Even before it received Tesla’s “‘Raven” updates, the Model S P100D is already a monster on the drag strip. Equipped with two electric motors and a hefty 100 kWh battery pack, the pre-Raven Tesla Model S P100D broke electric car stereotypes when it regularly outran supercars, thanks in no small part to its instant torque that allowed a ludicrous 0-60 mph time of 2.28 seconds.
The Raven updates to the Model S brought even more range and efficiency to an already impressive vehicle. Thanks to an updated drive unit and other optimizations, the Model S’s range was raised to an industry-leading 370 miles per charge on the non-performance long-range variant. The range of the Model S Performance, formerly the P100D, has also been raised to 345 miles per charge. Coupled with other updates such as Fully Adaptive Suspension, the Raven Model S was improved with even more torque and power.
These improvements were notably evident in a recent video posted by the Tesla Racing Channel on YouTube, which involved a stock Raven Tesla Model S Performance racing against a lineup of opponents including Ford Mustangs, a Corvette, a Chevy Camaro, and a heavily-tuned Honda Civic. The results, to say the least, were quite cruel, at least for the Model S’ opponents.
The Tesla Racing Channel team is known for going head-to-head against some of the most aggressive vehicles on the drag strip and beyond. The team’s experience certainly played a factor in the Raven Model S Performance’s race results, as the vehicle was able to make quick work of each opponent, leaving them off the starting line and pulling until the end of the race.
During a bout against a notably loud Ford Mustang, the Model S Performance was even able to reset the stock Tesla record by running the quarter-mile in 10.546 seconds at 126.08 mph. Overall, only the Chevy Camaro showed some fight against the all-electric premium sedan, crossing the quarter-mile mark at 133.80 mph, which is about 8.4 mph more than the Model S’ trap speed of 125.39 mph.
What is particularly remarkable is that the Raven Model S was able to accomplish its dominating feat while being fully stock. With an upgraded set of wheels and brakes, and perhaps a stripped interior (the Tesla Racing Channel team has done this in the past, to impressive results), Tesla’s fastest sedan would likely prove even faster.
Watch the Raven Tesla Model S Performance duel several muscle cars and a tuned Japanese classic in the video below.
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‘Raven’ Tesla Model S Performance crushes muscle cars in multiple drag races
To say that Tesla’s electric cars are among the auto industry’s most tech-focused vehicles is a gross understatement. Being computers on wheels, the electric car maker’s vehicles are capable of gaining new features over time. And just like with all things tech, these features, such as the security-focused Sentry Mode, are bound to get improvements after their release.
Introduced back in February, Sentry Mode taps into a Tesla’s suite of cameras to provide a set of watchful eyes around a vehicle while its owner is away. Videos captured by the feature have already been proven useful, with law enforcement using footage from Teslas to identify car thieves and vandals multiple times in the past.
With Tesla’s continuous pace of evolution, it will likely be only a matter of time before Sentry Mode receives an update that makes it more robust. One such potential upgrade was showcased during the recently-held Defcon hacker conference, with Model 3 owner and security researcher Truman Kain revealing one of his novel projects. Dubbed the Surveillance Detection Scout, Kain’s DIY computer essentially supercharges Sentry Mode and TeslaCam, turning a Tesla into a mobile surveillance unit.
Tesla Sentry Mode activated in a Model 3 (Photo: Austin Sellers via Youtube)
During his presentation, Kain noted that Scout allows Teslas to capture and analyze videos from their cameras using custom software and a $700 Nvidia Jetson Xavier mini-computer. The device utilizes Darknet as its machine learning engine, ALPR Unconstrained for recognizing license plates, and Facenet for tracking faces. The DIY device fits into the center console of a Model 3 or Model S, plugging into the vehicles’ dashboard USB port.
In a statement to WIRED, Kain highlighted that Scout uses software and hardware that is already available. “I’m not doing any cutting-edge AI. I’m just applying what’s already freely available, off the shelf,” he said.
The DIY solution allows Teslas to recognize and analyze license plate numbers and faces that are captured by its cameras, alerting owners if repeated plates and faces are detected. These alerts are then pushed through the IFTTT app. Kain notes that the system could have the potential to help Tesla owners, particularly those who have reason to believe that they are being followed or cased. “If it helps keeps someone safe, that’s great. If it lets me know that someone’s sneaking around my car, that’s also great,” he said.
A screenshot from Scout’s license plate tracking feature. (Credit: Tevora Threat Research/YouTube)
The potential privacy issues of such a project are notable. Scout essentially transforms a Tesla into a mobile surveillance unit, and this comes with potential ethical and legal issues. Automatic license plate reading capabilities will make Scout illegal in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Maine, and Georgia, for one, while its Google NEST-like facial recognition features will make it illegal in Illinois. And these are all before the idea of data sharing is discussed. That’s a completely different can of worms on its own.
