based company a genuine advantage over the American-based company that only deals in all-electric versions.

That said, Tesla will launch three new models in the coming years. Granted, they will still not be anything but the all-electric vehicles that you have come to expect from Tesla, but with three new editions to the lineup, they will be able to greatly increase the amount of sales they can push through in a year. These three great additions are the Cybertruck, Roadster 2.0, and the much-discussed, entry-level Tesla, and here’s how each of them will change the game in its respective segment.

Updated on August 27, 2023: Tesla is one of the most common names when electric vehicles are brought up. Since the company is bringing us three more great additions to its lineup, we have decided to refresh and update this piece rather than letting it get lost in the shuffle. Stay tuned for all the most current updates.

Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla’s Cybertruck certainly isn’t news. Announced in 2019, Tesla’s first pick-up truck divided opinions and the consistent delays haven’t helped. The main reason, however, was its design, which literally looks like something an eight-year-old kid would draw if you ask them to draw you a car. According to Elon Musk, the Cybertruck’s design was inspired by Blade Runner and James Bond’s Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Musk actually bought that very car, which in the movie doubled as a submarine. Apparently, water capabilities are another thing the Cybertruck and 007 car have in common since, according to Musk, the Cybertruck can float as a boat for a limited time.

Of course, we can talk about figures like the range of 250 to 500 miles (400 to 800 km) on a single charge, the range-topping, tri-motor setup with 805 horsepower (592 kilowatts) – a quad-motor variant is also, reportedly, in the works – or the 0 to 60 MPH (97 km/h) time of 6.5 to 2.9 seconds, but it is the looks of the EV pick-up truck that are its most unique feature. Even more impressive are the maximum payload of 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) and a towing capacity of up to 14,000 pounds (6.4 tons) for the tri-version, which are expected to be dwarfed by the quad-motor variant.

Tesla Cybertruck Specifications

Motors	Three electric motors
Combined Power	805 horsepower
Combined Torque	1,055 pound-feet
Drivetrain	All-wheel drive
0 to 60 MPH	2.9 seconds
Top Speed	130 MPH
Range	Up to 500 miles

A $69,900 price had been quoted for the tri-motor variant, but that was before Tesla’s price cutting, which means the Tesla Cybertruck pickup truck will be a real bargain compared to the Ford F150 Lightning, which costs between $55,000 and $97,000 depending on the specs.

According to the latest reports, the Tesla Cybertruck’s first production unit has rolled off the assembly lines in Texas. If the model is a good seller, it will prompt others to take a page out of Tesla’s book. Instead of the traditional, body-on-frame structure, the Cybertruck features an aircraft-inspired exoskeleton, which provides space for a larger battery pack. Another unique feature is the body panels, made of 30x, rolled, cold steel. More interestingly, when Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, was asked on Ride the Lightning podcast, if a “Cybercar” with a similar design could happen, he replied, “Possibly”. At this point, we don’t know if Cybertruck’s angular design will spill across the rest of Tesla’s lineup, but even so, the EV truck still smashes the design norms for the entire segment.

Tesla Roadster 2.0

Like the Cybertruck, Tesla’s second-generation Roadster has been delayed. The latest reports indicate production will start sometime in 2023. High-performance EVs are nothing new, but the Tesla Roadster 2.0 promises to be one of the quickest-accelerating, high-performance models and still has plenty of long-range capabilities to send range anxiety into oblivion.

Eventually, when the Roadster 2.0 arrives, it will boast a tri-motor setup good for at least 1,000 horsepower (746 kilowatts). Tesla says the 0 to 60 MPH (97 km/h) sprint is possible in 1.9 seconds, while 100 MPH (161 km/h) blazes by in 4.2 seconds. The most unique feature of the Tesla Roadster 2.0 is, without a doubt, the jet booster, which drops the 0 to 60 MPH (97 km/h) time to a staggering 1.1 seconds. At the same time, Tesla promises a range of 620 miles (1,000 km) and a top speed of over 250 MPH (402 km/h).

Tesla Roadster 2.0 Specifications

Motors	Three electric motors
Combined Power	1,242 horsepower
Combined Torque	7,375 pound-feet
Drivetrain	All-wheel drive
0 to 60 MPH	1.9 seconds
Top Speed	250+ MPH
Range	Up to 620 miles

Very few high-performance EVs boast similar figures as the Roadster 2.0. The Rimac Nevera, for example, makes the sprint to 60 MPH (97 km/h) in 1.85 seconds and gets to 100 MPH (161 km/h) in 4.3 seconds. Judging by these numbers alone, Tesla’s claimed figure of around 1,000 horsepower seems highly underrated, given the Nevera has almost double that. Regardless, the upcoming Tesla Roadster will be the only EV with such high-performance levels offering a more practical, 2+2 layout.

The “Affordable” Tesla Model 2

2019 Tesla Model 3 Hatchback — David Kiss | Topspeed

It’s clear that with the recent price cuts, Tesla’s offerings will become an even bigger bargain compared to other high-end EV manufacturers. Furthermore, the company is working on a new platform to underpin an entry-level Tesla. So far, we know it will likely be called the Model 2 and be a hatchback. It will also have a starting price of no more than $25,000 and will be produced in much more significant quantities than all current Tesla models combined.

Affordable EVs are very few and far between. This is especially true for those with actual performance, but Tesla wants to change that. By taking lessons from the production of previous models, the brand has optimized the production method to boost production output by 40 percent compared to 2022. Moreover, the Biden administration’s GREEN Act provides a tax credit of up to $7,500, meaning the entry-level Tesla could start from under $18,000.

Tesla Model 2 Estimated Specifications

Motors	Single electric motor
Power	283 horsepower
Torque	283 pound-feet
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive
0 to 60 MPH	6.0 seconds
Top Speed	125 MPH
Range	Up to 250 miles

On Tesla Investor’s Day, it was confirmed that the entry-level Tesla will arrive sometime in 2025 and be produced in Tesla’s plant in Monterey, Mexico. It has also been stated by Elon that a plan is still in the works to build a site in India and mass produce what has been dubbed the new Tesla Model 2. This will be the brand’s most important model as it will be the most mass-produced by a large margin and will make Tesla’s offerings available to a much broader spectrum of buyers.

Cars

5 Of The Most Unreliable Used Electric Cars To Avoid

August 27, 2023 David

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, even he thinks the Model X was a mistake. Musk stated in an interview with Business Insider that the Model X shouldn’t have been made and that they should have just modified the Model S instead. The Model X has numerous complex features and difficult-to-build parts that are unnecessary for selling cars.

Some of these features include problematic front gullwing and rear “falcon-wing” doors, a bioweapon air-filtration system, and a fast 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds.

Since its release, the Model X has been the focus of 24 safety recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These recalls cover issues with seat belts, airbags, collision avoidance systems, and autonomous driving systems.

In addition, the Model X’s massive windshield is prone to cracking, and numerous owners have complained about suspension noise due to defective front stabilizer bar bushings.

All these recalls and issues have led to a decrease in the value of used Model X cars in the market. While the original P90D version had a price tag of over $100,000, there are now used examples available for about half that price. However, considering the potential problems that may come with a used Model X, it is advisable for smart buyers to steer clear of its allure.

News, Technology

Elon Musk Announces Controversial Change to Twitter

August 19, 2023 David

Elon Musk has recently made a decision that has sparked strong opposition from Twitter users who find the block feature to be essential. The block feature is widely recognized as an important tool for combating abuse on social media platforms, including Twitter. Contrary to Musk’s viewpoint, blocking a user on Twitter provides comprehensive protection by making the entire profile invisible to the blocked user, which includes tweets, likes, and retweets. In contrast, the “Mute” option only prevents users from seeing tweets.

Interestingly, before taking over Twitter, Musk was a strong advocate for the block feature and frequently used it to block accounts that criticized him. It seems that he never considered using the mute option instead. However, Musk’s stance changed in February 2023 when he unblocked everyone on the platform and encouraged others to do the same.

