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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 tires turning on Stretchla Vanagon EV conversion project

It is one thing to say you are going to Frankenstein a Tesla Model S with a pair of Siamese-twinned Volkswagen Vanagons and quite another to actually start taking your newly-acquired, smashed-up electric sedan apart in an effort to bring it back to life. Otmar Ebenhoech is doing just that, and having no small successes along the way. The Stretchla project, as it is being called, has officially started and our protagonist has put together another bit of video to document his progress and let us know about some of the different challenges he's encountered and conquered. While our original post about this endeavor featured video of the stretched Vanagon's drivetrain removal, this latest installment focuses on the Model S. Otmar received the Tesla in less-than-operable condition. Otmar received the Tesla in less-than-operable condition and has been tackling some of the basic problems one might expect to encounter: lots of error messages and an electrically disconnected battery pack. Without the aid of a manual or technical diagrams, he's removed the battery pack and discovered why it wasn't sending power to the car. Scroll below to watch the ten-minute presentation and celebrate some initial victories. You can also check out the official Stretchla blog for more photos and updates, including the most recent one that discusses how he talked himself into paying (*spoiler alert) $42,000 for a wrecked, non-functional electric car, along with more recent struggles with the steering rack. Hit us up in the comments to let us know what kind of trouble you would get into with a Model S drivetrain of your own. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Tesla Model S getting minor updates for Summer 2014

New colors, a free trunk shelf and, uh, an ionizer. Not mind-blowing stuff, but they are some of the goodies available soon to buyers of the Tesla Model S battery-electric sedan. So say the fine folks at Teslarati. The California-based automaker is offering an Alcantara headliner upgrade for a tidy $1,500 while widening its choice of colors to include a darker metallic grey. Beyond that, there's the case of the trunk "parcel shelf," which was once a $250 add-on but may become standard equipment. Tesla buyers may also have the option of getting an ionizer, which, for those of us that are scientifically challenged, is a feature in which positive and negative ions are emitted to eliminate bacteria from the vehicle. You will be tested on this later. Tesla is adding these features just as it's coming off yet another record quarter for both sales and production. For the three months ended June 30, Tesla delivered 7,579 vehicles while building a record 8,763 cars. Tesla says it expects to deliver 35,000 vehicles in all of 2014, Tesla said late last month, which means the company's quarterly delivery rate should hit about 10,000 by year-end and then 25,000 by the end of 2015. That means a whole lot of positive and negative electrons. And free trunk shelves.