xAI’s Grok AI Model has been receiving rapid updates, similar to Tesla’s FSD. After waiting for a major update, the latest version—Grok 3—is set to launch with a live demo on February 17th.
Grok 3 is supposed to bring big improvements, as xAI has changed its approach to training the Large Language Model (LLM). Unlike many other LLMs, Grok can access real-time information and adapt its answers based on the latest news and discussions happening on X’s platform, making it more suited for current events or breaking news.
At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Elon also mentioned that Grok 3 is already outperforming its competitors, so there is a lot to look forward to. Let’s dig into the new capabilities and then see why they matter to Tesla drivers.
New Capabilities
This time, Grok is set to feature self-correction, reinforcement learning, and synthetic datasets. Self-correction allows Grok to identify and fix its own mistakes, with human oversight ensuring that the process is guided. This helps refine Grok’s future responses as part of its ongoing training.
Reinforcement learning, meanwhile, rewards or penalizes the AI based on its actions. When it performs correctly, it receives a reward, reinforcing that behavior; penalties reduce the likelihood of undesirable actions. Combined with new synthetic datasets, xAI can accelerate Grok’s training process, much like how Tesla’s AI team has been refining FSD. There’s definitely a lot of overlap between the two.
Voice Support
Grok is one of the few remaining publicly available AIs that doesn’t have a live-voice mode. Its competitors - including Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT - both have live voice response and reasoning and will also integrate and hook into 3rd-party services over voice.
Musk has previously stated that all Tesla vehicles will eventually receive Grok as a Smart Voice Assistant—one far more capable than the current voice command system.
Tonight’s demo, at 8 pm PT is expected to be live, potentially showing off the integration into Tesla vehicles. Millions of existing Tesla vehicles worldwide could soon take advantage of Grok as a voice assistant. There’s even a rumor of a wake word for the feature — potentially Grok.
Grok’s real-time capabilities mean you could ask it to add a stop to your route for food at the highest-rated local restaurant with minimal wait. Grok would gather and process that information while your car drives itself, then update your route, allowing FSD to take you directly there. You’ll also be able to ask general knowledge questions, such as the weather for tomorrow or the price of Tesla stock.
Controlling the vehicle will also be greatly upgraded. While the current voice command system can handle simple tasks like “Open Charge Port” or “Turn on Defrost,” the new system should be able to handle more complex requests and allow drivers to ask things in a more natural way.
We expect to find out more about Grok in Teslas tonight. Even if the demo tonight doesn’t specifically mention Tesla, a look at Grok’s new abilities could be a first look at what we’ll soon be able to experience in our Teslas.
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After announcing the Long Range RWD Cybertruck for Saudi Arabia, Tesla left everyone speculating when the new RWD variant would launch in North America.
After just a day since launching in Saudi Arabia, Tesla has officially launched the Rear-Wheel Drive variant of the Cybertruck in the U.S.
The RWD variant is a toned-down and simplified version aimed at a lower price than the AWD, sacrificing several key features for affordability.
Let’s take a look at what’s been cut and what’s changed between the trim variants.
Feature Cut
The updated specs for the RWD variant now provide 350 miles of range, with up to 362 with the new optional soft tonneau cover - more on that later. The 0-60mph acceleration is 6.2s, which is acceptable but not the fastest Tesla on the block. Tesla has also removed the adaptive air suspension - meaning this is the first Cybertruck on a coil suspension. This has also impacted the overall payload capacity, dropping it to 2,007 lbs (from 2,500 lbs on the AWD).
With a reduced tow capacity of 7,500 lbs (down from 11,000 lbs on the AWD), we expect that this will be a deal-breaker or deal-maker for many, as it can tow double of what the Class II hitch on the Model X and Model Y can - but not enough to tow big trailers.
While this a single-motor vehicle, there is still a diff-locker available for off-roading. We expect a limited variant of Off-Road Mode to be available on this Cybertruck.
Interior Differences
On the inside, Tesla has definitely trimmed to meet the new price point. The rear screen has been removed, and the seats are now cloth textile. With the loss of the leather, the seats are also no longer ventilated - but the front seats are still heated. They’ve also cut down on the sound system - from 15 speakers to just 7, including a subwoofer, on this trim. That also cuts out the active noise cancellation.
The HEPA filter and Bio-Weapon Defense mode have also been removed, along with the two 120V outlets inside the cabin.
