Tesla Model S Aftermarket Body Kit Reviews https://www.teslarati.com Tesla news, rumors and reviews. SpaceX, Elon Musk, batteries, energy, premium EV market. Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:33:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0 https://www.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-Teslarati-iOS-White-Leaf-Icon-512x512-32x32.png Tesla Model S Aftermarket Body Kit Reviews https://www.teslarati.com 32 32 Tesla Model S conversion project births stunning two-door convertible https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-conversion-project-births-stunning-two-door-convertible/ Thu, 21 Jan 2021 21:59:52 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=164939 The Tesla Model S was a subject of a conversion project at Ares’ Design, turning the flagship sedan into a stunning two-door convertible. The Model S was Tesla’s second car behind the original Roadster from 2008. Since its original release in 2012, Tesla has made several small refinements to the car. One of the most […]

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The Tesla Model S was a subject of a conversion project at Ares’ Design, turning the flagship sedan into a stunning two-door convertible.

The Model S was Tesla’s second car behind the original Roadster from 2008. Since its original release in 2012, Tesla has made several small refinements to the car. One of the most notable is the omittance of the nosecone in favor of a new, more modern design. Tesla implemented this change in 2016, and it has been highly-accepted among the community.

Recently, rumors of a refresh to the Model S design have been circulating within the Tesla community. Because the flagship sedan and subsequent Model X vehicles have not been updated in several years, Tesla may be considering updating the design. While possibilities are endless and everyone has their opinion on what should be done, the folks at Ares Design in Modena, Italy put their own spin on the Model S, ridding it of the rear passenger doors and doing away with the top of the car.

The project started with the removal of the roof and central B-pillars, along with the rear doors. The wheelbase was then shortened to make the two-door design more reasonably aesthetic, and Ares designed their own doors that were fabricated to the specifications of the newly-refined Model S chassis. Structural reinforcements were added as well to ensure the safety of passengers.

Paired with interior upgrades that include new seating and a colorful new steering wheel with matching accents, the Model S from Ares is certainly one of the more interesting revisions to Tesla’s flagship sedan. However, it isn’t an ugly or unruly conversion by any means. However, some enthusiasts may have something to say about the revisions to the Model S’ design, as it was many early Tesla enthusiasts first EV.

Ares has many projects that will fit the taste of nearly every automotive enthusiast on Earth. With projects that span from Tesla to Lamborghini, there are several different routes the design studio has taken over the years to ensure the satisfaction of their customers and fans.

“At Ares, our co-create philosophy allows clients to work side by side with our designers and engineers to create their very own bespoke vehicle, a service that is unique to ARES,” CEO Dany Bahar said in a statement on the company’s website. “This Tesla project is a superb example of this; it was a pure coachbuilding project which we very much enjoy doing and seeing the results of our uncompromising standards.”

What do you think? Leave a comment down below. Got a tip? Email us at tips@teslarati.com or reach out to me at joey@teslarati.com

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Unplugged Performance Tesla Model 3 in Street Spec Beats Legendary McLaren F1 at Tsukuba https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-vs-mclaren-f1-tsukuba-circuit/ Tue, 10 Mar 2020 11:11:39 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=132829 A Tesla Model 3 Performance with modifications from EV tuning house Unplugged Performance has achieved an elusive feat. During a run in Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit, a location famed for its twists and turns, the modified all-electric sedan managed to beat the record of a legendary naturally aspirated supercar, the McLaren F1, with an impressive lap […]

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A Tesla Model 3 Performance with modifications from EV tuning house Unplugged Performance has achieved an elusive feat. During a run in Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit, a location famed for its twists and turns, the modified all-electric sedan managed to beat the record of a legendary naturally aspirated supercar, the McLaren F1, with an impressive lap time of 1:03.3.

What’s rather interesting is that the Model 3 Performance was actually in its street settings when it was brought to the track, and its driver was a neophyte with electric cars. While the vehicle had a slew of modifications, the Model 3 was not tuned or modified specially for the Tsukuba Circuit. It was even equipped with OEM tires from a Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997), which are good on the track but also great for regular driving.

