Tesla has big plans for the Cybercab, its all-electric, fully autonomous robotaxi that it plans to start building before 2027. Not only does it expect them to be ferrying around passengers across the United States before the end of the decade, but Elon Musk foresees a world where people could own multiple Cybercabs and manage a fleet of them.

At the car’s unveiled two months ago, one element that really captured the world’s attention was its bold design. Not only is it unlike any other Tesla to come before it, but it’s different from most other four-wheeled vehicles. Of course, that’s if you disregard the VW XL1 from 2013, but that’s another story. To provide us with a glimpse into the design of the Cybercab, Tesla design boss Franz von Holzhausen recently spoke with the Petersen Automotive Museum, where one of the EVs is on display.

Read: Tesla Cybercab Is A $30,000 Robotaxi Without A Steering Wheel Or Pedals

The discussions start at the rear of the car. Just like the Polestar 4, the Cybercab lacks a rear window. Von Holzhausen says that in a self-driving vehicle designed to ferry passengers from A to B, there’s really no need for occupants to see what’s going on behind them. By ditching a rear window, Tesla has also been able to make the storage compartment as large as possible.

For the first time in a Tesla, the Cybercab uses dihedral doors which are usually reserved for high-priced supercars. These doors make it feel like “you’re stepping into the future,” according to Von Holzhausen. The wheels feature solid aero discs aimed to maximizing efficiency. Tesla has also painted strips around the tires in the same shade as discs, making it seem like the wheels are bigger than they really are.

The EV’s interior is even more minimalist than other Tesla models. Dominating the cabin is a large central screen that’ll keep passengers entertained, and there are a pair of seats that look more reminiscent of lounge chairs than traditional car seats.

Whether or not the Cybercab will be a success remains to be seen. It’ll have to sell well, and for regulations concerning self-driving vehicles with no conventional controls like a steering wheel and pedals, which currently limit their permits to 2,500 per year, to change radically. If reports about incoming President Donald Trump’s intentions turn out to be accurate, this may actually happen sooner rather than later, as his transition team has allegedly said that crafting a federal framework for self-driving cars (and likely removing existing restrictions) is a “top priority”.

If there’s one thing America loves, it’s a good tug-of-war between corporate power and government oversight, especially when it involves cutting-edge tech, fiery CEOs, and a whole lot of car crashes. Today, any accident involving an automated driving system must be reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thanks to a Standing General Order issued in June 2021. This rule keeps automakers honest—well, sort of—but now, a newly surfaced document suggests that the Trump administration wants to kill it.

And surprise, surprise: the potential repeal would be a massive win for Elon Musk and Tesla, while also leaving regulators with fewer tools to keep autonomous driving tech in check.

More: See What Happens When Two Cars Hit A Chinese EV At 60KM/H In Triple Crash Test

Reuters reports that it has seen a document that “recommends repealing requirement that companies report automated vehicle crash data.” That’s notable for several reasons, not least of which is one of the requirement’s biggest opponents: Elon Musk. The high-profile CEO, who not only campaigned openly for Donald Trump before the election but also became his largest donor, spending at least $277 million to support him, now stands to benefit in a significant way.

A Rule Tesla Really Hates

Under the current rules, Tesla, like many other companies, must report crashes to the NHTSA under the General Order if they meet two specific criteria. First, the vehicle’s Level 2 autonomous driving system must have been in use within 30 seconds of the accident. Second, the crash must either involve a vulnerable road user (like a pedestrian or cyclist) or result in “a fatality, a vehicle tow-away, an airbag deployment, or any individual being transported to a hospital for medical treatment.”

Musk takes exception to this order for several reasons. To be fair, the NHTSA itself even outlines some of the potential issues with the order on its website. For instance, car companies can only report the accidents that they’re aware of—which isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.

More: Tesla’s Sub-$30K Model Q And 2025 Product Plans

“For example, some entities may have access to detailed vehicle and crash data immediately after a crash, because the vehicles supply instantaneous telematics, while others may only learn of crashes from consumer complaints submitted days or weeks afterwards and which may include limited crash information,” says NHTSA.

Reuters points out that its analysis of the NHTSA crash data shows Tesla accounted for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to the agency through Oct. 15. It’s plausible that Tesla not only reports more incidents but also that the statistics look tilted against the brand because so many of its cars have Level 2 driving technology and owners use it more.

More: Tesla Shares Soar By 69%, As Musk Becomes First Person To Top $400 Billion Net Worth

Moreover, Bryant Walker Smith, a law professor in the University of South Carolina who focuses on autonomous driving, said Tesla collects real-time crash data that other automakers don’t and, as a result, probably reports a “far greater proportion of their incidents” than its rivals.

Did Tesla Wait This Out? Probably.

To that end, Reuters says a source claims that Tesla executives have wanted to squash the crash reporting for years. The team evidently decided that the only solution was to wait until President Biden, whose administration was supportive of the program, was out of office.

In the meantime, stay tuned—because if this unfolds the way it seems, you’ll probably be hearing about it next time someone’s Tesla decides to “assist” them into a ditch.

The future of autonomous driving is edging closer, but Tesla’s latest plans reveal it may not be as driverless as we’ve been led to believe—at least for now. On December 5, Deutsche Bank hosted an Autonomous Driving Day in New York City, featuring Tesla executive Travis Axelrod.

A private report from the event reveals several details about Tesla’s robotaxi plans for 2025. Perhaps most notably, Tesla envisions using a remote teleoperator as an initial safety measure. That’s right—these “robotaxis” will have a human on standby as a safety backup to take control if needed.

More: Tesla’s Sub-$30K Model Q And 2025 Product Plans: Key Insights From The Deutsche Bank Report

Elon Musk said earlier this year that Tesla would begin testing of Level 5 autonomous robotaxis in 2025. Now, we know more about that plan based on documents from the Deutsche Bank meeting reviewed by Carscoops. According to that report, “Tesla believes it would be reasonable to assume some type of teleoperator would be needed at least initially for safety/redundancy purposes.”

A Practical Reality Check

No doubt, the launch of any robotaxi inevitably demands significant safety considerations. Despite extensive efforts, even geo-fenced Level 5 robotaxis have been involved in dangerous accidents. Having a human remote operator could increase safety but Tesla is coy on the details. For instance, we don’t know how much work the teleoperator will do in the car. We don’t know how much control they’ll have, and we don’t know how long Tesla plans to use them after the launch of robotaxi rides. 

In addition, Tesla reiterated that these robotaxis will be based on existing Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Whether that means brand-new models or cars returned from leases is unclear (because, let’s be honest, who’s going to pay the absurdly high buyouts Tesla is proposing?). That means in theory, one could be giving up control of their very own vehicle to a Tesla employee during robotaxi rides. Notably, the meeting notes do provide a little more insight into the rollout. 

First, it tells us that these will be paid rides, so don’t expect to go from A to B without throwing some cash at Tesla. Second, it says that the initial roll-out will consist of company-owned vehicles. The automaker will then “eventually dynamically adjust supply based on customer demand/traffic patterns.”

Users will hail a ride via an internally developed ride-share application which, as the report brings out, will enable Tesla to control the “value chain.” Essentially, Tesla gets about as much control (and data) here, from the start of the hailing process to drop off, as it could want. 

Regulatory Hurdles Ahead

Finally, the report also clarifies something else that seems obvious. “Tesla views regulation as the biggest headwind to broad deployment of robotaxi, which the company hopes will be adjusted at the federal level through updating of rules at NHTSA.”

It’s no secret that the NHTSA currently has very strict regulations when it comes to robotaxis in the USA. If those rules don’t change it won’t matter how fast Tesla develops true self-driving because the law doesn’t allow for Tesla to launch a giant fleet. It could, at most, deploy 2,500 cars per year under current rules. 

Whether or not all this comes to pass is about as clear as mud right now though. We’ll know by the start of 2026 if Tesla can hit these targets. Of course, that’s the year it plans on beginning production of its Cybercab, another big maybe in the brand’s future. 

Driving is an inherently dangerous task, but several modern tech features are supposed to increase safety. According to one family in California, one such tool, Tesla’s Autopilot, is actually to blame for the death of their loved one. He crashed into a parked fire truck around 4 a.m. on February 18, 2023, and didn’t survive. 