Truck Bed
The bed of the truck also sees some differences, with the biggest being the removal of the bed outlets - and, oddly enough, they’re not an option, either. This is a big loss - Tesla should have at least kept them as an optional add-on because they’re one of the best use cases of the Cybertruck. However, this truck still supports Powershare, and the new Powershare Outlet Adapter is launching alongside it.
Tesla has also removed the bed’s L-Track and LED lightbars in favor of simpler LED lamps on either side.
Finally, on the exterior, the Cybertruck RWD has lost its rear lightbar, keeping only the turn signal lights and a center brake light. Tesla has also removed the signature lights on the front of the truck - there are standard headlights there instead.
No more rear lightbar. We're not sure how this will look on the roads just yet!
Not a Tesla App
Available Options
The new standard wheels are 18”, but the tires make up for the remainder to keep the same 35” total size. 20” Cyber Wheels and covers are available for $3,500. Interestingly, Tesla is honoring the discounted FSD early-reservation holder price of just $7,000. If you’re not a reservation holder, FSD will be an additional $8,000.
The new 18
Not a Tesla App
The Cybertruck Long Range RWD isn’t shipping with a tonneau cover. Instead, it will be available on the Tesla Shop (or during the ordering process) for $750 as a soft cover, which offers up to a 12-mile improvement in range. The soft cover is manual and water resistant.
The Soft Tonneau in all its glory.
Not a Tesla App
Pricing & Availability
Tesla has cut out major features of the Cybertruck to be able to offer it at a lower price. However, the price is not as low as many would have liked to see. The RWD Long Range version will sell for $69,990 ($62,490 after the Federal EV Rebate). While there are a lot of removed features for just a $10k price reduction, the truck can still be a good option for those looking to adventure or do light towing. The one bright spot for the RWD variant is the improved range thanks to the truck being lighter.
This variant will begin shipping in the United States in June/July 2025, and we expect it to become available in Canada and Mexico in the coming weeks or months as well.
In a one-two punch fashion today, Tesla has announced two big pieces of news, one after the other. First off, Tesla has officially launched in Saudi Arabia, but more importantly, it has also announced plans to introduce the Long Range RWD Cybertruck.
— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) April 10, 2025
Saudi Arabia Launch
Tesla vehicles are now, for the first time - barring third-party imports - available for direct sale to customers in Saudi Arabia, beginning with the refreshed Model 3 and the refreshed Model Y.
Tesla has also stated that the Cybertruck will be launched in late 2025, which brings us to our second piece of news.
RWD Cybertruck Has Different Features
Tesla unveiled the Long Range Rear Wheel Drive Cybertruck on the Middle East website, which is scheduled to be available in the late 2025 timeline. This is more than a single motor variant of the Cybertruck. The RWD version of the truck is not only lighter than the AWD version, but also features different specs.
Unfortunately, pricing is not available at this time for any of the versions in Saudi Arabia, so we can’t estimate the North American price either, but this will be something a lot of potential buyers have their eye on.
Here are the specs of the Long Range RWD version and how it compares to the AWD Cybertruck (be sure to scroll horizontally on mobile).
Variant
Range
Towing
Weight
Acceleration
(0-100km/h)
Top Speed
Max Ground Clearance
LR RWD
350 mi (563km)
3,402 kg
2,775 kg
6.6s
112 mph (180km/h)
243mm
LR AWD
325 mi (523km*)
4,990 kg
3,009 kg
4.3s
112 mph (180km/h)
406mm
Cyberbeast
320 mi (515 km)
4,990 kg
3,113 kg
2.7s
130 mph (209km/h)
406mm
*The Foundation-Series Cybertruck AWD is rated at 560km of range.
No Air Suspension, No Rear Screen
Not a Tesla App
One of the immediate things to notice in the Long Range RWD variant Cybertruck is the fact that it does not include an air suspension or rear screen. Tesla has removed the air suspension and will likely fit the truck with a much cheaper regular suspension in order to cut costs. This will likely come alongside other changes to the interior trims, as well as changes to the bed outlets and tonneau cover.
We expected the LR RWD version to launch with fewer features, as it tries to appeal to more buyers, such as work-truck purchasers or those who want a fantastic EV truck but without all the extras that are essential for off-roading or track use.
The LR RWD also comes with the option of 18” rims - a new wheel size that isn’t currently available for other versions. These wheels also come with Cybertruck-themed and hex-styled aero covers and look to be the same or similar tires mounted on them based on the pictures on Tesla’s site.
We don’t have any news yet on when this version will be available in North America, but given that Tesla will be producing it at Giga Texas, a North American launch can’t be too far behind.
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