The Model 3 that was used for the Tsukuba Circuit run was the same car that Unplugged Performance brought to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The vehicle, which belongs to Tesla owner enthusiast Erik Strait and dubbed as the Model 3 Ascension R, was brought over to Japan this January following its showcase at the SEMA 2019 show. The all-electric car was showcased in Japan as a way to demonstrate how classic tuning methods could be applied for high-performance EVs.

It should be noted that its record-breaking lap was not the first time Unplugged Performance’s Model 3 Ascension R was brought to Tsukuba Circuit. After its appearance at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the vehicle was brought to the track, where it came close to beating the McLaren F1’s lap record with a time of 1:04.7. This was just one-tenth of a second slower than the McLaren F1’s record of 1:04.6.

While the McLaren F1 is no longer the world’s fastest supercar today, the vehicle remains one of the most formidable forces of automotive engineering ever created. The car, which saw production between 1992 to 1998, was considered groundbreaking and insane at the same time. In 1998, the F1 took the title as the world’s fastest production car with a speed of 240.1 mph, and it held on to its crown until it was beaten by the Koenigsegg CCR in 2005. Even decades after its release, the McLaren F1 remains the world’s fastest naturally-aspirated production car in the industry.

For Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Shaffer, The Tesla Model 3 Ascension R is a love song of sorts to his background in JDM vehicles. It’s a fast electric car that is very capable on the track, of course, but it is also a proper road car that can be used for everyday driving.

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Tesla Roadster’s SpaceX thrusters will be hidden behind the license plate, reveals Elon Musk https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-roadster-spacex-package-back-to-the-future-time-machine-pictures/ Sun, 14 Jul 2019 11:00:01 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=108948 When Elon Musk announced that the next-generation Tesla Roadster would have a special trim called the “SpaceX Package,” many were skeptical. This was understandable, since the idea of using actual rocket tech from a SpaceX Falcon 9 in an all-electric supercar is crazy. Then again, we’re talking about Elon Musk here, and the man revels […]

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When Elon Musk announced that the next-generation Tesla Roadster would have a special trim called the “SpaceX Package,” many were skeptical. This was understandable, since the idea of using actual rocket tech from a SpaceX Falcon 9 in an all-electric supercar is crazy. Then again, we’re talking about Elon Musk here, and the man revels in making science fiction into science fact.

Elon Musk has talked about the new Tesla Roadster’s SpaceX Package multiple times since announcing the vehicle. During his appearance at Model 3 owner and Tesla enthusiast Ryan McCaffrey’s Ride the Lightning podcast, Musk mentioned that with the SpaceX Package, the Roadster’s thrust should pull around 3Gs during launch. That’s equal to the thrust of the Space Shuttle

While much has been said about the new Tesla Roadster’s SpaceX Package, the vehicle’s appearance has not been teased by Tesla. More than a year since it was mentioned, and a big question mark still hovers around the design elements of the special Roadster variant. These circumstances are the perfect scenario for auto enthusiast and render specialist Charlie Automotive, who decided to take a crack at designing a “SpaceX Package” for the upcoming Roadster — but with a twist. 

A fan render of the Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package transforms the all-electric supercar into the Time Machine from the Back to the Future franchise. (Photo: CharlieAutomotive/Instagram)

The next-generation Roadster will pretty much be a spaceship on wheels, a car whose performance is practically in the realms of science-fiction. For the render specialist, this makes the Roadster the perfect vehicle for a modern, next-generation take on the iconic time machine from the Back to the Future franchise. 

Emblazoned with an understated SpaceX logo on the side, the vehicle features the same stainless steel color and the same details as its DeLorean predecessor, as well as an all-too-important flux capacitor. The Roadster will be futuristic, and this SpaceX Package render is futuristic, without being over the top. 

Looking at the design of the rendered vehicle, it is difficult not to be impressed. The balance between the classic flourishes of the time-traveling DeLorean from Back to the Future and the futuristic lines of the new Roadster is well done. One thing is certain, of course. This particular time machine will have no problem hitting 88 mph. It will likely do that in just around 4 seconds, actually. 

A fan render of the Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package transforms the all-electric supercar into the Time Machine from the Back to the Future franchise. (Photo: CharlieAutomotive/Instagram)

Update: 

Commenting on this creative Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package fan render, Elon Musk has stated that the real SpaceX Package’s will actually be subtle. The vehicle’s cold gas thrusters, for example, will be hidden behind the vehicle’s license plate. 

Inasmuch as the next-generation Roadster’s SpaceX Package seems borderline unrealistic, it should be noted that Elon Musk’s performance claims for Tesla’s electric cars have always been accurate, conservative even. Musk has a tendency to overpromise when it comes to the release dates of Tesla’s vehicles, features, and services, but he also has a tendency to underpromise when it comes to his electric cars’ performance. 

Take the Model 3 Performance, for example. Musk quoted a 3.5-second 0-60 mph time for the vehicle, but after owners started proving that the electric sedan could hit highway speeds faster than the company’s estimates, Tesla eventually updated the cars’ specs. Today, the Model 3 Performance is quoted with a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds, which is far more accurate.

The next-generation Tesla Roadster is a vehicle created for a simple purpose. It is a supercar that’s designed to remove the halo effect of gasoline cars in terms of performance, which means that it is made to outperform its rivals in every single metric. “We’re going to do things with the new Roadster that are kind of unfair to other cars. (It’s) crushingly good relative to the next best gasoline sports car,” Musk said. This is an astoundingly high target, but it also is undoubtedly, distinctly Tesla. 

Watch Charlie Automotive’s teaser for the Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package time machine in the video below. 

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Making of Tesla ‘Truckla’ pickup truck: Behind the scenes with Rich Rebuilds https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-rich-rebuilds-the-making-of-truckla-video/ Fri, 21 Jun 2019 18:19:49 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=107282 Tesla DIY enthusiast and rebel mechanic Rich Benoit has worked on a number of interesting projects involving the electric car maker’s vehicles in the past. But over the past year, Rich, who runs YouTube’s Rich Rebuilds channel, was involved in the design and creation of a literal one-of-a-kind electric car: fellow YouTube influencer Simone Giertz’s […]

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Tesla DIY enthusiast and rebel mechanic Rich Benoit has worked on a number of interesting projects involving the electric car maker’s vehicles in the past. But over the past year, Rich, who runs YouTube’s Rich Rebuilds channel, was involved in the design and creation of a literal one-of-a-kind electric car: fellow YouTube influencer Simone Giertz’s “Truckla,” a heavily-modified Tesla Model 3 that was converted into a coupe utility vehicle.

In a recent video, Benoit provided a deep dive on how the Model 3’s rear was transformed from a sedan to a full pickup bed. Having worked with Teslas in the past (including, among others, a horribly-flooded Model S), Benoit was tasked with building the bed and its mockup. He also worked on the vehicle’s high-voltage components, its safety systems, and other electronic features.

Despite the Model 3 pickup appearing as if a part of its rear was simply taken off and converted into a bed, Benoit emphasized that there was actually a ton of careful planning involved when they were building the coupe utility vehicle. Each cut was precise, and particular car was placed in ensuring that every feature of the car, such as its rear sensors and airbags (to name a few) were not compromised.

A lot of reinforcements were designed and fitted into Truckla during its buildout, making it very strong for a utility vehicle of its size. A sturdy roll bar was installed, and multiple reinforcements were fitted on Truckla’s bed and tailgate, allowing it to carry a decent load. Commenting on the completed modified all-electric vehicle, Rich noted that Truckla, in its full, DIY glory, is built very well.

Truckla’s faux commercial has garnered 4.1 million views on YouTube as of writing, and Simone Giertz’s account of the vehicle’s creation has been viewed 3.7 million times since it went online three days ago. This all but hints at the interest surrounding a Tesla pickup truck. Fortunately for the electric car maker, an actual Tesla Truck is expected to be unveiled later this year. Musk has been quite candid about Tesla’s upcoming pickup, which he describes as a “cyberpunk” vehicle that will not look out of place in the Blade Runner franchise.

Tesla’s pickup truck will most likely be loaded to the teeth with tech; that much is hinted at by Elon Musk. Nevertheless, the CEO has also noted that the vehicle will start at $49,000 at most. “You should be able to buy a really great truck for $49k or less,” Musk said. Elon Musk also confirmed that the cryptic teaser of the vehicle that was included in the Model Y unveiling was the truck’s front.

Watch Rich Rebuilds’ look at the making of Truckla in the video below.

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First Tesla pickup truck comes to life from Model 3 conversion https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-first-pickup-truck-is-a-diy-model-3-conversion/ Tue, 18 Jun 2019 16:20:03 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=107019 YouTube influencer and robot-enthusiast Simone Giertz, who commands an impressive 1.6 million followers on the video streaming platform, has taken it upon herself to make her dream vehicle a reality. Giertz’s dream is rather simple: she wants a Tesla that’s a pickup truck, and while Elon Musk has pledged to unveil an actual Tesla Truck […]

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YouTube influencer and robot-enthusiast Simone Giertz, who commands an impressive 1.6 million followers on the video streaming platform, has taken it upon herself to make her dream vehicle a reality. Giertz’s dream is rather simple: she wants a Tesla that’s a pickup truck, and while Elon Musk has pledged to unveil an actual Tesla Truck later this year, the YouTuber noted that she’s not really very keen on waiting for the yet-to-be-unveiled vehicle. Thus, she decided to just make her own Tesla Truck, or “Truckla,” for short.

Giertz opted to utilize a Model 3 for the project, since the vehicle featured a frame that was easier to work with than a Model S or Model X. A number of designs were considered for the “Truckla,” including a rather humorous one that involved taking off the Model 3’s rear and putting a flatbed in its place. Ultimately, Giertz opted to create a coupe utility vehicle in the spirit of classic muscle cars such as the Chevrolet El Camino. That is, it will be a Model 3 with the top part of its rear taken off.

The self-described “queen of sh*tty robots” then took on the task of assembling a team of individuals who could help bring the “Truckla” to life. Among these included Bay Area mechanic and artist Marcos Ramirez, Tesla DIY enthusiast Richard Benoit (better known on YouTube as Rich Rebuilds), and German designer/YouTuber Laura Kampf. Through a long journey that involved its own fair share of trial and error, Giertz’s dream vehicle was created. The “Truckla” was born.

The “Truckla” might polarize the EV enthusiast community due to its coupe utility vehicle looks, but the vehicle is an actual pickup truck nonetheless. In a “commercial” for the vehicle, the Model 3 truck could even be seen driving with ease on unpaved roads. There’s a lumber rack with lights, and it has a fully workable bed. Giertz remarked that the endeavor would probably be “the smartest or the most stupid thing I’m ever going to do” when she was introducing the Model 3 pickup truck project. Potentially polarizing looks aside, the fact that the vehicle works, has a bed, and is an actual pickup, makes one inclined to think that it’s the former.

Speaking to The Verge about the project, the YouTuber noted that the “Truckla,” despite its humorous and near crazy connotations, is a vehicle that she really wanted. “I really hope that people don’t just think of this as an obnoxious YouTuber cutting up a brand new car. This process has destructive steps, but the end goal is constructive. And I’m doing it because I really, really want this car. This is truly my dream car,” she said.

Watch Giertz’s commercial for her DIY Model 3 pickup truck in the video below.

And here’s the long journey of the “Truckla” from regular Model 3 to, well, a pickup truck.

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Tesla Model 3 police car makes an appearance at law enforcement tech conference https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-police-car-law-enforcement-conference/ Sat, 04 May 2019 14:02:34 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=103204 A Tesla Model 3 police car made an appearance at the Accelerate Policing conference, an event hosted by law enforcement tech company Axon. The symposium was held in Phoenix, AZ, and it featured presentations and discussions on recent innovations for the law enforcement industry. Images taken of the Model 3 police vehicle suggest that the […]

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A Tesla Model 3 police car made an appearance at the Accelerate Policing conference, an event hosted by law enforcement tech company Axon. The symposium was held in Phoenix, AZ, and it featured presentations and discussions on recent innovations for the law enforcement industry.

Images taken of the Model 3 police vehicle suggest that the electric car was specifically modified by Axon itself, as well as Tomar, a manufacturer of police car equipment. Wrapped in matte silver and white and emblazoned with the words “Police” in classic Tesla font, the Model 3 looked every bit like a police cruiser. Modifications such as a lightbar inside the cabin and police lights on the side mirrors also give the electric cruiser a distinctly futuristic look.

https://twitter.com/Abramjee/status/1123760474762416134

Quite interestingly, the Model 3 police car was fitted with what appeared to be 20″ wheels, which are great for performance but not really practical for police duty. The vehicle also appears to be a non-performance Model 3, due to the absence of red brake calipers.

While Axon’s Model 3 police car appears to have been built simply as a concept, the idea of using the electric sedan for law enforcement actually makes a lot of sense. Teslas have been used by police for years, though the high costs of the Model S and Model X have largely prevented their widespread use. This issue is not present with the Model 3, which costs significantly less than the premium sedan and SUV.

Axon’s Tesla Model 3 police car. (Photo: t0mmyr/Reddit)

The Tesla Model 3 is quick on its feet thanks to the instant torque of its electric motors, and it’s durable thanks to its rigid aluminum frame. Being an electric vehicle, the Model 3 requires far less maintenance than a comparable gas or diesel-powered police car, and its operating costs are also significantly lower. The Model 3’s 1-million-mile drive unit and long-lasting battery pack further ensure that the vehicle could remain in service for a long time.  

Police vehicles are subjected to a lot of use and abuse during their years of service. According to the Fremont PD, police cruisers drive around 40-70 miles a day on average, and each vehicle is driven hard on a consistent basis. From these requirements, it appears that the Standard Plus Model 3 could be a perfect fit for police duty, since it’s affordable enough for mass deployment while including all the advantages of its more expensive siblings. Axon’s Tesla Model 3 police car definitely looks the part. Perhaps, in the future, the Model 3 could even be as ubiquitous as the Crown Vic. One can only hope.

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Tesla Model S Fremont PD police cruiser is complete and ready for duty https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-fremont-pd-police-cruiser-update/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 01:00:10 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=97063 The Fremont Police Department’s held a media event on Wednesday to debut its newest Tesla Model S police car. The modified 2014 Model S 85 will be used by the Fremont PD as a regular patrol car, as part of the city’s initiatives to reduce emissions. The Model S police cruiser is daunting to behold. […]

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The Fremont Police Department’s held a media event on Wednesday to debut its newest Tesla Model S police car. The modified 2014 Model S 85 will be used by the Fremont PD as a regular patrol car, as part of the city’s initiatives to reduce emissions.

The Model S police cruiser is daunting to behold. The Model S is already a fairly large car, and when it’s equipped with police equipment, it definitely looks the part of a tough vehicle that chases down criminals as part of its daily routine. Fremont PD notes that it spent around $4,000 in modifications to make the car ready for police duty. These include an overhead light bar, rear flashers, an in-vehicle camera, a push-bumper, partitions between the front seat and back, and front doors that are replaced with armored panels. The vehicle’s plush back seats are even changed to a smooth plastic prisoner seat, due to the tendency of some people to make a mess at the back of the car.

The modification of the 2014 Model S 85 was done under Tesla’s supervision. Engineers from the company were consulted to ensure that no sensitive parts of the vehicle got damaged as police equipment was installed. The electric car maker also disabled the Model S’ driver-assist features such as Autopilot and Autopark.

While the upfront cost of the Model S patrol car exceeds that of traditional gas-guzzling police vehicles, Fremont PD expects the electric sedan to give significant savings in gas and maintenance. Speaking to KCBS News, Mark Collins, the department’s fleet maintenance manager, also added that the Tesla Model S’ raw power will come in handy during police work. “The acceleration is better in the electric models. That’ll get them right on them quicker and faster,” he said.

Speaking to Mashable, Fremont police Capt. Sean Washington noted that if the Model S 85 proves to be an effective police vehicle, Fremont PD could purchase an additional 10 electric cars, then another 20. Washington also stated that a mostly-electric police fleet is a realistic idea for the future, since electric vehicle technology is improving at a rapid pace.