Carscoops covered the crash when it first happened. At the time, it was unclear whether or not the driver were using any semi-autonomous driving features. Now, we know that the driver, Genesis Giovanni Mendoza Martinez, 31, had engaged Autopilot when he crashed into the fire truck. 

More: Rogue Tesla Smashes Into Multiple Cars Before Plunging Off Parking Deck

According to the Independent, the complaint against Tesla on behalf of the Mendoza family says that Giovanni was using Autopilot for 12 minutes prior to the crash. Data reportedly shows that he “generally maintained contact with the steering wheel until the time of the crash.” Why he didn’t see the flashing emergency lights of the truck and slow down or move over is unclear. 

In any case, the complaint says that Autopilot itself is flawed and that Tesla “undertook a widespread campaign to conceal thousands of consumer reports about problems with [its] ‘Autopilot’ feature, including crashes, unintended braking, and unintended acceleration.” For Tesla’s part, it’s responded the way it has with so many cases like this. It argues that the crash and its results “were caused by misuse or improper maintenance of the subject product in a manner not reasonably foreseeable to Tesla.”

Slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles. Truck 1 was struck by a Tesla while blocking I-680 lanes from a previous accident. Driver pronounced dead on-scene; passenger was extricated & transported to hospital. Four firefighters also transported for evaluation. pic.twitter.com/YCGn8We1bK

— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) February 18, 2023

There’s no question that this entire situation is sad. We all make mistakes and sometimes that includes misunderstanding what a product is or isn’t capable of. Tesla, no doubt, could make it more clear that Autopilot and FSD don’t actually provide genuine Level 5 autonomy – perhaps starting with their names, which may mislead consumers into thinking the cars can actually drive themselves without any human interference.

This seems to be the case here, according to the lawsuit: “Not only was he aware that the technology itself was called ‘Autopilot,’ he saw, heard, and/or read many of Tesla or Musk’s deceptive claims on Twitter, Tesla’s official blog, or in the news media,” the complaint states. “Giovanni believed those claims were true, and thus believed the ‘Autopilot’ feature with the ‘full self driving’ upgrade was safer than a human driver, and could be trusted to safely navigate public highways autonomously.”

At the same time, it seems that previous legal victories for the automaker make one thing clear: ultimately, the driver is responsible for always maintaining control of the vehicle. 

As we pointed out in our original coverage, countless such accidents happen every year involving all kinds of vehicles, not just Teslas. It’s why the NHTSA has created campaigns like “Slow Down, Move Over” to remind drivers what they should do when they encounter an emergency vehicle.

Image Credit: Contra Costa FD

Update: Becky Peterson, a journalist from the Wall Street Journal, says she’s acquired a copy of the Deutsche Bank report from the Autonomous Day conference that took place in NYC on December 5. The report confirms many of the points mentioned in the Chinese media, including that Travis Axelrod met with Deutsche Bank during the conference.

Peterson outlines five key points from the report, including that Deutsche Bank refers to the “new Tesla model” as the “Model Q.” The report also mentions that the EV is expected to launch in the first half of 2025, priced under $30,000 with federal tax credits or less than $38,000 without, and built on Tesla’s existing platforms. However, it’s unclear from her tweet whether these statements are Axelrod’s own words or Deutsche Bank’s assessment.

In another tweet, Peterson pointed out that the report makes no mention of “Redwood, the internal code name for a mass market vehicle, built on a new platform, which Musk paused earlier this year” adding that “It also doesn’t say anything about the size or cost, or how it might differ from a Model 3”.

We’ve reached out to Peterson and will update this story if we hear more.

I got a copy of the Deutsche Bank report.

Here's what it does say:

1. @travisraxelrod met with DB for its Autonomous Driving Day on December 5 in NYC.
2. DB describes "the new Tesla model" which it calls "Model Q".
3. DB says it will launch in the first half of 2025, and…

— Becky Peterson (@beckpeterson) December 9, 2024

Original story follows below.

If a report coming out of China, citing statements from a Deutsche Bank conference and Tesla’s VP of Investor Relations, is to be believed—and that’s a big if until there’s official confirmation or firsthand verification, Tesla is allegedly gearing up to launch a new EV called the Model Q next year, priced at just $30,000.

Or at least that’s the gist of a story currently doing the rounds in the Chinese media. The report claims that Travis Axelrod, Tesla’s head of investor relations, confirmed the existence and impending arrival of the new entry-level car during a Deutsche Bank Autonomous Driving Day conference.

Related: Will A $25K Model 2 Small Crossover Hit The Spot For EV Buyers?

The story appears to have originated with Wall Street CN, which claims Axelrod said the baby Tesla will debut in the first half of 2025 prices at $37,500. But if returning president, Donald Trump, opts not to trash the current EV tax credit system the transaction price could drop to just $30k.

And that’s not the only secret car Tesla has in store for us next year, according to the same report. It claims the automaker will also launch other new models to expand its market size in a bid to hit a 25-30 percent growth target. One of those additional EVs could be a long-wheelbase, three-row Model Y conceived primarily with China in mind, but which could also work well in other countries and help plug the huge gap between the Y and X SUVs. The Model Y is also scheduled for a facelift in 2025.

Tesla warned however, that rolling out new product would inevitably lead to a temporary drop in profitability, Chinese media says. Other news supposedly coming out of the conference includes Tesla’s affirmation that it would launch a self-driving taxi service in California and Texas in 2025 using Model 3 and Y vehicles ahead of the launch of the company’s real robotaxi, the Cybercab, in 2026. Tesla will eventually cut the cost of Cybercab production to $30k per unit, the report claims.

We reached out to Travis Axelrod, Tesla’s Investor Relations team, as well as Deutsche Bank’s North American and Chinese divisions for comment, but have yet to hear back from anyone, so for now you probably ought to take the news with a pinch of salt. But if it’s true, legacy carmakers are going to have a nightmare on their hands trying to compete.

Note: The images in this story are digital renders by Francois Hubert/SB-Medien of how a new small Tesla crossover could look, and are not endorsed by Tesla.

Illustrations Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for Carscoops

A man in Portland is seeking $745,000 after his car was T-boned by a Tesla that was allegedly on self-driving mode and ran a stop sign on November 25, 2023. The incident is now spotlighting the contentious debate around the reliability of autonomous vehicle technology and the role of driver responsibility when using it.

According to the lawsuit seen by Oregon Live, while driving through the intersection of Oregon 212 and Southeast Sunnyside Road, Michael Ward’s 2021 Hyundai was hit by the Tesla, even though Ward was moving with the flow of traffic and had the right-of-way. The crash caused significant injuries, leaving Ward with facial and spinal fractures, along with extensive dental damage.

He has filed a lawsuit against the driver of the Tesla, Kgoc Phuong Anh Dinh, accusing her of negligence by “unreasonably relying upon autonomous vehicle technology.”

More: US Govt Investigating Tesla’s Full-Self Driving After Four Crashes, One Fatal

Ward’s Hyundai was totaled in the crash, and he was transported to OHSU Hospital for treatment of his injuries. In the lawsuit, he is seeking $100,000 to cover past and future medical expenses, $40,000 in lost income, $5,000 for personal property damaged in the crash, and a substantial $600,000 for pain and suffering.

Despite the Tesla allegedly being in self-driving mode, the carmaker is not named as a defendant in the case. Tesla explicitly states in its guidelines that drivers must remain alert and ready to take control when using Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD) features, a point that complicates cases like this one.

Other Tesla Self-Driving Lawsuits in Oregon

Oregon Live notes that other self-driving-related lawsuits have been filed across the state. Earlier this year, a separate lawsuit was filed by another Oregon man after his Tesla Model 3, allegedly operating in Full Self-Driving mode, steered itself into a curb and damaged one of its wheels.

He sued Tesla for the cost of a replacement wheel, $713, and sought reimbursement for the $6,000 he had paid to purchase the FSD system. While the court ruled that Tesla must pay for the damaged wheel, it declined to order the company to refund the cost of the software.

In 2021, a man sued a Tesla driver and the car manufacturer after the car apparently switched into self-driving mode and slammed into him. The man had sought $342,000. The case was ultimately settled for an undisclosed amount, soon after it was revealed the insurance company for the Tesla had disposed of or lost the wrecked vehicle before it could be analyzed.

