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Former Top Gear host takes a Tesla Model X on a cringe-worthy family road trip for the first time
Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond embarked on a long-distance family road trip in a Tesla Model X, and the experience that he documented via a vlog couldn’t be more entertaining, to say the least. With moments in the video that induce an instant facepalm, the video, for the most part, gives us a good look at what it’s like when an astute petrolhead transitions from a traditional combustion engine vehicle to pure electric.
Let it be known that I’m a devout fan of Hammond and the former Top Gear hosts, having followed their journey to DriveTribe after their decade-long stint on the British popular motoring show ended. And despite their often theatrical takes on what it’s like to drive an electric car, it’s nevertheless a good look at any gap that exists between the combustion engine and electric vehicle industries.
This isn’t the first time Hammond has experienced a Tesla or high-performance electric car for that matter. In 2014, Hammond reviewed the Tesla Model S, calling it a vehicle with mind-blowing acceleration and one that will become “a common sight on the road” in the years to come. However, it is the first time the DriveTribe host has experienced a Tesla in a real-word, everyday driving environment.
“It’s my first step into a new future,” quips Hammond before embarking on his all-electric road trip in a Model X with his wife, Mindy.
The story goes like this: Hammond wanted to see what it’s like to take a Tesla on a long-distance road trip. Hammond borrows a Model X from Tesla and embarks on a 250-mi (404 km) road trip from their home in the southwest of England to the lake district in the northwest. Hammond experiences Supercharging for the first time, both the ups and downs, as compared to filling up at the traditional gas pump. Hammond nearly runs out of range on his roundtrip back home after relying on the vehicle’s displayed range.
“I’m new to the world of electric cars, and I’m suffering with crippling range anxiety,” noted the popular TV host, as his Model X displays a projected 1% of battery state of charge remaining. “If I miss this turn-off,” begins Hammond. “You die,” says Mindy in completing his sentiment.
While many Tesla owners have experienced the benefits of driving electric, especially those in California and regions of North America that have fully embraced electric cars, some parts of Europe have been slower in their adoption of electric cars. Outside of Norway and the Netherlands, where early government incentives spearheaded education efforts and the growth of the electric transportation industry, other countries like Germany have been slow in its transition.
The UK, for its part, has been a big adopter of electric cars and continues to see a steady increase in alternatively fueled vehicles, including both pure and hybrid electric vehicles. Though electric cars might be seen as an unavoidable new aspect of the automotive industry in the country, it’ll only be a matter of time before deeper education combined with a growing fast-charger network bids adieu to Hammond’s range anxiety when he takes his second step into a new future.
Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.
If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.
FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:
- But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
- This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
- As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
- For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States.
This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
— JC Christopher (@JohnChr08117285) January 29, 2025
The convenience of…
FSD user’s tale:
- As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
- During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
- In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous.
- “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
- “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products.
The video:
- Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver.
- The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
- While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
- Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.
Future Robo-cop @Tesla_Optimus
— SOKRISPYMEDIA (@sokrispymedia) January 12, 2025
full video: https://t.co/TXpSRhcP5K pic.twitter.com/YFHZ7siAP7
Cool inside jokes:
- The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it.
- From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
- The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
- The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.
Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?
Cybertruck keys:
- The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card.
- The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key.
- As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.
The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:
- Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
- As per Tesla’s description of the item:
- “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
- In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.
Tesla Cybertruck merch push:
- Being the company’s most eye-catching vehicle, it is no surprise that that Tesla has been releasing quite a lot of merchandise inspired by the all-electric pickup truck.
- These include a $250 levitating Cybertruck model, as well as a $35 Cybertruck wind-up racer, both of which are out of stock.
- Tesla also sells the $35 “CyberMug,” a $40 “CyberStein,” and a $50 “CyberVessel.”
- Other Cybertruck-inspired merchandise are the $60 Cyberwhistle Stealth, and the $50 CyberOpener.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
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