While the consequences of Musk’s decision to remove the block feature are still uncertain, many users believe it could contribute to the downfall of Twitter. It has also been brought to attention that Musk’s choice may conflict with Apple’s App Store policies, potentially leading to the removal of the Twitter app (now X) from Apple’s platform. Given these circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Musk will proceed with his decision and risk being de-platformed by Apple.

News

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

July 19, 2023 David

Running a car company is not easy. Elon Musk tweeted in March 2021 that the only American car manufacturers not to have ever gone bankrupt among the 1,000s of startups are Ford & Tesla. Times have shown that market forces can take out huge car companies – the 2008 financial crisis nearly crippled the American auto industry, with the big three manufacturers needing government bailouts or loans to survive.

Most of the big automakers have faced the prospect of complete collapse. Fortune has favored some of them, with salvation coming from one or more of the manufacturer’s car models. Unbeknownst to many, some of the world’s top car companies were saved by their SUV offerings. Here are 10 SUVs that saved some of the biggest automakers.

RELATED: History Of The Ford Explorer

10 Nissan Qashqai

In the late 90s, it looked like Nissan wouldn’t survive beyond the turn of the millennium. The company’s fortunes changed when Renault invested $5.4 billion in Nissan, acquiring a 37 percent stake. Given free rein at Nissan to turn the company around, Carlos Ghosn slashed costs, shutting down inefficient factories in Japan, laying off personnel, and restructuring deals with suppliers. The aggressive plan worked, with Nissan regaining profitability fairly rapidly.

To reclaim its 70s glory days, Nissan needed a car to outsell its rivals. An attempt at new generation Almera failed, as Nissan’s hierarchy realized it wouldn’t be as profitable as required nor satisfy customer demands.

Therefore, Nissan debuted an audacious concept, the Qashqai, a blend between a hatchback and a SUV. Despite being affordable, compact, and designed for family use, the Qashqai represented a huge risk for Nissan. However, the Qashqai defied bleak predictions by the media. Primarily manufactured in Sunderland, U.K., the Qashqai became a global sensation: by 2017, Nissan had sold 3.3 million units. The vehicle’s stunning success helped Nissan reestablish itself as one of the world’s leading automakers.

9 Ford Escape

An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape

Unlike its competitors, GM and Chrysler, Ford didn’t need government money to survive the 2008 recession. It borrowed money, sold brands like Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Volvo, and improved its most profitable vehicles, making them more fuel efficient without compromising their capabilities. Despite Ford forgoing investments in crossovers, the Ford Escape unexpectedly proved essential in Ford’s ascent to profitability.

In 2011, the Ford Escape, which had received minimal upgrades since its debut in 2001, was the top-selling SUV in America, with Ford moving over 200,000 units. It ranked second behind the F-series on the list of top-selling Fords. A year later, Ford released the third-generation Escape, which proved even more popular than the second-gen: sales peaked at over 308,000 in 2017. Ford Escape sales have dropped steadily since that high. Nevertheless, the Escape will forever be remembered as an unlikely hero for Ford during one of the company’s lowest ebbs.

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ

In the late 1960s, Jeep was struggling under the stewardship of Kaiser Motors. Its flagship car, the Wagoneer SJ, was either underpowered when purchased with a 4.2-liter engine or too thirsty when sold with a 5.9-liter or 6.6-liter V-8. American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought Jeep in 1970 and, with investment from Renault, set about designing a replacement for the SJ.

Dick Teague and Francois Castaing built the Cherokee XJ, whose impact reverberated across the automotive industry. It was a light, powerful, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly SUV that felt at home off-road and on paved roads. The Cherokee XJ was an overwhelming success, winning favor with automotive media outlets and the American public. The XJ re-established Jeep as a brand worth owning. Chrysler’s then-chairman, Lee Iacocca, bid for and acquired AMC, particularly due to the monumental success of the Cherokee XJ.

