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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.

Tesla co-founder Ian Wright surprised at company's success

New Zealander Ian Wright was one of the three original founders of Tesla Motors in 2003 and helped pitch Elon Musk on backing the company the following year. Wright's interest was an electric sports car, and he didn't give up on that idea when he left Tesla in 2004; in 2005 he founded Wrightspeed and produced the X1 prototype, an electrified Ariel Atom that slew ICE supercars, but that company folded in 2008. Looking back at his popular creation, he recently told the San Francisco Business Times that although Tesla's fortune has gone, "quite a lot better than I expected it would," he's still "out of sync" with Tesla's aim. You can see his lack of faith in Tesla by the way he sold his stock after the IPO in 2010. Wright still doesn't fully support the position that simply lowering the price of electric cars will turn into mass adoption. "I still think that's not possible," he says. Wrightspeed the electric car maker has become Wrightspeed Powertrains, building drop-in electric propulsion systems for industrial applications like garbage and delivery trucks, and he's already got companies like FedEx trialing his systems. But he doesn't begrudge Tesla's success: "[They've] done vastly better than I expected that they would, so maybe I'm wrong," he says, and, "What Tesla has achieved in terms of changing people's perceptions about electric cars... is beyond my wildest dreams." In the video above, Wright answers five questions put to him by the SF Business Times about his Tesla experience.

Tesla Model S P85D will improve quickness through over-the-air update

Already able to hit 60 miles per hour in about 3.2 seconds, the 691-horsepower Tesla Model S P85D is absolutely no slouch when it comes to acceleration. Of course, one of the great things about owning a Tesla is the possibility of over-the-air updates coming at any time to make the brand's vehicles even more capable. Elon Musk recently announced the latest software improvement on Twitter (embedded below) for the Model S to make the P85D even quicker. The upgrade sheds a tenth of a second off the dual-motor's already impressive acceleration to 60 thanks to an improvement to the inverter algorithm. The tweak affects the single-motor P85 too, but Musk said the effect would not be as significant. We can't wait for the inevitable updated passenger reaction videos once this enhancement tweak goes live. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2015 Tesla Model S P85D: Detroit 2015 View 18 Photos News Source: Twitter [1], [2]Image Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Tesla Green Driving Ownership Electric Performance Sedan