Netflix's latest apocalyptic thriller, "Leave the World Behind," has stirred some fears about cars that are too technologically advanced, which means Tesla takes a starring role. Spoiler alert: if you haven’t watched it, I will give away some details.
The film portrays a world teetering on the brink of technological collapse. Amidst this chaos, a memorable scene has the characters dodging a fleet of Model 3s. The cars have been hacked, and operating under full self-driving (FSD) are now smashing into one another, causing traffic jams along all major freeways. Netflix used the scene starring Julia Roberts to promote the movie on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X.
Elon Musk, always one to engage directly with public discourse about his companies, responded to this portrayal on social media. Rather than addressing the depicted nightmare scenario head-on, Musk highlighted the resilience of Tesla vehicles in extreme conditions. He emphasized their ability to charge from solar panels, even in a dystopian, fuel-deprived world. While not directly tackling the depicted misuse of Tesla's FSD capabilities, this response subtly reassures the public of Tesla's utility and foresight in dire circumstances.
It is doubtful that many of you predicted that Model 3s would show up in an end-of-day movie, considering Tesla just started rolling out Cybertruck, a vehicle that would do well in a movie like that. After the bulletproof video demonstration during the delivery event, Musk said, “Sometimes you get these late civilization vibes, you know the apocalypse could come along at any moment, and here at Tesla, we have the finest in apocalypse technology.”
Community Notes Strikes Again
The Netflix post was ‘community noted’ on X. A user, likely a big Tesla fan, pointed out that Tesla's website clearly states that while their vehicles possess FSD capabilities and the necessary hardware, FSD currently operates as a Level 2 assistant feature. This means a driver must always be present and ready to take control. The system is designed to disengage if it detects no driver interaction. This safeguard starkly contrasts the autonomous anarchy depicted in the film. Where is the fun in that?
The Reality of the Situation
While sensational, Netflix's portrayal echoes public fears about the reliability and security of autonomous vehicles. The scene from "Leave the World Behind" taps into anxieties about smart technology and its potential misuse. In reality, accidents involving Teslas potentially with Autopilot engaged are under investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seemingly in constant contact with Tesla about autonomous driving. It's a potent reminder that as technology evolves, so must our understanding and regulations governing it.
For Tesla and Elon Musk, the movie provides an opportunity to reassess public perceptions and address concerns head-on. As "Leave the World Behind" shows, the road ahead is as much about managing fears and perceptions as it is about advancing technology.
Tesla’s latest software update, version 2025.2, brings new features to Service Mode, continuing the trend of improving in-vehicle diagnostics.
Currently, this feature is only available for vehicles with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems and requires Service Mode+, which is a subscription service aimed at technicians. Intel-powered vehicles aren’t supported yet, but we expect this feature to roll out to them as well unless hardware limitations prevent it.
Thanks to Spencer for providing an image of the panel in action.
Signal Viewer Panel
While update 2025.2.6 adds four service mode improvements, including updates to brake burnishing, charge port calibration, and noise recording panel improvements. In this article, we’ll focus on the new signal viewer panel.
This new panel offers a live data feed from selectable vehicle sensors. You select the signals you’re interested in and it’ll plot the signal on a graph. In addition to allowing you to view real-time signal data, it also allows you to record them.
The signals are searchable and can be easily added or removed from the panel. You can track up to 10 sensors, and the UI allows three of them to be viewable at once.
However, this is Service Mode and it’s more than just pretty looks. You can really dig down into these charts. You can pan them left and right through time, and tapping a specific point shows the exact value of that signal. The panel also supports pinch-to-zoom, enabling you to adjust the time scale across all panels simultaneously.
This feature is exclusive to Service Mode+, which requires a subscription to Tesla’s ToolBox3 software and a connection to a computer. It’s designed to help technicians diagnose issues related to signal quality, noise in the vehicle’s electrical systems, and signal variance in components during driving.
Tesla has updated its Model Y lineup in Europe, introducing new standard configurations while discontinuing the limited-edition Launch Series. With the new variants now available, European customers will have more choices and cheaper options to pick from.
The Launch Series and some of its exclusive features will no longer be offered—except in the UK, where it remains available alongside the new lineup.