In a message to Teslarati, Kain noted that the Surveillance Detection Scout is, ultimately, a means to raise awareness of what could be expected as more and more vehicles get Tesla-like security features. Tesla might be the only company that is constantly rolling out software updates like a Silicon Valley tech company, but with the advent of electrification, it will only be a matter of time before even veteran carmakers will jump into the internet-based active vehicle security bandwagon.
For Kain, among the worst-case scenarios would be a third party company creating a Scout-like device that would store customers’ data and sell them to market research firms. “There is a very real risk of some random guy like me or some small company having access to video and rich vehicle data for thousands or tens of thousands of Tesla’s if they package this up and market it as the ‘NEST cam for your Tesla’ – and like everything else these days, people would likely sign away the rights to the data in return for free service,” he mused.
While Tesla is not in the security business, Kain believes that it will only be a natural progression for the company to improve Sentry Mode to make it more robust. In a message, the security researcher mused that Tesla would likely introduce NEST-style capabilities, live viewing, and perhaps timeline reading, to its security features in the future. This is quite plausible, especially since Tesla already has access to its fleet’s data. The researcher noted that Tesla could, in the future, even monetize these upgraded security features as a paid service.
Overall, Kain states that he remains hopeful for Tesla and its future as a more prolific carmaker. “With all of that said, I love my car, support Tesla and Elon’s mission(s), and am simply trying to raise awareness around what may likely happen as more and more camera-equipped vehicles get on the road,” he wrote.
Watch a teaser for Scout’s capabilities in the video below.
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Tesla Model 3 owner creates a novel DIY solution for a supercharged Sentry Mode
After a three-day hearing, Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission has decided to approve the adoption of a zero-emissions vehicle mandate. With this landmark decision, Colorado has become the 10th state to join California’s ZEV program, which is expected to improve air quality in the region while pushing automakers to expand their electric car offerings.
The adoption of the ZEV mandate, which requires carmakers to roll out more zero-emissions vehicles, was met with widespread support from members of the commission. The results of the vote was 8-1, with Commissioner Tom Gonzales being the sole official who opposed the mandate. Nevertheless, in a statement to The Colorado Sun, Commissioner Auden Schendler from Basalt noted that the ZEV mandate is but a modest step forward.
“This is an important step forward. But frankly, it’s a modest step. I think it’s as important for what it does as for what it signals. One of the big signals is the fact that auto manufacturers said we support it, this is technically feasible, we can move forward. I think it’s going to add energy to the emissions reduction effort just when we need it,” Schendler said.
In a written statement, CO Gov. Jared Polis explained that he personally pushed for the state’s adoption of the ZEV mandate as a way to address and potentially reduce the subpar air quality in a number of the region’s urban areas. Accelerating the adoption of vehicles that do have no emissions such as battery-electric cars is among the ways to address this issue.
“In one of my first executive orders as governor, I asked for the Department of Public Health and Environment to increase the choices Coloradans have when it comes to purchasing electric cars by increasing the number of models available in our state, and we got it done within a few short months. It’s only the beginning. Colorado must continue to reduce smog and increase consumer choice,” the governor noted.
The approval of Colorado’s ZEV mandate did not come without opposition. During the hearing, several auto dealers noted that they must purchase vehicles from manufacturers, and when cars don’t sell, they end up losing money every day, thanks in no small part to interest and maintenance on the vehicles themselves. Others added that Colorado residents purchase SUVs and pickups, and these are simply rare in EV form. Tim Jackson, president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, argued that local dealerships stand to lose money if they give discounts to electric cars as well.
“Even though the vote was fairly overwhelming, there was a lot of concern that it doesn’t mean anything. But if it wasn’t going to be mean anything, then why do it because it will raise the price of cars that Coloradans want and need to buy,” Jackson said.
The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association president’s statement, if any, appears to discount the fact that there are a number of zero-emissions vehicles that are expected to make waves in the SUV and pickup segment. Tesla has the Model X as its resident SUV, and it will soon be joined by the Model Y crossover, which is far more affordable. The pickup truck segment is also set to be electrified, with vehicles such as the Tesla Pickup Truck, the Rivian R1T, and Ford’s very own electric F-150 expected to enter the market in the near future.
Amidst the widespread adoption of electric cars and the emergence of disruptive car companies such as Tesla, the number of dealerships across the United States has been seeing a notable decline. According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association, many of these dealers actually lose money on the sale of electric cars, especially considering that EVs are known for needing little maintenance. This is unfortunate for car dealers, as a notable part of their revenue comes from service and repairs.
