The wait for Tesla’s next high-performance electric crossover is nearly over, and it looks like the final pieces are falling into place. Shortly after our spy photographers snapped a camouflaged prototype at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, a prototype has been filmed completely undisguised while testing in the German Alps.

Read: New Tesla Model Y Performance Breaks Cover, Plaid Wheels And All

It appears this fuzzy, rolling shot of the Model Y Performance prototype was taken by the exterior cameras of another Tesla that was passing by. Just like the prototype we recently spotted, this one also appears to be rocking the same front bumper as all refreshed Model Ys.

The footage, which appears to have been recorded by the external cameras of another Tesla driving nearby, gives us our clearest look yet at the updated Performance trim. Like the refreshed Model Y Juniper we’ve already seen, the front bumper carries over the same design.

Spin around, though, and you’ll see that it has a unique rear bumper. Like the standard Model Y, it’s blacked out, but there are two small diffusers. While their aerodynamic effects will probably be tiny, they do make the Performance easy to pick from lesser versions. A new badge has also been added to the tailgate, likely mimicking the ‘Plaid’ badge found on the Model 3 Performance.

The sporty EV also has some other noticeable changes. For starters, we’re given another look at the 21-inch wheels that will be fitted exclusively to the Model Y Performance. Visible at the rear is also a much larger lip spoiler, giving the Model Y some much-needed sporty appeal.

Then there’s the color. This Model Y looks like it has a unique shade of burnt orange, but that might not be the case. The side cameras of Teslas with the HW3 self-driving computer often make red cars appear orange, reportedly because they lack an infrared cut filter. So, while this tester looks orange, it’s very likely Tesla’s existing shade of red.

In terms of performance, the new model should have the same basic dual-motor system as the Model 3 Performance, delivering 510 hp and 554 lb-ft (751 Nm) of torque. That should allow it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just over three seconds. Quick enough to justify the badge, and probably quicker than most owners will ever need.

🔥🔥 New Tesla Model Y Performance spotted uncovered in the Alps!

✅ Sporty rear bumper
✅ New 21” wheels
✅ Carbon fiber rear spoiler
✅ Performance badge

H/t @stenboo pic.twitter.com/Wo7kUm9ZXu

— Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) June 20, 2025

Tesla has long shunned traditional forms of advertising, and for most of the past decade, this approach has worked out well for them. Thanks to Tesla’s often fanatical owners, the power of word of mouth helped them become from a fledgling EV startup to the world’s leading EV brand and comfortably the most valuable car company on the planet.

Read: Tesla Kicks Off First Discounts On Model Y Juniper

But the past year has thrown Tesla a few curveballs, and now it looks like the company is trying to claw its way back into the public’s good graces.

Enter TeslaVision Content

To help reinvigorate interest in the brand, Tesla has announced the ‘TeslaVision Content.’ It’s been launched eight years after the original video contest, where Tesla owners were tasked with creating a homemade commercial. The original contest was won by Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD on YouTube.

According to Tesla, the new contest has been created to celebrate the global rollout of the new Model Y. Owners and fans can submit a video that is 90 seconds or less, “showing how Tesla vehicles give you more in your life – more freedom, more safety, more fun, more convenience.”

Prizes Galore… But Mostly for North America

The winner of the grand prize in North America will walk away with a brand new Tesla Model Y as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Gigafactory in Texas. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a free trip to the same factory and enjoy a private tour. There are different prizes in other markets. For example, for anyone living in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the grand prize is $830 in Tesla Shop Credits.

In Australia, the best fan-made commercial will get a trip to Tesla’s Gigafactory and enjoy a Cybertruck and Full-Self Driving experience. The 2nd place prize is a 2-day Model Y loan and 2 nights’ accommodation at a selected Tesla Destination Charging location. Yes, that’s a real prize. The pleasure of staying at a charging station.

