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SEMA-bound Tesla Model X goes from family SUV to carbon fiber showpiece

Leave it to the annual SEMA convention in Las Vegas when it comes to bringing out the craziest and most unique tricked out vehicles this side of the planet. No stranger to pushing the boundaries on converting all-electric Tesla vehicles into something a little more unique, and with a little more performance, is Hawthorne, California-based Tesla tuner – Unplugged Performance.
Unplugged Performance who recently announced a new ‘Refresh’ upgrade that converts ‘Classic’ Tesla Model S to the newer body style, is SEMA-bound with their radical looking Model X decorated in a blood orange wrap and full custom carbon fiber interior. The vehicle is meant to showcase Unplugged’s latest ‘Complete Vehicle Program’ which enables customers to customize every element of the vehicle to their personal tastes.
According to the company, their design philosophy is to accentuate the existing components and body lines that Tesla designers worked tirelessly on. “We try to work with Tesla’s unique design and engineering DNA not against it. Since the Model X borrows heavily from the Model S’s design DNA we felt that we needed to bring the soul of the X to the surface and enhance the modem, high tech and high performance spirit of the vehicle and give it a unique feel in keeping with the unique and revolutionary technology that the X platform boasts.”, says Unplugged.
Beyond the obvious aesthetic updates, Unplugged Performance says they’ve also taken into account performance, both from a range and acceleration perspective. The Model X is fitted with ultra light forged aluminum wheels and Brembo lightweight carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston calipers that the company claims will shed more than 50 pounds of unsprung weight, leading to greater range, acceleration, braking and handling.
“Our aerodynamics are thoughtfully engineered by professional automotive designers and former Boeing and F1 engineers to balance aggression and efficiency. For example the Rear Bumper and Diffuser features ducts to help expel air trapped behind the rear wheels which can help elevate a pesky point of aerodynamic turbulence and the Rear Decklid Spoiler elongates the roofline and leverages a Kamm Effect which are well proven methods of improving aerodynamic efficiency.”, Unplugged tells Teslarati.
The orange Model X outfitted with Unplugged Performance’s newest Model X aero kit, rear decklid spoiler, and a suite of lightweight components, will be showcased alongside Toyo Tires at the Las Vegas convention center between November 1 – 4, 2016.
Body Kits
World’s fastest Tesla Model S Plaid undergoes major changes

You may have seen the formerly wrecked, then gutted 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid that had most of its body cut off and set the quarter mile record back in August, but now, it is a completely different creation dubbed the “Plaidessey.”
YouTube channel BoostedBoiz is making another major change by chopping off what little remained of the Plaid and dropping a 2001 Honda Odyssey body onto what’s left to create the “ultimate sleeper.”
In all fairness, the Odyssey body actually fits pretty well over the Model S, with less than two inches separating the wheelbase and only minor changes needed for the fenders.
One hurdle was the B pillar of the van not lining to where the Model S had its B pillar, but once the front windshield of the Model S was cut off, it made the accessibility into the car much easier.

The “Plaidessey” halfway through the changes (Credit: BoostedBoiz YouTube)
Before this major alteration, they set the Model S Plaid quarter mile world record by running 8.71 seconds down the dragstrip after cutting off the body and adding an aluminum shell to help with aerodynamics.
After setting the world record, they ran into another problem with the suspension getting stuck in low mode and even took it by a couple of Tesla dealerships in Florida to see if they could help with the issue. Unsurprisingly they weren’t able to get much help considering the changes made.
They were eventually able to enlist the help of Electrified Garage to help narrow down their issues and get a replacement part shipped out to fix the suspension.
Check out the transformation on the BoostedBoiz’s channel below!
What do you think of this creation from a 2022 Model S Plaid turned “Cyberkart” and now the “Plaidessey?”
Questions or comments? Shoot me an email at rangle@teslarati.com, or Tweet me @RDAnglePhoto.
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Tesla Model S conversion project births stunning two-door convertible

