2023 Tesla Model Y Performance Dual Motor All-wheel Drive on 2040-cars

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Production Tesla Model X designed for women, looks 'better' [w/video]

A recent study found that men and women drive their electric vehicles differently. That might help explain why there is a male bias towards Tesla's electric offerings while the more practical Nissan Leaf get the attention of female drivers. Well, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who spoke with investors yesterday during the company's annual shareholder meeting, the upcoming Tesla Model X could shift the paradigm of the gendered EV. "We probably got a little too guy-centric on the S. So, we're hoping to correct that with the X" – Elon Musk Musk didn't get into details, but responding to a question from the audience, Musk said that "we're certainly paying more attention to the needs of women in the Model X. ... We probably got a little too guy-centric on the S. So, we're hoping to correct that with the X." Musk also said that the "production version of the Model X actually looks different from [what we've seen before], it looks better." When we think about the design of the Model X, the first thing that comes to mind are those falcon-wing doors, which Tesla repeatedly promises are sticking around in the production version. Perhaps the feel of opening them is what he meant when he said the design is meant to appeal to women? So in the case of Model X that's just taken a bit longer than we would have liked. In particular, getting the falcon-wing door right is extremely difficult. Things that you maybe wouldn't expect are also very difficult, things like the second row seats are quite a challenge because what we're aiming for with the Model X is that when you open the falcon-wing door, you have the second row seats essentially framed and we want that to feel like a work of art. If you open up the door it should be this amazing experience. I mean, it may sound a bit silly, but it should just feel like "ahh!" [laughs] And then the seat, I mean it's just the seat but we want the seat to be like feel like a work of art like something you could have in a museum. Anyway, that's where we're going for with the Model X, and it's bloody hard. Whatever the case, Model X pre-orders are rolling in. Once the EV arrives in customer driveways some time next year (Musk said he expects volume production to kick in during the second quarter of 2015), we'll have a better idea if it's the soccer moms or the soccer dads who like the AWD-only Model X more. You can see all of Musk's remarks in the video below.

Unplugged Performance reveals Koenigsegg-made carbon fiber parts

There are a number of Tesla models that rival Koenigsegg supercars in acceleration, and now the electrified American cars can have styling parts made by the Swedish supercar company. This is possible thanks to a collaboration between Tesla aftermarket parts company Unplugged Performance. Unplugged Performance makes a variety of parts for Tesla models, from performance items such as suspension and brakes to cosmetic parts like these Koenigsegg pieces. They are all carbon fiber exterior parts produced with the same materials and processes the Swedish car company uses for its own machines. The designs of the parts are from Unplugged, though. Most of them are spoilers for each Tesla model, some for either more downforce or less drag, but there are also special wide front fenders for the Model 3. Pricing varies depending on the product, from $1,745 for many of the spoilers to $8,845 for a pair of Model 3 fenders. The parts are available now, and Unplugged Performance hints at additional Koenigsegg-made parts coming in the future. Related Video:

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla seeks Gigafactory architect, Uber hails carpools

Tesla is looking for an architect to help design its proposed Gigafactory battery manufacturing facility. According to the Palo Alto-based job listing, which is titled "Architect - Gigafactory," the applicant must have, among other qualifications, over five years of experience with "high-tech infrastructure and operational facilities (semiconductor, solar, battery, waste water treatment plants, etc.)." The job also includes being away from home quite a bit, as it the listing states, "This full time role requires the flexibility of traveling when needed (up to 70 percent) and doing whatever it takes to achieve project objectives." Think you've got what it takes? See the listing for yourself, here, or read more at Silicon Valley Business Journal. Tesla has appointed Robyn Denholm of Juniper Networks to its board of directors. Denholm is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Juniper Networks. Denholm replaces Brad Buss as chair of Tesla's Audit Committee and a member of the company's Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees. Buss will remain a member of Tesla's board as he joins SolarCity as CFO. Denholm is Tesla's first female director. Read more at Bloomberg, or in the press release below. Uber, the company behind the now famous ride-hailing app, is introducing its carpooling service, UberPool. The service matches drivers with (hopefully multiple) passengers going to similar destinations, with users paying just a fraction of the cost of a normal taxi, or even an Uber ride. If a rider can't get matched with a driver, they can enjoy a discounted Uber ride. As the company points out in its blog, "At these price points, Uber really is cost-competitive with owning a car, which is a game-changer for consumers." UberPool is currently running a private beta program, which it plans to expand on August 15. Read more in-depth about the UberPool at Forbes, or learn more at Uber's blog. For a few reasons why this new expansion might run afoul of archaic laws (put there to keep entrenched interests in play), check out Engadget. Plug-in hybrids are encouraging an evolution of transmission technology. Companies like Schaeffler and ZF Friedrichshafen are adapting their transmissions to include electric motors within them for use in plug-in hybrids. For example, the electric motor in ZF's eight-speed powers the transmission when the internal combustion engine is shut off.