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Elon Musk says 'right on' to letter asking for new Model S features

If you want to get Tesla CEO Elon Musk's attention, taking out a full-page ad in his local newspaper will apparently do the trick. That's what two self-proclaimed "very highly satisfied" Model S owners did, asking for a few small changes in the popular EV. In response, Musk Tweeted a picture of the ad and wrote, "Ad taken out in Palo Alto Daily [News] by two Model S owners is right. Many of the suggestions will be implemented soon." The ad also appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly. You can see all of the requests by clicking the image above, but we'll mention some of them here. Improved voice-activated phone dialing, better sensors (like blind-spot monitors), redesigned sun visor, automatically closing charging port door and then the big one: Tesla ads. Tesla isn't talking about when the new features will be available, but if any of those items are unlikely in the near future, it's Tesla advertisements. After all, why pay for media attention when a simple Tweet about other people paying for your ad can get tremendous amounts of attention?

Tesla Model X spotted testing in motion for first time

What we've got here appears to be the first spy video of the Tesla Model X testing in the real world – we think. The vehicle's lines match up with the Model X EV prototypes we've seen before, but the car is wearing camo and the video was shot from a distance on a zoomed-in cell phone. Sadly, no one gets out to show off the falcon-wing doors, but we're 99-percent sure this is the highly-anticipated all-electric crossover that's due later this year (especially since the vehicle can be seen better in this Instagram picture, which also says there was a Model S nearby and that the towing vehicle was marked at belonging to Tesla). So, what do we have in the video? There's (understandably) no engine noise and lots of squealing tires to be heard. The driver seems to be testing acceleration and turning maneuvers on an unoccupied airstrip in Alameda, CA, near some docks, and the CUV appears to handle the tests with aplomb. Granted, that may be wishful thinking and conflated with our experience in the Model S, but watch for yourself and tell us what you think.

Watch Wired go hands-on with Tesla Model S 4.0

Our friends at Wired recently got their hands on the latest software release for the Tesla Model S. The 4.0 release adds a few interesting bits of functionality to the EV, including voice control for the navigation and telephone systems as well as Slacker Radio. Tesla employed Google voice-recognition software for the Model S, and Wired says the system is "far easier and more intuitive than most." High praise.
The update also adds another level of customization to the EV's steering wheel controls. The right knob now offers finer audio volume control while the left knob can be configured to handle everything from temperature setting to fan speed or even the opening and closing of the sunroof.
Wired also reports the 17-inch touch screen on the Model S now seems more responsive and that the update includes new graphical displays for the vehicle's range. Other nice tricks include revised throttle response and an adjustment to the vehicle's door handles - now owners need only approach their Model S for the door handles to pop out from their hiding places. You can check out the video below for a closer look.