Related: Tesla Allegedly In “Self-Drive” Mode Slams Into Parked Police Car

In the same year, another Tesla owner filed a $250,000 lawsuit against Tesla alleging that his Model S, which was in Autopilot mode, misread road conditions and made a 180-degree turn, slamming into a barrier after it hydroplaned on standing water. The man, Ranjan Lamichhane, said that he stopped pursuing damages after Tesla managed to boot his lawsuit out of federal court and sent him into arbitration, where he felt out-powered.

Concept vehicles are often wild, playful, and just a bit mad. At the same time, very few reach the level of extravagance found in the Cadillac OpenSpace motorhome. Two years after it first teased us with vague details, General Motors Design has decided it’s time to peel back the digital layers on this concept. So, let’s dig into what the OpenSpace is all about, why GM might be bringing it back into the spotlight, and what it could be hinting at for the future of luxury mobility.

The OpenSpace was initially teased as the largest in a quartet of Cadillac autonomous concepts, which included the futuristic InnerSpace coupe, the single-seater PersonalSpace flying car and the six-seater SocialSpace van.

Cadillac envisions the OpenSpace with Level 5 driving autonomy, meaning it could theoretically travel from point A to point B with zero input or attention from a driver. And once it arrives? That’s where things get interesting, promising an experience that’s anything but ordinary.

Read: If You Could Have One Cadillac Concept Produced, Which Would It Be?

“Once at rest, the vehicle expands its central living spaces and access to the rooftop deck is enabled, allowing the passengers to enjoy peerless views and experiences provided by Cadillac’s exclusive resort collaborations,” the automaker says. This seems like an inevitable future albeit one that is a long way off. Once vehicles can drive themselves reliably, why wouldn’t buyers want a super-luxurious motorhome like this one?

Beyond just delivering its occupants to their destination, this recreational EV is designed to subtly blend into its surroundings. Cadillac gave it a “reflective exterior that softens the silhouette of the vehicle and allows the landscape of your destination to blend seamlessly with the Interior spaces.” No doubt, a vehicle like this could stick out like a sore thumb in some spaces. Thoughtful attention to helping it blend in is a nice touch.

More: Cadillac InnerSpace Concept Is A Luxurious, Autonomous Coupe

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It’s worth noting that, at this stage, the OpenSpace remains little more than a series of conceptual drawings. Level 5 autonomous driving is still years—perhaps even decades—away from reality in everyday production vehicles. And integrating it into something like this, with its sheer size and lavish features, feels more like designing a self-driving tiny house than a car. While this approach might not thrill traditional car enthusiasts, when fully autonomous vehicles eventually arrive, this would be a very posh way to get around.

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There were plenty of talking points after the Tesla Cybercab’s glitzy unveiling a couple of weeks ago and one of the more interesting topics relates to how the carmaker plans to charge the all-electric robotaxi.

Take a look at the photos published by Tesla of the self-driving two-seater and you’ll notice it does not have a charge port. That’s not an accident. The Cybercab will be produced at scale without a charging port, meaning it cannot use the carmaker’s expansive network of Superchargers. Instead, the Cybercab can only be charged wirelessly.

Read: Musk’s Cybercab Dreams Could Hit 2,500-Unit Limit Under US Rules

During the car’s presentation, Tesla teased it using inductive charging and recently shared a clip on X that shows it charging at 25 kW. That’s impressive for inductive charging and is much quicker than the standard 11.5 kWh provided by Tesla’s Wall Connector. Of course, it is much slower than most public chargers, including Tesla’s V4 Superchargers, which can charge at up to 350 kW.

Responding to this clip, technology reviewer Marques Brownlee indicated there’s no way Tesla can make an inductive charging system that isn’t inefficient, noting that “wireless charging has a massive heat waste,” and suggesting that a “really noble goal for something like this would be maybe 75% efficiency.” Tesla responded to this claim, stating it’s achieved efficiency that “is well above 90%”, while Elon Musk claimed that “there is no meaningful efficiency difference between inductive and conductive charging if the system is designed right.”

Hold up, it doesn't even touch the car? Genuinely asking, is there a way this *couldn't* be inefficient? https://t.co/PrfDNZDg0v

— Christian Selig (@ChristianSelig) October 18, 2024

Efficiency is well above 90%

— Tesla (@Tesla) October 19, 2024

If true, that would be quite an impressive feat. Last year, Tesla quietly purchased a German company specializing in wireless charging technologies for a reported $76 million. That company, Wiferion, had claimed to have developed a wireless charging solution that achieves 93% efficiency.