The reason behind the contest is obvious: free promotion. All participants must upload their commercial to YouTube. Additionally, they need to make posts on X and Instagram, tagging Tesla and the words ‘TeslaVision contest.’

The clock’s ticking. All submissions must be in by July 17, with winners announced by August 16. Get creative, because Tesla is counting on you to sell their cars for them.

Lead image Carscoops / Elon Musk White House

Just because you see something funny or interesting online, that doesn’t mean you should try to copy it. The occupants of a Tesla Model X Plaid have learned that the hard way while trying to replicate a video featuring a Porsche 911 Turbo S went awry. Thankfully for all of us, the fail was caught on film and shared online for our viewing pleasure.

Read: Why Tesla Pulled The Model S And X From China

Last week, the owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo S shared a viral video on Instagram that demonstrates how quickly the flagship sports car launches off the line. In the clip, the owner’s young son is pinned so forcefully into the backrest of the passenger seat that he’s able to lift up his legs, essentially floating as the Porsche picks up speed.

While viewers were quick (and rightfully) to criticize the father for not securing his kid with a seatbelt, the internet still ate it up, as the post has racked up over 12 million likes. Go figure.

A Copycat Stunt Goes Predictably Wrong

Eager to replicate this clip, inevitably in an attempt to go viral, two men in a Model X Plaid had the amazing idea of doing the same. But it seems as though they completely forgot about the EV’s regenerative braking. The result? The passenger ends up smashing their head into the windshield.

Acceleration test with no belt… Wonder if this knocked any remaining brain cells back online
byu/KiddieSpread inCrazyFuckingVideos

Like the Porsche, the Model X Plaid can accelerate quickly enough to pin the passenger into the seat, allowing him to briefly lift up his legs. However, as soon as the driver lets off the throttle, the passenger goes flying forward and his head smashes into the windshield when the SUV starts to brake. His head hit the glass so hard that it shattered, and in all likelihood, he was probably left with a hefty concussion.

Making things even worse for the occupants is that the Model X’s windshield is particularly expensive to replace as it stretches much further back than a typical one, roughly in line with the front headrests.

So what did we learn? Seatbelts matter. Regenerative braking is not your friend in stunts like these. And above all, trying to go viral by copying strangers on the internet is a fantastic way to end up with a busted windshield and a CT scan. Watch the original Porsche video for entertainment, not inspiration.

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While Tesla’s clean-cut image typically favors minimalist design over wild customization, that hasn’t stopped some tuners from giving its EVs a much more dramatic makeover. Japanese outfit T-Demand, best known for modifying Toyotas and Lexuses, has now set its sights on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, bringing with it a distinctively low-slung attitude.

True to its roots, T-Demand has outfitted both Teslas with its signature suspension components, drastically altering their stance. The result? Two EVs that ride far lower than anything that ever rolled off a Fremont assembly line.

More: Toyota Crown Signia Turned Into The Wagon It Was Always Meant To Be

Starting with the Tesla Model Y Juniper, the electric crossover rides on a new set of 21-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in low-profile Nitto tires (245/35R21). Thanks to a custom air suspension setup, ground clearance has been dropped to sports car levels, making the Model Y look more like its Model 3 sibling.

It’s not just lower, it’s also wider in presence thanks to a steep 5.5 degrees of negative camber at both axles. T-Demand didn’t stop there, adding a performance brake kit with 380 mm (15-inch) discs and six-piston calipers for good measure.

Model 3 Highland Goes Even Lower

The Model 3 Highland follows the same theme but takes the specs a step further. It rides on 20-inch alloys paired with stretched 255/30R20 tires, and features an even more aggressive alignment: 8 degrees of negative camber up front, and 9 degrees at the rear.

This sedan also benefits from custom suspension arms (ProArm) and rides on a three-stage height-adjustable air suspension (ProDamper Airsus). In its lowest setting, the belly of the Tesla barely clears the tarmac, making it best suited for Japan’s smooth highways rather than your typical street with speed bumps and potholes.

