Tesla Model X News

Euro NCAP’s Technical Manager of Assisted Driving Systems, Adriano Palao, has criticised Tesla’s autopilot software, going so far as to say the suite is “misleading consumers about the system’s capabilities”.The fresh retort of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology comes as Euro NCAP detailed the differences in a variety of similar systems on the market, noting “some systems are more user-centric and safe than others”.Performance testing for the Model S - which is no longer sold in Australia - had the safety body determining that it performed poorly awarding it just 30 per cent for its Assistance Competence score.The Assistance Competence score ranks autonomous features for their performance, clarity of information, how they communicate capability limitations, driver monitoring, and driver collaboration. It is distinguished from the Safety Backup score, which ranks how the systems avoid a collision in a variety of situations, as well as when a sensor is blocked or the driver is unresponsive.The body noted it was jarring the Model S scored an Excellent 94 per cent for its Safety Backup score, but just 30 per cent for Assistance Competence.Euro NCAP said not only does Tesla name the system Autopilot and suggest full automation in its promotional material, but also noted the system’s steering input was resistant to driver attempts to override it, and upon doing so, the entire system automatically disengages, “limiting its usefulness”.The body also noted issues with the centrally-mounted touchscreen, in that the driver had to take their eyes off the road to view alerts.Euro NCAP ultimately said: “Tesla is misleading consumers about their autopilot system’s capabilities simply through its name and marketing, which could have potential safety implications.”Tesla was not the only company marketed on its safety credentials who came under fire in the latest round of autonomous system testing. Even Volvo’s new EX30 crossover was in the firing line, with the safety body earmarking similar concerns about its autonomous driving tech.The EX30 performed better than the Tesla in the Assistance Competence score, landing at 62 per cent, although was marked down for similar reasons to the Model S, it recorded a score less than the Tesla for its Safety Backup, at 72 per cent.Both cars, alongside the MG ZS, were awarded an overall Moderate rating for their active safety suites. Other cars considered in the round of testing included the Kia EV3, Porsche Macan, and Toyota bZ4X, all of which received a Very Good overall score, while the Mazda CX-80 and Xpeng G9 recorded a Good overall rating.Euro NCAP’s latest round of autonomous driving feature testing comes as the technology proliferates across a much wider spectrum of the market. Many brands now spruik some level of autonomous driving through an advanced cruise control suite, although as Euro NCAP notes, not all of these systems are created equal, and just ticking feature boxes does not always result in a safer system.In addition to more thorough testing of autonomous driving systems, Euro NCAP will also include standards for automakers to include physical buttons and dials from 2026, labelling the overuse of touchscreens an “industry-wide problem, raising the risk of distraction crashes”.Euro NCAP said the new protocols will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.Under the new protocols, cars will be marked down by not including physical switches for indicators, hazard lights, the horn, operating windscreen wipers, and activating the SOS function.

Tesla's future hopes hinge on these two products, but is it a realistic expectation that autonomous cars will be on the roads by 2026?

Tesla is the target of a massive ‘recall’ - if it can really be called that - in China, as the nation’s government compels the electric car brand to reimplement some features that no longer exist in its models.

Right-hand drive production for the Tesla Model S and Model X has been put on ice for the foreseeable future, leaving plenty of intending Tesla customers around the world - and here in Australia - left without a delivery coming for their long-held orders.

Tesla has removed from its Australian website the ability to place a deposit for a new Model S or Model X electric car without an announcement or correspondence explaining the change.Only earlier this week were customers able to put a deposit of $350 down

Tesla has taken the angle grinder to its pricing for the two more premium cars in its stable, the Model S sedan and Model X SUV, with its pricing in the US dropping by about a fifth for each.

Tesla is bucking the trend by making its most popular cars more affordable, but it faces increased competition over the course of 2023.

When it comes to luxury cars in Australia the market is dominated by the ‘Big Three Germans’ - Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Or at least, it was.

Yes, that headline will surely make the keyboards fire up with a mixture of ