New information is uncovered about these brand-new Tesla Roadsters
GruberMotors (Edited by NATA)
In an update to our previous coverage of a remarkable automotive discovery, the bidding period for the three untouched 2010 Tesla Roadsters has been extended. Originally set to close on May 26th, 2023, potential buyers now have until midnight on June 2nd, 2023 to submit their bids, as the vetting of bidders takes longer than anticipated. This auction is making waves in the collector and electric vehicle community worldwide, as these Roadsters serve as relics of a pivotal era in EV history.
Unraveling the Mystery: New Updates and Discoveries
In a series of additional information released on the auction site, several intriguing details have emerged, deepening the narrative surrounding these unique Teslas. Each vehicle comes with its respective Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. A trio of brand new Clipper Creek TS-70 Roadster Wall Chargers still in their original boxes and other Tesla items in bubble wrap are part of the auction lot.
The Enigmatic Fourth Roadster: A Story Unfolding
Investigations into two accompanying crates have revealed intriguing references to a missing fourth Roadster, VIN 1185. This vehicle was rumored to be part of the original shipment but has yet to be located. The crates contained various large parts such as wheels, tires, a complete door assembly, headlight assemblies, and numerous smaller body trim parts, with labels pointing to VIN 1185.
The original plan for these Roadsters was for them to be used by an R&D center of a Chinese auto company that later went bankrupt. The intent was to disassemble the cars for reverse engineering. Instead, these time capsules of Tesla's early history survived intact and are now up for grabs by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The Hunt for the Keys: An Unexpected Hurdle
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the auction, the keys to these untouched Roadsters have become a minor mystery. Originally believed to be held in one of the port offices, retrieval efforts were hampered by the unfortunate passing of the manager who was in possession of them. As a result, the keys are currently missing.
However, the sellers have assured potential buyers that if the keys cannot be located, they will take the necessary steps to replace them. This unexpected hurdle delayed plans to open the cars and trunks for further detailed photographs. Despite this minor setback, the ongoing search for the keys contributes an additional layer of fascination to the unfolding story of these vintage Roadsters.
The Relocation and Future of the Roadsters
While the quest for the keys to the Roadsters continues, the vehicles themselves are being prepared for their next journey. The Roadsters are set to be relocated into new sea containers, ready for shipping either directly to the successful bidder or to a free zone in Dubai, devoid of viewing permit requirements.
The sellers have considered the stipulation by some bidders that the Roadsters needed to be in the USA before bidding. Thus, the Roadsters could be sold out of China, Dubai, or eventually the USA, depending on the circumstances.
These Tesla Roadsters stand as enduring symbols of a watershed moment in the automotive industry and Tesla's ambitious journey. As their past unravels and their future hangs in the balance, these cars offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of automotive history. This auction presents an unmissable opportunity for avid collectors, Tesla fans, and EV enthusiasts worldwide.
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Tesla’s been on a roll with Supercharger improvements lately, from the 325kW charging update for the Cybertruck, to 500kW with V4 Superchargers coming next year. While those improvements have been limited to the Cybertruck, Tesla didn’t put all their focus on their new flagship vehicle, but looked at their more affordable vehicles as well.
LFP Battery Heating
Tesla’s Superchargers can now heat LFP Batteries - those that are in the Model 3 and Model Y Rear Wheel Drive variants. This applies to Long Range and Standard Range models, which saw a limited run. This is another update included as part of the 2024 Tesla Holiday Update - which really arrived with a lot of unannounced new features and capabilities.
The change is pretty interesting - Superchargers of the V3 and V4 variety can now pre-heat batteries for Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with LFP battery packs. That means those vehicles are able to get back on the road faster when it's extremely cold. Of course, Tesla still advises you to precondition before you arrive, saving drivers time and money.
Max de Zegher, Tesla’s Director of Charging, also commented on the new feature. Essentially, Tesla is inducing an AC (alternating) ripple current through the battery to warm it up. Keep in mind that Superchargers are DC charging. That means it is possible to get a cold-soaked LFP vehicle on the road 4x faster than before, assuming that it didn’t precondition at all and that it is in the worst-case scenario (below 0ºF).
In essence, Tesla is using some engineering magic to turn the circuits inside the LFP battery into an electric heater - and powering that heater through the Supercharger. An AC ripple current is a small oscillation in the DC charging current that generates heat through electrical resistance, warming up the battery. Those ripples are a byproduct of converting AC to DC and back - so Tesla is using the onboard charger to induce those ripples to warm up the battery. Definitely an innovative technique that’s really only possible with the versatility of the NACS connector.
We’re hoping Tesla can implement this across their full lineup of vehicles, but we’ll have to wait and see how it is trialed across LFP vehicles first and if it is even possible on vehicles with 2170 or 4680 battery packs.
Tesla launched two FSD updates simultaneously on Saturday night, and what’s most interesting is that they arrived on the same software version. We’ll dig into that a little later, but for now, there’s good news for everyone. For Hardware 3 owners, FSD V12.6.1 is launching to all vehicles, including the Model 3 and Model Y. For AI4 owners, FSD V13.2.4 is launching, starting with the Cybertruck.
FSD V13.2.4
A new V13 build is now rolling out to the Cybertruck and is expected to arrive for the rest of the AI4 fleet soon. However, this build seems to be focused on bug fixes. There are no changes to the release notes for the Cybertruck with this release, and it’s unlikely to feature any changes when it arrives on other vehicles.
FSD V12.6.1 builds upon V12.6, which is the latest FSD version for HW3 vehicles. While FSD V12.6 was only released for the redesigned Model S and Model X with HW3, FSD V12.6.1 is adding support for the Model 3 and Model Y.
While this is only a bug-fix release for users coming from FSD V12.6, it includes massive improvements for anyone coming from an older FSD version. Two of the biggest changes are the new end-to-end highway stack that now utilizes FSD V12 for highway driving and a redesigned controller that allows FSD to drive “V13” smooth.
It also adds speed profiles, earlier lane changes, and more. You can read our in-depth look at all the changes in FSD V12.6.
Same Update, Multiple FSD Builds
What’s interesting about this software version is that it “includes" two FSD updates, V12.6.1 for HW3 and V13.2.4 for HW4 vehicles. While this is interesting, it’s less special when you understand what’s happening under the hood.
The vehicle’s firmware and Autopilot firmware are actually completely separate. While a vehicle downloading a firmware update may look like a singular process, it’s actually performing several functions during this period. First, it downloads the vehicle’s firmware. Upon unpacking the update, it’s instructed which Autopilot/FSD firmware should be downloaded.
While the FSD firmware is separate, the vehicle can’t download any FSD update. The FSD version is hard-coded in the vehicle’s firmware that was just downloaded. This helps Tesla keep the infotainment and Autopilot firmware tightly coupled, leading to fewer issues.
What we’re seeing here is that HW3 vehicles are being told to download one FSD version, while HW4 vehicles are being told to download a different version.
While this is the first time Tesla has had two FSD versions tied to the same vehicle software version, the process hasn’t actually changed, and what we’re seeing won’t lead to faster FSD updates or the ability to download FSD separately. What we’re seeing is the direct result of the divergence of HW3 and HW4.
While HW3/4 remained basically on the same FSD version until recently, it is now necessary to deploy different versions for the two platforms. We expect this to be the norm going forward, where HW3 will be on a much different version of FSD than HW4. While each update may not include two different FSD versions going forward, we may see it occasionally, depending on which features Autopilot is dependent on.
Thanks to Greentheonly for helping us understand what happened with this release and for the insight into Tesla’s processes.