Although the Cybercab may achieve a breakthrough in wireless charging, not adding a plug seems shortsighted. Tesla wants to establish a huge fleet of robotaxis but none of them can use existing Superchargers, nor any other public charging network. This means Tesla will need to either update its Superchargers to include wireless charging pads specifically for the Cybercab, or the onus will be placed on owners to charge their robotaxis at home with a charging pad.

There is no meaningful efficiency difference between inductive and conductive charging if the system is designed right.

There is always an inductor somewhere in the charge circuit!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 19, 2024

When unveiling the Tesla Cybercab late last week, Elon Musk promised that it would be produced in “very high” numbers. Bold words, but there are still plenty of pesky regulatory hurdles for Tesla to clear before this fully autonomous vehicle even sniffs a production line—let alone starts rolling out in serious volume.

Like Tesla’s other models, the Cybercab relies on the company’s vision-only autonomous driving tech, but with a twist: no steering wheel, no pedals, no controls whatsoever. While this makes sense for a vehicle that can drive itself 100% of the time without any human intervention, actually getting approval to roll out such a vehicle onto public roads isn’t easy.

Read: Tesla Cybercab Is A $30,000 Robotaxi Without A Steering Wheel Or Pedals

For any automaker looking to launch a vehicle without standard driving controls must be granted permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to do so. GM attempted to get an exemption to roll out a robotaxi without normal controls back in 2022 but, after two years, abandoned the request after it went unanswered.

If Tesla does manage to get the NHTSA’s approval to introduce the Cybercab, current regulations would only permit it to deploy 2,500 vehicles per year without a steering wheel and pedals, Bloomberg reports. That would not be enough to achieve Musk’s aim of operating a huge fleet of robotaxis across the United States. According to University of South Carolina law professor and autonomous vehicle expert, Bryant Walker, “exemptions aren’t a viable route for a mass manufacturer,” unless “Congress increases this limit.”

Musk insists Tesla will start building the Cybercab before 2027, though they haven’t even filed for the necessary NHTSA exemption yet. Maybe they’re holding off for dramatic effect, or maybe it’s just business as usual at Tesla, where deadlines seem more like suggestions.

On top of all this, Tesla has state-level regulations to contend with. Tesla doesn’t have a driverless testing or deployment permit in California and is likely years away from obtaining one. It will also need to provide the state with comprehensive testing data. It might be a bit easier to get the Cybercab on the road in states like Texas, but even there, Tesla faces the uphill battle of proving that this tech is ready for prime time.

When Tesla unveiled its futuristic Cybercab, many sharp-eyed observers were quick to spot an unexpected resemblance to an obscure eco-marvel from the past—the VW XL1. While Tesla’s latest creation wants to revolutionize urban mobility with full autonomy and mass-market ambitions, the XL1 was a hyper-efficient, ultra-limited experiment in fuel-saving technology. Despite their vastly different missions, the visual similarities between the two are hard to overlook.

Tesla’s Cybercab—or robotaxi, as it’s often called—is a fully electric, fully self-driving vehicle. Elon Musk has set his sights on starting production by 2027, with a projected price tag of $30,000. What sets the Cybercab apart is that it completely eliminates the steering wheel and pedals altogether, depending entirely on AI and a web of sensors to shuttle passengers to their destinations without human intervention.

More: VW’s 262-MPG XL1 Was The Perfect Skinflint’s Supercar, Here’s One For Sale And What It’s Like To Drive

Meanwhile, the VW XL1, a true unicorn in the automotive world, had a production run of just 250 units, all reserved for European buyers, with an eye-watering price tag of €111,000 (around $121,500 today). First introduced as a concept in 2002 that was refined in 2009 and 2011, the XL1 finally hit the market in 2013. Its headline feature? A mind-bending fuel consumption of just 0.9 liters per 100 km, or about 260 mpg. VW achieved this through a 0.8-liter, two-cylinder, plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain producing 68 hp, combined with cutting-edge lightweight materials and wind-cheating aerodynamics.

