Connect with us

Lifestyle

Tesla Model S ‘Shooting Brake’ wagon spotted Supercharging in the wild

Published

on

Qwest Norfolk, the British aftermarket customizer behind the creation of the world’s first Tesla Model S P90D Shooting Brake, recently posted a series of pictures featuring the unique electric wagon car out in the wild. 

The story of the Tesla Shooting Brake is quite intriguing. According to Qwest, a businessman came up with the concept after going on long-distance trips with his dogs using the electric car. Speaking to an engineering friend, the entrepreneur remarked that his P90D, as spacious as it was, simply did not have enough headroom at the back for his pets. While the Model S P90D has a lot of trunk space, it was far too cramped for two large dogs to stand on when traveling.

It was then that the idea of a Model S Shooting Brake was conceived. Shooting Brakes, after all, traditionally have a lot more headroom at the rear than fastback-style cars. Qwest then took on the challenge of bringing the world’s first Tesla Model S Shooting Brake to life.

The conversion required extensive work that involved crafting and bonding a custom carbon fiber rear body and roof to the Tesla’s aluminum shell. Special glass and a custom tailgate were also added to the vehicle. The redesigned rear of the Model S was also carefully made to blend with the muscular frame of the luxury electric sedan.

What’s particularly impressive about the whole process was the fact that the entire modification, from the removal of the fastback-style rear to the bonding of the custom carbon-fiber body, did not compromise any of its sensors and dropped 26 pounds (12 kg) of weight, while gaining 7.4 cubic feet of space.

 

Qwest Norfolk has only made one Model S Shooting Brake so far, dubbed the Model S P90D-SB, though the firm did not say that it was the only one they intend to build. After all, competition in the aftermarket Model S scene is increasing, as RemetzCar, an auto firm in the Netherlands, announced that it was developing its own version of the Model S Shooting Brake as well.

For now, Qwest has graced its Twitter account with multiple pictures of the Tesla Model S P90D-SB. Apart from showing the electric car at a Supercharger, the British tuner also shared images of the vehicle transporting its owners’ two large dogs. As could be seen in Qwest’s images, both furry pets seem to be enjoying the additional headroom of their new luxury digs.

The Model S P90D-SB is scheduled to be featured at the upcoming 2018 London Motor Show this May.

Simon is a reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday.

Lifestyle

Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

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. 

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.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

on

Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

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.

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.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Tesla releases Cybertruck metal key card—because why not?

Published

on

Credit: Tesla Shop

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:

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Continue Reading