7 Aston Martin DBX

Orange 2022 Aston Martin DBX — Aston Martin

A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin has faced extinction numerous times but has always found a way to survive, like a cat with its proverbial nine lives. The company started selling the DBX around the time a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll acquired the company. Stroll’s strategy to make Aston Martin profitable involved charging higher for vehicles and cutting the brand’s debt.

Aston Martin DBX sales would also prove crucial in the company’s revival. The manufacturer’s first SUV is its most popular vehicle. The vehicle accounted for half of Aston Martin’s sales in 2022, a year that saw Aston Martin’s sales rise 26 percent to 1.4 billion. Aston Martin has yet to regain profitability, but the company is optimistic that the plan will pay off. The DBX has played and will keep playing a crucial part in Aston Martin’s resurgence.

6 Bentley Bentayga

A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga

Bentley, a Volkswagen subsidiary, was necessarily in need of ‘saving’ when it launched the Bentayga – it had recovered well from the late 2000s slump. Nevertheless, it needed to sell more vehicles. Therefore, it introduced the Bentley Bentayga, a luxury SUV that would help Bentley break its sales records. The Bentayga would also expose Bentley to a younger demographic.

Within a year, the Bentayga established itself as Bentley’s main draw, significantly outselling the manufacturer’s other offerings. Bentayga sales shielded Bentley from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a 15 percent drop in new car sales in 2020. That year, Bentley delivered over 11,206 vehicles, a two percent increase from 2019, with the Bentayga forming the bulk of those deliveries. In 2022, the Bentayga accounted for 42 percent of Bentley’s sales, helping the manufacturer sell over 15,000 cars in a year for the first time since its founding in 1919.

5 Proton X70

Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>

Dark Grey Proton X70 — Automachi via Wikimedia Commons

Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked

Proton, a Malaysian car company, was barely alive in 2017 when it sold a 49.9 percent stake to Geely. The government had given up trying to save the company. Despite protests from Malaysian nationals that a national brand had been sold to a foreign company, efforts to revive the once-storied brand began. CEO Li Chunrong introduced several cost-cutting measures, and the company began developing the Proton X70 SUV.

The X70 SUV rejuvenated Proton. Cheap yet spacious and technologically up-to-date, the Proton X70 was a big hit. Since 2019, the Proton X70 has occupied the top spot as Malaysia’s best-selling C-segment SUV. X70 sales increased by 13.1 percent from 2021 to 2022. The X70’s high sales inspired the development of other successful Proton SUVs – the X50 and the X90. The X50 was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV in 2022.

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>

Black and white 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander — Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons

Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors

When Chrysler acquired Jeep in the late 1980s, it was strapped for cash and looked to profit from the Cherokee XJ’s impressive sales. In 2008, Chrysler, one of the three biggest automakers in the U.S., faced complete collapse. Despite getting help from the government, Chrysler needed huge sales to claw its way out of trouble. In stepped the Jeep Wrangler JK.

The most successful Jeep Wrangler generation debuted in 2006 with the 2007 model. It outsold the previous-gen 2006 model by nearly 50 percent. It maintained its popularity with the American public until the last one rolled off the production line in 2018 – Jeep sold around 180,000 Wrangler JK’s annually. The Wrangler proved pivotal in Chrysler’s renaissance.

3 Land Rover Discovery

Gray Land Rover Discovery Series 1 — Land Rover

A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I

The most famous Land Rover is arguably the Defender. However, Land Rover owes its success as much to the Defender as the Discovery. The Discovery was the first model that Land Rover developed for the wider public. It was based on the Range Rover, with both vehicles using the same chassis, 4WD system, and suspension.

In many ways, the Discovery was a precursor to the modern crossover. It was advertised as a family car capable of occasional off-roading. It had the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover but was cheaper and more spacious than the upmarket Range. The Discovery was a hit, offering Land Rover the finances to keep building vehicles.

2 Volvo XC90

Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90

Volvo was under Ford ownership when the XC90 debuted in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until eight years later that the XC90 proved crucial to the automaker’s success. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Ford sold Volvo to Geely, which, unlike Ford, allowed Volvo technicians to develop the XC90 from scratch. Volvo worked on the second-generation XC90 for five years.

The Swedish manufacturer released the XC90 in 2015. The resources poured into the vehicle’s development paid off – the motoring world praised its design, powertrain, cost, and safety features. Customers responded by buying the vehicle in droves. The XC90 highlighted Volvo’s pedigree as a carmaker and guaranteed its survival in the car world.

1 Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT With Original Cayenne — Porsche

A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

In the early 1990s, Porsche recorded heavy losses. Looking to capitalize on the rising demand for small sports cars, the German manufacturer introduced the Boxster. The Boxster steadied the ship, offering time for Porsche’s higher-ups to dream up the idea of the Cayenne, a sports SUV. The idea was novel and absolutely brilliant.

The groundbreaking Cayenne was an instant hit. Porsche had expected to sell 25,000 examples annually; the first-generation Cayenne’s annual average sales were just under 35,000. The Cayenne was a masterstroke from Porsche that helped it regain its footing in the car industry. While some claim that the Boxster was the car that kept Porsche afloat, there’s no disputing the Cayenne’s pivotal role in Porsche’s revival.

News

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

July 19, 2023 David

RELATED: History Of The Ford Explorer

10 Nissan Qashqai

9 Ford Escape

An action shot of a 2003 Ford Escape

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

Front three-quarters shot of a blue Jeep Cherokee XJ

7 Aston Martin DBX

A front 3/4 action shot of a 2022 Aston Martin DBX

6 Bentley Bentayga

A front 3/4 shot of a Bentley Bentayga

5 Proton X70

Automachi via Wikimedia Commons””>

Front 3/4 shot of a Proton X70 parked

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

Oshndoc via Wikimedia commons””>

Front 3/4 shot of a 2010 Jeep Wrangler JK Islander parked outdoors

3 Land Rover Discovery

A front 3/4 shot of a Land Rover Discovery Series I

2 Volvo XC90

Front/side profie of a Volvo XC90

1 Porsche Cayenne

A shot of an old Cayenne with the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT

Cars, News

Hacker Claims Tesla Full Self-Driving Has Secret ‘Elon Mode’

June 21, 2023 David

According to a hacker named GreenTheOnly, there may be a secret setting in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system called ‘Elon Mode.’ While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, GreenTheOnly’s observations suggest that the alleged mode has some promising features. They note the absence of frequent reminders while driving for 600 miles in busy traffic and mention progress in detecting debris. However, they also point out that the alleged mode is still a work in progress, experiencing unexpected lane changes and a relatively slow driving speed as issues.

Considering the current state of development, it’s likely that even if Elon Mode is being worked on, it will take some time before it becomes available to FSD drivers, if it ever does. Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to see Tesla addressing the nagging problem that users have complained about as a distraction from the road. However, the concern of random and unprompted lane switches, which poses serious risks for drivers using an already controversial system, is still being addressed. It remains to be seen if Elon Mode will be confirmed and released, but it would be wise to keep it as an internal codename.

Automoto Hub

Tag Archives: Elon

Tesla’s Three Upcoming Models And What They Mean For The American Automaker

Summary

Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck Specifications

Tesla Roadster 2.0

Tesla Roadster 2.0 Specifications

The “Affordable” Tesla Model 2

Tesla Model 2 Estimated Specifications

5 Of The Most Unreliable Used Electric Cars To Avoid

Elon Musk Announces Controversial Change to Twitter

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

10 Nissan Qashqai

9 Ford Escape

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

7 Aston Martin DBX

6 Bentley Bentayga

5 Proton X70

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

3 Land Rover Discovery

2 Volvo XC90

1 Porsche Cayenne

10 SUVs That Saved Some Of The Biggest Automakers From Going Bankrupt

10 Nissan Qashqai

9 Ford Escape

8 Jeep Cherokee XJ

7 Aston Martin DBX

6 Bentley Bentayga

5 Proton X70

4 Jeep Wrangler JK

3 Land Rover Discovery

2 Volvo XC90

1 Porsche Cayenne

Hacker Claims Tesla Full Self-Driving Has Secret ‘Elon Mode’

Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead