Tesla Space #91: Tesla Master Plan IV

Welcome to the Tesla Space newsletter, our 91^st issue.

Although we’re a little off our regular timing (sorry), we’ve got a lot of exciting can’t-miss updates for you on Tesla this week!

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

• Tesla unveils the Master Plan IV;

• Did we just see the CyberSUV?

• Tesla Model Y Performance debuts in Europe;

• FSD is now live in Australia 🇦🇺 ;

• Franz and Lars visit Jay Leno;

• Robotaxi in Austin now goes on freeways;

…and more, as always. Enjoy!

— Jaan

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X of the week

Elon said on Friday:

Now, about that concise Master Plan 4… read our next section 😂 

PS! If you enjoy these reports and want to support us, consider becoming a Tesla Space Insider — it will also level up your knowledge in all things Tesla, and we’ve got something big coming up.

TESLA NEWS

Tesla released it. Yesterday. The Master Plan IV. See the video and description from this link as well.

It is perhaps concise, as Elon said, in terms of length. Certainly so compared to the Master Plan 3.

It is, however, not concise in anything that would resemble a master plan.

At least this is what I gather. There’s no information that is new in it for us, but maybe that’s just because we are keeping up with everything that little company does. The video is still inspirational.

I believe the key comes down to 1 — bringing AI advances to the physical world and 2 — creating sustainable abundance for all.

“This is sustainable abundance.”
“Growth is infinite.”
“Innovation removes constraints.”
“Technology solves tangible problems.”
“Autonomy must benefit all of humanity.”
“Greater access drives greater growth.”

These are the texts in bold in the article, with different ways how Tesla products and AI fit into all that. Me, who hates all kinds of fluff in writing does not like this.

I love what Tesla has done and also where they are heading, but do read this new Master Plan IV that Tesla just published yesterday and tell me what you think in our feedback poll today.

I have a feeling — or hope rather — that this is just an intro to something more actionable, or even… trackable like the first three plans were.

Anyway, so what is something we can gather from the Master Plan IV?

The comparison between the Master Plans visualized:

I-III:

IV:

And then, there is this little something in the video that they shared:

Is that the… CyberSUV???

The Tesla people around X have been toying with the Cyber SUV thought for a while and it seems that Tesla has made it real, at least in a smaller format in the Design Studio (this was certainly put on the video on purpose, as Tesla often does with its Easter eggs).

This, of course, does not mean it’ll actually ever make it off the production lines.

Then, there was this piece, which I also have no clue about, but it is certainly interesting…

The only comment from Elon on X that I saw about this Master Plan being published was this, initially:

But it seems that Elon saw the feedback and changed his mind:

Anyway, don’t tell anyone, but we actually saw the Master Plan IV already back in October last year at a certain event…

Jay Leno had Franz and Lars visit

They drive a Model S Plaid, and we get, as usual, some small breadcrumbs on Tesla’s future:

This time, we hear Franz talking about a new Tesla design language coming: “We've been working on a lot of future design language in the studio, and it will be emerging soon. I'm super excited about it."

Tesla will also soon release new nickel-based battery cell technology which allows the owners to charge daily to 90% instead of the current 80%. without significantly reducing battery longevity. Lars says they have closed the gap of NMC to LFP by half.

Lars says about the Super Manifold version 2 in the new Tesla Model S Plaid:

"It has an improved thermal conductivity of the manifold, which is now cast aluminum. It used to be forged aluminum. And that allows us to have a more efficient cooling and heating of the entire powertrain system, and therefore improving our overall real world range."

VEHICLES: MODEL Y PERFORMANCE

Tesla released the New Model Y Performance in Europe - it is already in showrooms. Here's what's new in the interior, and specs.

Here are all the notable details:

• Currently available only in Europe (Giga Berlin production);

• Price starts at €62,970 ($73.3k);

• 0-60mph: 3.3s, quicker than the previous MYP by 0.2s;

• Range: 580 km (360 mi) in WLTP, which is 86km (53 mi) more than previous MYP and just 6 km (3.7 mi) less than the Long Range trim (new high-density battery cells);

• Top Speed: 155 mph

• Carbon fiber trim in the door cards & dashboard

• 16’’ first-row QHD Touchscreen (slightly larger than usual 15.4"). Here is the new intial power-up sequence on video

• First-row sport seats with power recline, power tilt, heating, ventilation, thigh extension.

• Adaptive Suspension and “Unique Drive Modes”

• Aluminum brake & accelerator pedals

• Footwell and door pocket ambient lighting;

• 8 exterior cameras (includes a new front facing camera)

• New front + rear fascia & carbon spoiler for better aerodynamics

• Staggered wheel + tire fitment provides better grip and steering

• High-Performance Brakes: Enhanced pedal feel and improved heat management.

Here is a full review by a Tesla geek that many of you might recognize, especially if you’ve been at the Tesla scene for long — Bjørn Nyland, in a 14-minute video.

Other quick news:

• Tesla will soon start offering gamified “Tesla Challenges”, based on the recent decompilation of the Tesla app code.

• A covered smaller Tesla was spotted at Giga Texas crash test facility.

• Our gigacasting friend, Luca from Industry Arsenal, has identified the three subassembly parts of the unboxed manufacturing method for the Cybercab from Joe Tegtmeyer's flyovers:

• Tesla Model Y L deliveries have officially begun in China

• Tesla Energy produced a 20-page whitepaper on Residential Solar in the US. Their key in the intro of their article is that they push for policy reform & industry innovation.

🇦🇺 FSD & ROBOTAXI

Tesla launched FSD Supervised in Australia on Friday, its first RHD market for the technology. It is currently rolling out for HW4 owners and selectively, it seems.

Tesla’s short announcement clip is here (I can’t believe they wrote ‘coming soon’ upside down at first).

There are a lot of videos popping up from local Tesla geeks, so I’m suggesting coverage from: TechAu, Ryanjaycowan, @ludicrousfeed for quality clips. One pretty impressive move can be seen here as well.

Now, we have now absolute confirmation that things do work upside down in Australia.

Because the media there seems to be ... loving it?

The crazy thing to consider is that Australia skipped all testing sessions like in the US, and went from the terrible Autopilot straight to V14, which performs very well. We will see that happen all over the world soon.

A reviewer from Australia put it well:

“Allowing a group of motoring journalists out on public roads in a self-driving car, without a minder or any support beyond a list of emergency phone numbers and a navigation destination, is surely one of the greatest statements of confidence a carmaker has made in recent memory.

And yet, that’s exactly what we did - a two-hour tour of Brisbane and surrounding areas alone with a self-driving Model 3. And, for the main part, it’s staggering how well the system worked.”

Every new Tesla sold in Australia will now come with a 30-day free trial of FSD (Supervised) for customers to try out on public roads.

So now, Australia has joined as the fifth country with FSD (Supervised) availability after Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and China.

Related: Elon shares his recent thinking around LiDAR and radar.

Robotaxi

Tesla robotaxi account writes they've "Increased service area from 91 to 173 sq miles (it expanded again on August 26th). Also increased # of cars available by 50%"
... whatever that 50% means.

Tesla has also started testing autonomous freeway driving with its customer Robotaxis in Austin, currently with a safety monitor in the driver’s seat. Checking the route, it is choosing freeway on purpose to test it:

PS! If you enjoy these reports and want to support us, consider becoming a Tesla Space Insider — it will also level up your knowledge in all things Tesla.