The Tesla Model S was a subject of a conversion project at Ares’ Design, turning the flagship sedan into a stunning two-door convertible.
The Model S was Tesla’s second car behind the original Roadster from 2008. Since its original release in 2012, Tesla has made several small refinements to the car. One of the most notable is the omittance of the nosecone in favor of a new, more modern design. Tesla implemented this change in 2016, and it has been highly-accepted among the community.
Recently, rumors of a refresh to the Model S design have been circulating within the Tesla community. Because the flagship sedan and subsequent Model X vehicles have not been updated in several years, Tesla may be considering updating the design. While possibilities are endless and everyone has their opinion on what should be done, the folks at Ares Design in Modena, Italy put their own spin on the Model S, ridding it of the rear passenger doors and doing away with the top of the car.
- Credit: Ares Design
- Credit: Ares Design
- Credit: Ares Design
- Credit: Ares Design
- Credit: Ares Design
- Credit: Ares Design
The project started with the removal of the roof and central B-pillars, along with the rear doors. The wheelbase was then shortened to make the two-door design more reasonably aesthetic, and Ares designed their own doors that were fabricated to the specifications of the newly-refined Model S chassis. Structural reinforcements were added as well to ensure the safety of passengers.
Paired with interior upgrades that include new seating and a colorful new steering wheel with matching accents, the Model S from Ares is certainly one of the more interesting revisions to Tesla’s flagship sedan. However, it isn’t an ugly or unruly conversion by any means. However, some enthusiasts may have something to say about the revisions to the Model S’ design, as it was many early Tesla enthusiasts first EV.
Ares has many projects that will fit the taste of nearly every automotive enthusiast on Earth. With projects that span from Tesla to Lamborghini, there are several different routes the design studio has taken over the years to ensure the satisfaction of their customers and fans.
“At Ares, our co-create philosophy allows clients to work side by side with our designers and engineers to create their very own bespoke vehicle, a service that is unique to ARES,” CEO Dany Bahar said in a statement on the company’s website. “This Tesla project is a superb example of this; it was a pure coachbuilding project which we very much enjoy doing and seeing the results of our uncompromising standards.”
What do you think? Leave a comment down below. Got a tip? Email us at tips@teslarati.com or reach out to me at joey@teslarati.com.
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Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3 in Street Spec Beats Legendary McLaren F1 at Tsukuba

A Tesla Model 3 Performance with modifications from EV tuning house Unplugged Performance has achieved an elusive feat. During a run in Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit, a location famed for its twists and turns, the modified all-electric sedan managed to beat the record of a legendary naturally aspirated supercar, the McLaren F1, with an impressive lap time of 1:03.3.
What’s rather interesting is that the Model 3 Performance was actually in its street settings when it was brought to the track, and its driver was a neophyte with electric cars. While the vehicle had a slew of modifications, the Model 3 was not tuned or modified specially for the Tsukuba Circuit. It was even equipped with OEM tires from a Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997), which are good on the track but also great for regular driving.
The Model 3 that was used for the Tsukuba Circuit run was the same car that Unplugged Performance brought to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The vehicle, which belongs to Tesla owner enthusiast Erik Strait and dubbed as the Model 3 Ascension R, was brought over to Japan this January following its showcase at the SEMA 2019 show. The all-electric car was showcased in Japan as a way to demonstrate how classic tuning methods could be applied for high-performance EVs.
It should be noted that its record-breaking lap was not the first time Unplugged Performance’s Model 3 Ascension R was brought to Tsukuba Circuit. After its appearance at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the vehicle was brought to the track, where it came close to beating the McLaren F1’s lap record with a time of 1:04.7. This was just one-tenth of a second slower than the McLaren F1’s record of 1:04.6.
While the McLaren F1 is no longer the world’s fastest supercar today, the vehicle remains one of the most formidable forces of automotive engineering ever created. The car, which saw production between 1992 to 1998, was considered groundbreaking and insane at the same time. In 1998, the F1 took the title as the world’s fastest production car with a speed of 240.1 mph, and it held on to its crown until it was beaten by the Koenigsegg CCR in 2005. Even decades after its release, the McLaren F1 remains the world’s fastest naturally-aspirated production car in the industry.
For Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Shaffer, The Tesla Model 3 Ascension R is a love song of sorts to his background in JDM vehicles. It’s a fast electric car that is very capable on the track, of course, but it is also a proper road car that can be used for everyday driving.