New Models Introduced
Tesla’s new Model Y lineup in Europe includes three main variants. The prices vary slightly from country to country.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Priced at €44,990, this model is the most affordable new Model Y, but it also has the shortest range and is missing a few features available on other trim levels.
Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD): Available for €49,990, this version is essentially the same as the RWD model, but with a larger battery. It has seen a €1,000 price increase compared to the outgoing Long Range RWD model.
Long Range All-Wheel Drive (LR AWD): At €52,990, this model has seen a price drop of €2,000, making it a better deal than the previous LR AWD Model Y. This is also the only new Model Y to come with most of the same features as the Launch Series, including additional speakers, a subwoofer, premium materials inside the cabin and improved acceleration. Acceleration boost should also become available for this model, letting it match the performance of the Launch Series.
All Model Y variants come with all the improvements that we’ve discussed about the new Model Y, including the new front and rear light bars, improved aerodynamics, ventilated seats, improved heat and sound isolation, and the 8-inch rear touchscreen. Some exclusive options, like the Midnight Cherry Red paint, appear to no longer be available. However, Tesla has already said that they’ll be introducing new paint options for the Model Y in North America.
Compare Model Y Variants
Here’s how the various Model Y variants compare to each other:
Launch Series
LR AWD
LR RWD
RWD
Range (WLTP)
353mi (568km)
364mi (568km)
387mi (622km)
311mi (500 km)
Acceleration (0 to 60 mph)
4.1s (includes Acceleration Boost)
4.8s
5.6s
5.9s
Audio
15 speakers + subwoofer
15 speakers + subwoofer
9 speakers
9 speakers
Interior
Premium materials
Premium materials
Fabric door trim
Fabric door trim
Weight
4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)
4,402 lbs (1,997 kg)
4,191 lbs (1,901 kg)
4,250 lbs (1,928 kg)
Power Consumption
15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)
15.3 kWh/62 mi (100km)
14.2 kWh/62 mi (100km)
13.9 kWh/62 mi (100km)
Tow Hitch
Included
Optional
Optional
Optional
Supercharging Power
250 kW max
250 kW max
250 kW max
175 kW max
Charging Speed
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
165 mi (266 km) in 15 mins
148 mi (238 km) in 15 mins
Battery Warranty
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 120k mi
8 years or 100k mi
Extras
FSD + Acceleration Boost + Puddle Lights + LS badges + Free Upgrade to Helix wheels
None
None
None
Availability
Late February
March
June
May-June
Price
€60,990
€52,990
€49,990
€44,990
Launch Series Ends
Not a Tesla App
The Launch Series, which debuted just weeks ago in Europe, has now been phased out. This limited-edition model was priced at €60,990 and included a suite of premium features comparable to a bundle deal you may find with other products. It came equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD), Acceleration Boost, and exclusive badging on the rear liftgate, door sill plates, and puddle lights.
While the Launch Series is no longer available for new orders in most European countries, customers can still get a similar vehicle by opting for the Long Range AWD model and manually adding premium features like FSD. Acceleration Boost, which was standard in the Launch Series, is expected to become available for purchase once these vehicles are delivered or soon afterward. However, some exclusive elements, such as badging and trim details, will remain unique to the discontinued edition.
For now, the UK remains an exception, still offering the Launch Series alongside the newly introduced models.
Performance Model Still to Come
With Tesla now introducing the expected variants of the refreshed Model Y, one notable absence is the Performance model. While the Launch Series was fast due to the Acceleration Boost addon, there’s no doubt the Performance version will be in a league of its own.
What we saw Tesla do with the 2024+ Model 3 Performance variant was more than just using binned motors. The vehicle featured unique bumpers, a spoiler, an improved suspension, sport seats, Track Mode V3 and other features that made the vehicle stand out compared to the Model 3 AWD.
The Performance version of the new Model Y is expected to become available later this year, however, expect it to carry a $5-$8k premium over the AWD model.
Other Regions to Follow
As Europe phases out the Launch Series, other regions are expected to see similar changes. With the other models now revealed, owners in other regions have a better idea of whether they should buy the Launch Series or wait for the additional models to arrive.
Tesla naturally adjusts its offerings based on market demand, and if sales of the Launch Series remain strong in other parts of the world, Tesla will likely wait it out a little longer before offering the other models.
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