Both demo cars were built by Man’z Factory and are based on rear-wheel-drive variants. Finished in white with stock body panels and single-motor electric drivetrains, they stick to visual and suspension upgrades rather than chasing performance.

Clean Look, Steep Price

Of course, achieving this extreme stance doesn’t come cheap. The basic air suspension kit, which includes a pressure management system, is priced at ¥780,000 ($5,400). Add the full ProArm suspension components, and you’re looking at an additional ¥1,204,500 ($8,400). The high-performance brake kit adds another ¥1,280,400 ($8,900), and that’s before you add the new wheels and tires.

More: Europeans Are Done With Tesla Except For One Country That Can’t Stop Buying

All the aforementioned prices are before taxes and don’t include fitment. For US customers interested in bringing this Japanese styling stateside, we reached out to T-Demand’s American division for a quote, but have yet to receive a response.

The slammed look won’t win over everyone, especially since it comes at the expense of everyday practicality and doesn’t offer any real performance gains. Still, there’s no question the ultra-low stance will turn heads, and probably spark more than a few double takes, everywhere it goes.

T-Demand

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Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions appear to be moving from concept to curb, with autonomous testing expected to begin later this month on the streets of Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, a curious-looking Model 3 prototype spotted in San Jose is stirring up speculation. Whether it’s a one-off experiment or a cleverly disguised test mule for the upcoming Cybercab, one thing’s clear; it’s not your typical Tesla.

The prototype was recently caught on video in a public parking lot in California and was wearing Texas manufacturer plates, meaning this was definitely not a privately owned car. Just like the Cybercab Tesla showed several months ago, the entire exterior of the prototype is finished in matte gold, which could be either a wrap or paint. The gold extends across the special aero covers on the wheels and even blocks out the entire rear window and the glass roof.

Read: Tesla’s Robotaxi And Cybercab Might Need New Names

There are some other interesting things going on with this particular Model 3.Up front, a new camera juts out from the bumper, and on the sides, the usual integrated cameras have been swapped for makeshift units crudely screwed into the quarter panels. Another additional camera has been tacked onto the trunk lid, rounding out the prototype’s growing collection of eyeballs.

@WholeMarsBlog @DirtyTesLa @AIDRIVR what the hell is this thing?? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ATYxTrXEeV

— Andrew Lopez (@ASVPxdrizzle) June 2, 2025

Perhaps leading credence to the theory that this is a test mule for the Cybercab is that the rear side windows have been blanked out, and sitting behind them are fixed camera units. The Cybercab showcased by Tesla last October had cameras in this very same position, unlike any other current Tesla model. Curiously, the B-pillar trim was missing from this car.

Unless, of course, you know, someone at Tesla decided that the same genius move that replaced turn stalks with steering wheel buttons should be extended to axing the glass roof and rear window for the sake of efficiency.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has said that production of the Cybercab will start before 2027, and indicated that prices will kick off from less than $30,000. Those are audacious targets, particularly for a carmaker like Tesla that is so well known for missing its production targets.

Tesla needs to wrap their Model Y Robotaxis like this https://t.co/egNxgTVoKL pic.twitter.com/Bur30y4Caa

— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) June 3, 2025

With just over a year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, authorities in the Mexican state of Jalisco are already gearing up for the massive soccer event. They’ve recently added three specially outfitted Tesla Cybertruck patrol vehicles to their fleet, which will be deployed in high-traffic tourist areas during the tournament.

One of these Cybertrucks was recently taken out onto the local city streets and tailed by a pair of F-Series trucks that police are also using. The local mayor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, is keen to maximize safety during the World Cup, although the expensive purchases do seem to have upset some locals.

Read: Las Vegas Gets First Cybertruck Police Fleet In America

The Tesla truck rocks a matte black wrap complete with all the necessary police livery. Flashing red and blue lights have also been neatly incorporated into the front and rear bumpers, as well as the side skirts. Local police have yet to release any photos of the Cybertruck’s cabin, but it’s likely also been modified with all the necessary equipment needed to patrol the streets and target criminals.

These Cybertrucks form just a small part of a much larger fleet of new vehicles that the state is introducing.

Governor Navarro has big plans to improve security in the region ahead of the World Cup. “We also need to work a lot on the perception of security; we are going to deliver 678 patrol cars for the State Police, State Highway Police, and State Police, including some ‘Black Mambas,’ which are this kind of tanks,” he said.

Mexico isn’t alone in adopting the Cybertruck for law enforcement. Earlier this year, Las Vegas announced it would receive 10 of the trucks, thanks to an anonymous donor. Some of these will be put into service with SWAT teams, while others will simply patrol the streets. Who knows? Maybe other cities will soon follow suit.

The 2026 World Cup is set to run from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada, featuring 48 teams. While Jalisco’s decision to roll out high-tech, bulletproof Cybertruck patrol vehicles might look impressive on paper, it also raises questions about whether this extravagant spending is really the most effective use of resources for an event of this scale.

@prensaxtremard El Gobierno de Jalisco presentó esta semana las nuevas patrullas Tesla Cybertruck, blindadas con acero grado balístico y equipadas con inteligencia artificial, cámaras 360°, conexión en tiempo real con centros de mando y acceso directo a bases de datos de órdenes de aprehensión. Estas unidades, capaces de resistir impactos de alto calibre, formarán parte del operativo especial de seguridad previo al Mundial 2026, que tendrá a Guadalajara como una de sus sedes. Además del uso de tecnología de punta, se anunció la instalación de 1,500 nuevas cámaras de videovigilancia en más de 300 puntos estratégicos del estado, incluyendo carreteras hacia Guanajuato, Colima y Michoacán. También se sumarán 678 nuevas patrullas. Para seguir informado, síguenos en #rotativodemexico 📰🌐 #Jalisco #Cybertruck #Tesla #Mundial2026 #Seguridad #Guadalajara #Tecnología #FIFA2026 ♬ sonido original – PRENSA XTREMA RD ✅️

Even today, when most populated areas of the US and Europe provide access to at least some EV charging points, it’s all too easy to succumb to the panic of range anxiety when the remaining charge indicator lights up red. Now imagine you’re trying to explore rural Asia and you’ll understand why one EV owner came up with an unusual method of keeping range anxiety at bay.

Related: Cybertruck’s $16K Range Booster Is Dead And Tesla Isn’t Saying Why

The Chinese Tesla owner, who wanted to visit the Mount Everest viewing platform in Lazi County before road-tripping through uninhabited areas of Tibet, decided to turn his fully-electric Model Y into a kind of range-extender hybrid.

A Gasoline-Powered Back-Up Plan

To do it he mounted a gasoline generator to the rear of his SUV, complete with its own license plate to stay within the bounds of the law. The idea wasn’t to rely solely on the ICE power station and to avoid real static EV charging stations, but to help keep the Tesla going in remote areas where those chargers were few and far between.

While hardly capable of cranking out DC fast charging levels of power, the owner found it was still able to produce 3 kW even at the 17,400 ft (5,300 m) of the Everest viewing platform. That was enough to add 12 miles (19 km) of range per hour, though as Car News China points out, it’s not a true range extender because it can’t charge the Model Y on the move,

The owner, who’s known as @Xiaomo, reportedly paid ¥2,800 ($390) for the generator, which swallowed around 22 US cents’ worth of gas for every mile (1.6 km) covered. That makes running on gas more expensive than running on electricity piped in from a cheap mains supply in China, but it’s certainly preferable to finding yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead EV.

Tesla doesn’t seem interested in offering range extenders for its cars, but we’ve come across plenty more owners who’ve had the same idea, including one who added a turbo-diesel engine to the trunk of his Model S.

Images: @Xiaomo

Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck but despise the wing mirrors that it comes with? Well, Tesbros has a “solution” for you. They’ve started selling a mirror delete kit for the electric pickup, which will make your vehicle look a little less… conventional. But before you rush to buy one, it’s worth checking whether your state even allows driving without wing mirrors. After all, you might end up with a ticket instead of a cleaner-looking truck.

Many states across the United States require cars to have both left and right wing mirrors, while others require at least one wing mirror. For states where mirrors aren’t explicitly required in local legislation, such as Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, and Montana, this is an intriguing way to make your Cybertruck look a little nicer(?).

Read: Masked Man Allegedly Caught With Tesla Map After Torching Cybertruck

When the mirrors of the Cybertruck are removed, an ugly hole is left behind on the door. Tesbros solution is a small stainless steel plate and a piece of ABS plastic to cover up the mess. The plate’s underside mimics that of the mirror and screws into place, securing it and ensuring it’s sturdy. Tesbros says the kit has been designed to work in all different conditions, including in states like Arizona, where it gets very hot in the summer.

The small piece of stainless steel used has been cut from a scrap Tesla Cybertruck door that Tesbros was able to secure, meaning it matches up nicely. However, they only had enough stainless steel to produce 80 kits, and it seems the entire first batch has already sold out. A future version of the kit, likely made from aluminum, is in development, with a plastic version also under consideration.

The original stainless kit wasn’t exactly a bargain, priced at a staggering $299 for what’s essentially two pieces of stainless steel and two bits of ABS plastic. And just to add a little more drama to the mix, at least one user on the Cybertruck Owners Club reported that after installing the kit, the adhesive holding the ABS piece to the stainless steel gave way, causing it to fly off on the highway. However, they did note that the company sent replacements which appear to be fine.

Tesbros

A Cybertruck driver recently found himself in a terrifying situation after what he claims was an aggressive move by another motorist on a California highway ended with his truck upside down. The incident occurred in broad daylight near Ukiah, and the entire event was captured by the Tesla’s onboard cameras.

The footage, later shared on YouTube by the Wham Baam Teslacam channel, shows how the crash unfolded. A black Ram 1500 overtakes the Cybertruck, then abruptly cuts into the right lane just ahead of it. Moments later, the Ram driver taps the brakes, prompting the Cybertruck driver to move left in an attempt to pass. That’s when things take a turn – literally.

More: BMW M4 Took A Wrong Turn Into The Mountain

The Ram swerves into the Tesla’s path, pulling off what appears to be an unintentional PIT maneuver that forces the Cybertruck off the highway. As it veers off the road, the slad-sided electric truck slams sideways into a ditch, causing it to roll over. While the truck lay upside down, its sensors detected the crash and automatically alerted emergency services. Fortunately, the driver wasn’t seriously injured, though he was taken to the hospital by ambulance after reporting back pain.

Copart

According to the Tesla owner, he had no prior interaction with the Ram driver, something he says is backed up by the footage he shared with police. After reviewing the video, the California Highway Patrol has reportedly charged the Ram driver with vehicular assault, though official confirmation from authorities has not been released publicly.

More: Cybertruck Was Just Charging Until Chaos Showed Up With A V8 And No Grip

The aftermath wasn’t kind to the Tesla. The truck sustained heavy damage to its roof, wheels, suspension, and body panels. It later appeared on Copart, looking far worse for wear. Some parts may be salvageable, but the cost of repairing such a heavily damaged vehicle likely outweighs any benefit. The driver is presumably seeking reimbursement through his insurance provider.

As for motive, nothing has been officially confirmed. However, the incident brings to mind other recent reports of road rage or hostility directed at Tesla drivers. Unlike the usual vandalism or minor clashes, though, this sort of encounter could have ended far more dangerously. With any luck, the Ram driver, if found responsible, will think twice before acting on impulse behind the wheel.

Screenshot Wham Baam Teslacam/Copart