Though Tesla had been making cars since 2009, it was their flagships, the Model S sedan and Model X SUV that came out in 2012 and 2015 respectively, that took them to the level of fame that they enjoy now. With some years under their belt, the new Tesla Model X and Model S are getting a refresh in the form of a new interior and a hot Plaid performance powertrain.
Tesla has been under siege for some time for a vehicle fire in Hong Kong which involved one of the brand’s electric cars. As a response to that, they have announced a fix for their flagship sedan and SUV.
Following an incident in 2016 which involved a Tesla S driver who was killed after leaving his car unattended in its so-called “Autopilot” mode, Tesla is in the headlines for another crash. This accident that happened in Florida, US, ended up in the unfortunate loss of the driver’s life as the responders were not able to open the fancy doors of the Tesla Model S.
“Ride-hailing” company Uber and Dubai’s Road & Transport Authority have teamed up to offer the RTA’s new Tesla taxis via the Uber app.
As a part of the move to make Dubai the “smartest city in the world,” the Road & Transport Authority has introduced 50 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles to its taxi fleet. As per the directions given by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, these vehicles will be a part of the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) fleet.
The arrival of the Model 3 in Tesla’s lineup called for more contrast between the bigger Model S and Model X ranges. Therefore Tesla has hiked the performance figures for the base models of the latter two.
Tesla today will begin accepting online orders for Model S and Model X in the UAE. Customers in the UAE can now visit the online design studio website to customise and order the Tesla vehicle. First orders of Model S and Model X vehicles are expected to be delivered in Dubai this summer.
The fatal accident which took the life of the 40-year-old driver in the United States is the first major accident that happened while a computer was at the wheel. The Tesla Model S which he drove was controlled by Tesla’s autonomous driving system, Autopilot, at the time of the accident, raising questions over the reliability of Autonomous driving systems.
Following the launch of their entry-level Model 3 and the Model X crossover, Tesla have given their Model S a revamp. A front fascia similar to that of the Model 3 adorns the front of the new Model S. The slender grille along with the LED lights give it a fresh look.
Electric cars have yet to make an impact in the Gulf. The first one to pop in, the limited-range Fisker Karma, stalled before it even got started, although it was more due to a little thing called bankruptcy rather than any market dynamics here. The Lexus “performance” hybrids haven’t done well either, with their high prices and lack of real performance gains. And Nissan keeps showing the Leaf in public, but cannot apparently make it adjust to our weather. But the one electric car the rest of the world is excited about isn’t even offered in the UAE. That’s the Tesla Model S.