Tesla is on its way to becoming a mass-market car maker with the $35,000 Model 3. Once the company learns how to make vehicles at scale, it could start producing “police package” versions (bare-bones units that can be easily modified with police equipment) cars as part of its offerings. The Model 3 and the upcoming Model Y will actually be a good choice for police duty, since the vehicles have all the advantages of high-end electric cars such as instant torque and quick acceleration while being priced competitively with mainstream vehicles.

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Tesla Model S replaces Dodge Charger as Fremont PD’s latest patrol vehicle https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-dodge-charger-fremont-pd-patrol-vehicle/ Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:00:30 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=93332 A Tesla Model S will soon be starting a new life with the Fremont Police Department. In an announcement on Wednesday, the Fremont PD stated that it would be launching a pilot program to test out if battery-electric cars such as Tesla’s flagship sedan are cut out for full-time police duty. The upcoming deployment of […]

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A Tesla Model S will soon be starting a new life with the Fremont Police Department. In an announcement on Wednesday, the Fremont PD stated that it would be launching a pilot program to test out if battery-electric cars such as Tesla’s flagship sedan are cut out for full-time police duty. The upcoming deployment of the Model S also plays a part in Fremont’s overall goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 25% by 2020.

The Fremont PD opted for a 2014 Tesla Model S 85 as its first all-electric patrol car. The vehicle will be replacing a 2007 Dodge Charger, which will soon be taken out of service due to the vehicle’s age. The car was given a set of modifications specifically for police use, including an overhead light bar, a prisoner partition, headlight flashers, armored panels for the driver and front passenger doors, and a large, heavy-duty push bumper. The Fremont PD shared an image of the modified Model S, and it’s pretty difficult to deny that the all-electric car looks very good (and even a tad intimidating) as a patrol car.

As a full-on police cruiser, the Fremont PD’s Model S 85 will be doing the same tasks as its gas-powered counterparts. This, according to the city’s police department, means that the vehicle will be used heavily. In a document explaining the rationale behind its EV patrol car program, the Fremont PD noted that patrol cars are exposed to various stresses every day. For one, police cruisers drive around 40-70 miles a day, and maneuvers involving hard on and off braking, as well as hard on and off acceleration, are normal. Police vehicles are subjected to fast and quick steering maneuvers at high speed too, as well as extended idle periods where emergency lights and other police equipment are activated.

The Fremont PD’s Tesla Model S 85 patrol car before and after modifications. (Photos: Fremont PD)

With a range of 265 miles per charge, the Model S 85 does seem to have enough battery power for an average day’s police work. The Fremont PD notes that the vehicle’s electric motor meets the requirements for hard on and off acceleration, and the Model S 85’s heavy-duty brakes, coupled with regenerative braking, meets the braking demands of patrol cars. The all-electric car’s low center of gravity also provides excellent steering and handling at high speeds. That said, the Fremont PD does have concerns with extended idle times, as activated emergency lights and other accessories might eat into the Model S’ range.  

As noted by the Fremont PD, a notable advantage for its Model S 85 cruiser lies in its maintenance needs, or lack thereof. Being an all-electric car, the Model S has far fewer moving parts than the Dodge Charger it is replacing. Thanks to features like regenerative braking, the electric car requires fewer replacement parts, which, in turn, results in lesser downtime. Ultimately, though, the vehicle also helps Fremont transition towards sustainability, as addressed by Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington in a press release.

“The electric patrol vehicle pilot program is an extension of the City’s clean technology and smart city initiatives to help make Fremont a more sustainable community,” Washington said.

The Fremont PD captain’s reference on the city’s sustainability is no exaggeration. As noted in a CBS local report, the vehicle fleet of Fremont’s police department is responsible for 980 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. With its electric car fleet program, Fremont PD expects to reduce its fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%. The gas and maintenance savings presented by the Model S patrol car is also notable. Over five years, it is estimated that a Ford Explorer cruiser would consume around $32,000 in fuel, with an additional $15,000 in maintenance costs. The Model S 85 is expected to consume only a fraction of this cost.

Tesla’s electric cars have been used as police vehicles in the past. Back in 2015, the LAPD announced that it would be leasing two Model S P85D that will be used as pursuit vehicles for its electric car initiative. While the cars met the LAPD’s demands for performance and range, the vehicles were weighed down by their high price. The Denver PD also revealed its own Model S police car, though the vehicle was mostly used for community outreach events instead of everyday police work.

Perhaps the closest initiative to Fremont PD’s recently announced Model S cruiser is Luxembourg’s twin Tesla pursuit vehicles, both of which serve as rapid response patrol cars. A similar program was also launched last year by the Swiss Police, though the cars used in the initiative were Model X SUVs. Elon Musk later took to Twitter to express his approval for the Swiss Police’s initiative, even joking that with the Model X in service, “bad guys will definitely not escape.”

The Fremont PD’s Tesla Model S 85 patrol car is expected to be deployed soon.

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Tesla Model S-APEX P100D widebody graces the 2018 SEMA Show https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-apex-p100d-widebody-unplugged-performance-sema-show-2018/ https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-apex-p100d-widebody-unplugged-performance-sema-show-2018/#respond Tue, 30 Oct 2018 15:53:24 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=87077 Every year, aftermarket manufacturers, OEMs, restoration specialists, and other auto dealers come together in Las Vegas, NV for the SEMA Show. Conducted every first week of November, the SEMA Show is a venue where the best of the auto industry are given a platform to showcase their work. For Tesla aftermarket company Unplugged Performance, this […]

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Every year, aftermarket manufacturers, OEMs, restoration specialists, and other auto dealers come together in Las Vegas, NV for the SEMA Show. Conducted every first week of November, the SEMA Show is a venue where the best of the auto industry are given a platform to showcase their work. For Tesla aftermarket company Unplugged Performance, this corresponds to its most notable creation yet — the Model S-APEX P100D widebody.

The Model X P100D is Tesla’s quickest vehicle. With a 0-60 mph time that broke MotorTrend‘s 2.3-second mark, the Model S P100D is a vehicle that has developed a reputation for being downright frightening in straight-line acceleration. The Model S-APEX P100D from Unplugged Performance, with its widebody kit and aggressive aeros, is pretty much a regular P100D turned up to 11. 

The Tesla aftermarket company began working on the S-APEX more than two years ago. The product of thousands of hours worth of planning, designing, fitting, and remanufacturing, the first Tesla Model S-APEX P100D widebody was purchased by Los Angeles-based car collector and entrepreneur Derek Collison. The car collector has a soft spot for Tesla’s high-performance electric cars, but he wanted something more compelling than a standard P100D — thus, the S-APEX widebody.

Unplugged Performance’s Tesla Model S-APEX P100D widebody. [Credit: Unplugged Performance]

Unplugged Performance notes that the inspiration for the design elements of the Model S-APEX P100D came from the AMG Black Series, a stunning car in its own right. For the exterior, the aftermarket specialist opted to use prepreg dry carbon, which is lightweight and durable. This is achieved by impregnating (hence pre-impregnated) the carbon material with resin (hardening agent) and using heat to activate the material, which is also used by exclusive supercar makers such as Pagani, Bugatti, and Ferrari. Urethane for the front lip was also used to keep the car easy to use and resilient enough for day-to-day use.

The result of the modification S-APEX widebody modification is visually stunning. With the widebody kit, wheels and tires with a larger track could be installed on the vehicle, which is expected to result in better handling, lateral g-forces, acceleration, and deceleration. Coupled with super lightweight brakes and wheels, the Model S-APEX is expected to showcase an even more extreme 0-60 mph time than Telsa’s own 2.3 seconds. A quarter-mile time in the 10s is also expected for the vehicle.

Tesla owners who wish to acquire a Model S-APEX of their own would need to invest $30,000 for the widebody kit itself. Unplugged Performance notes that a minimum spec — featuring the widebody kit, wheels, and installation — would run around $50,000 or so. Customers who choose to modify the car’s interior, brakes, suspension, and other parts should expect to add roughly $50,000 more. 

Unplugged Performance’s Tesla Model S-APEX P100D widebody. [Credit: Unplugged Performance]

In a statement to Teslarati, Unplugged Performance notes that the S-APEX is designed to be the ultimate form of customization for the Silicon Valley-based company’s premium electric cars. That said, such a vehicle is admittedly not for everyone as well.

“The S-APEX is meant to represent the absolute peak of Tesla Model S customization which brings the bespoke car-building options to Tesla owners. The aero parts on this car were designed digitally in concert with world-class modelers and optimized for daily usability, handling, range, and visual impact. The final result is a Model S where the sporting soul is unleashed.

“Is this the Tesla Model S for everyone? Absolutely not; and that’s the point.”

The Tesla Model S-APEX P100D would be showcased in Unplugged Performance’s booth at the SEMA Show 2018, which is set to run from October 30 to November 2, 2018.

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Tesla Model S aftermarket project highlights NBA icon’s attachment to his electric car https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-shaq-refresh/ https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-shaq-refresh/#respond Sat, 08 Sep 2018 15:45:35 +0000 https://www.teslarati.com/?p=83123 It is easy to develop an attachment for Tesla’s electric cars. Fast, sleek, and fun to drive, the company’s vehicles have a pretty good penchant for being memorable. For NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, his Tesla Model S P85 is one such vehicle. Having an estimated net worth of $400 million as of this year, Shaq […]

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It is easy to develop an attachment for Tesla’s electric cars. Fast, sleek, and fun to drive, the company’s vehicles have a pretty good penchant for being memorable. For NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, his Tesla Model S P85 is one such vehicle.

Having an estimated net worth of $400 million as of this year, Shaq has the means to buy every car that catches his fancy — and buy them he does. The retired NBA star owns an impressive car collection, including a stretched Lamborghini Gallardo, a heavily-modified, custom-built Ford F-650 pickup truck, and a Rolls Royce Phantom. O’Neal is also known to splurge from time to time, at one point spending $70,000 in a shopping spree at a Walmart.

Despite this, Shaq seems to have a particular attachment to his pre-facelift Tesla Model S P85, which still sported Tesla’s classic nosecone found in the first iterations of the full-sized electric sedan. Considering Shaq’s love of cars, he could easily purchase a fully-loaded Tesla Model S P100D without batting an eye. Instead of doing this, the NBA icon opted to take his aging P85 to Tesla aftermarket company Unplugged Performance in Hawthorne, CA, to have his electric car redone and updated with a new front fascia and various other accents. 

Ben Schaffer, CEO and founder of Unplugged Performance, noted in a statement to Teslarati that he found Shaq’s request quite interesting due to the background of the NBA star. That said, Ben stated that Shaq seemed to have a particular attachment to the vehicle, and that he wanted the Unplugged Performance team to make his Model S feel “like a new car” again. The entire project took a single day, with the team installing its front fascia refresh kit, side skirts, rear diffuser, and rear diffuser fins. On account of his steep garage, Shaq opted out of any modification to his Model S P85’s suspension.

The NBA legend was quite happy with the results of his car’s aftermarket modification, giving a shoutout to the Unplugged Performance team on his Instagram page.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Tesla Model S P85 after getting an aftermarket front fascia refresh. [Credit: Unplugged Performance]

Tesla’s electric cars are some of the finest looking vehicles on the road today. That being said, it takes a lot of care and attention to detail to create aftermarket modifications for the vehicles, especially due to the sensitivity of their electronics. This has not stopped aftermarket firms to tackle the challenge of modifying Tesla’s electric cars, though.

In Europe, for one, Qwest Norfolk managed to design and create a Tesla Model S Shooting Brake by cutting off the back of the electric car and replacing it with a rear made of carbon fiber. RemetzCar, a high-end aftermarket company that specializes in building stretched vehicles, also created its own version of a Model S Shooting Brake, which was designed to be both elegant and sporty.

It’s not just the Model S that has attracted the interest of car aftermarket companies. Last May, Delta 4×4, a company based in Germany, unveiled an off-road mod for the Tesla Model X, making the all-electric SUV look incredibly daunting with monster wheels. In the US, Unplugged Performance has also developed a body kit and aftermarket performance parts for the Tesla Model 3.

Watch Shaq’s Tesla Model S P85 get an updated look in the video below. 

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