So, how did two seemingly unrelated vehicles—one an affordable robotaxi, the other an ultra-expensive eco-cruiser—end up looking like long-lost cousins? The most obvious explanation is their shared goal of aerodynamic efficiency, along with a desire to create something futuristic and desirable. Let’s break down the five key similarities that tie the Tesla Cybercab and VW XL1 together.

Silhouette

We start with the most obvious similarity, which is the overall shape. This is largely dictated by aerodynamics, as the droplet is the natural form with the least drag. The short nose and sloping roofline are common features among several concepts and production vehicles, but the effect is accentuated by the similar greenhouse design.

However, the XL1 pushes aerodynamics even further with its extended tail and rear wheel covers, designed to slice through the air with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Cybercab opts for larger disc wheels and a rising beltline that gives it a more approachable, less aggressive look.

Butterfly Doors

Another key feature of the Tesla Cybercab and the VW XL1 is their butterfly doors, contributing to their futuristic stance. Besides the cool factor, the design makes it easier for occupants to enter and exit the cabin, especially in low-slung vehicles. This is why you usually come across unconventional door mechanisms on supercars and hypercars rather than SUVs, with the notable exception of the Tesla Model X.

The XL1 takes this one step further by incorporating portions of the roof into the door design, necessary given the car’s ultra-low height of just 1,153 mm (45.4 inches). While Tesla hasn’t released detailed specs on the Cybercab’s height, prototypes appear significantly taller than the XL1, making this door style more about form than function.

No Rear Windscreen

Lighting Units

The omission of a rear windscreen is not as uncommon in 2024 as it was in 2013, but it’s another shared trait between the Tesla and the VW, contributing to the monolithic appearance of the rear deck. In the XL1, the lack of rear glass likely served weight and aerodynamic goals. For the Cybercab, fully autonomous driving eliminates the need for rear visibility altogether.

Interestingly, other new models, like the Avatr 12 and the Polestar 4, have also ditched the rear windscreen, marking a trend in modern automotive design that favors tech-driven solutions over traditional visibility.

This one might be a bit of a stretch, but both the Cybercab and XL1 boast full-width light bars on both ends that give them an undeniably sci-fi aesthetic, especially at night. While each model has its own distinct lighting signature, the Cybercab seems to take inspiration from Tesla’s notorious Cybertruck, blending angular, futuristic elements with clean, continuous light strips at both the front and rear.

Two-Seater Cabin

Finally, both models have a two-seater interior layout, despite not being geared towards high-performance driving. The Tesla Cybercab has the unique trait of omitting the driving controls (no steering wheel or pedals), while the VW XL1 features a notable offset between the seats, making the maximum use of its narrow cabin.

A clear advantage the Cybercab has over the tiny XL1 is cargo space. Thanks to its fully electric powertrain, Tesla had more room to play with packaging, giving the Cybercab a larger trunk. The XL1, on the other hand, had to make do with a rear-mounted 0.8-liter turbodiesel engine as part of its hybrid setup, limiting practicality.

And that concludes our list with the similarities between the fully electric robotaxi (Tesla Cybercab) and the highly efficient automotive oddity (VW XL1). Do you think that Tesla designers intentionally copied (or at least were influenced by) the Volkswagen, or are these features simply the byproduct of engineering for maximum efficiency and usability?

A few years ago, Tesla was being fiercely criticized for rolling out driver-assistance technologies without any effective driver-monitoring system. It didn’t take long before videos emerged of drivers sleeping behind the wheel, putting all their faith in the car’s onboard systems and sensors.

Tesla eventually introduced driver monitoring, but based on a recent clip that surfaced on Reddit, it doesn’t stop some from behaving irresponsibly.

The video, filmed on a highway somewhere in the States, shows a red Tesla Model 3 cruising along with a sunshield completely blocking the windshield. It seems as if the driver decided it would be a good idea to have a rest and let the car do all of the driving.

Watch: Video Shows Tesla Mistaking Teddy Bear For A Driver And Hitting A (Fake) Kid

In the clip, the Model 3 can be seen driving in the center of the highway and at one stage, approaches a slower-moving Toyota Prius and automatically changes lanes. It then cruises past the occupants of the car filming and it looks as though the owner has stuck old newspaper to the side windows to block out as much of the sun as possible. We don’t actually get a chance to see the driver.

It’s hard to know how the driver has managed to trick the car’s monitoring system. There are devices sold online that clip onto the steering wheel and apply enough torque to it, allowing for a ‘hands-free’ experience.

However, all Model 3s are fitted with a cabin camera that’s used to determine driver inattentiveness and provide audible warnings to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road when Autopilot is engaged. In theory, this should be enough to prevent drivers from doing things as dangerous as this.

Video Reddit

The motorists who filmed this Tesla Model 3 noted the car’s license plate and, hopefully, alerted the appropriate authorities to what they’d seen. While Tesla’s marketing of Autopilot and its Full-Self Driving systems has long been controversial, owners need to remember that even with these technologies enabled, they must remain attentive at all times.

Image credit: Slimanna/reddit

💾

So, Tesla finally did it. After years of wild speculation, Twitter teasers, and a few timeline “adjustments” from Elon, the company has officially pulled the covers off its long-rumored robotaxi. The vehicle, officially named the Cybercab, draws design inspiration from the Cybertruck, and unlike many other robotaxi prototypes unveiled over the past few years, this Tesla will actually be available for private consumers to buy.

Read: Rimac’s Verne Robotaxi Is A Sporty 2-Seat Coupe With Sliding Doors And No Steering Wheel Or Wipers

The Cybercab is packed with Tesla’s latest autonomous driving tech, and about 20 units were on display at the event, giving attendees a chance to experience test rides. Tesla’s eccentric billionaire boss, Elon Musk, claimed production will kick off in 2026, though during the live unveiling, he was quick to admit he tends to be “optimistic” with timelines. To cover his bases, Musk clarified that production will begin before 2027, and it should be available to purchase for less than $30,000.

Steering-Wheel-Free Future?

Since the Cybercab has been conceived without a steering wheel or pedals, Tesla won’t be able to start manufacturing or selling it to customers without securing regulatory approval first. As expected of any new Tesla model, the interior is extremely minimalist, offering seating for two and featuring a large central infotainment screen, seemingly lifted straight out of a Model 3 or Model Y.

Butterfly Doors

Like the electric Cybertruck, the Cybercab’s exterior is dominated by a single full-width LED light bar across the front end that gives it a futuristic look. You’ll also spot some familiar Tesla shapes and lines on the outside, including sharp creases running over the hood and the pronounced rear shoulders that echo the Model Y. However, there’s one standout feature not seen in any other Tesla model: the supercar-inspired butterfly doors. In theory, they should help with ingress and egress, but we’ll see how practical that turns out in a Whole Foods parking lot.

Tesla’s obsession with aerodynamics is alive and well, with solid aero covers on the wheels to help squeeze out a few more miles of range. At the rear, you’ll find a super-thin light bar that, unsurprisingly, takes design cues straight from the Cybertruck playbook. And since this car is built for full autonomy, there’s no need for outdated relics like wing mirrors or even a rear window—who needs to look back when your car drives itself?

The company is still playing coy when it comes to the Cybercab’s powertrain. No specific details have been revealed about how far it can go on a single charge, which seems like a pretty critical piece of info for a robotaxi designed to be in constant, all-day use.

Bonus Round: Tesla Robovan

Just when everyone thought it was over, Musk hit us with a curveball—a surprise second reveal called the Robovan. It’s Tesla’s vision of an all-electric, fully autonomous bus that can hold up to 20 passengers in comfort or serve as a van to transport goods. Like the Cybercab, few technical details were provided about the vehicle, but Musk did confirm that it would use the firm’s most advanced self-driving tech, relying on a vision-only system. There’s no steering wheel or pedals here either, just a wide-open, spacious cabin with plenty of seating.

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Clearly, the most radical aspect of the Robovan is the exterior design. Looking like a futuristic pod out of a science fiction film, it has large glass side panels and LED lighting both front and rear. Musk said it’ll be part of the upcoming ‘Tesla Network,’ an autonomous ride-hailing service, but as with all things Tesla, production timelines and pricing remain mysterious.

And there you have it: Tesla’s latest attempt to take over your driveway—and the future—one autonomous pod at a time. Now it’s your turn—drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know where you stand on this fleet.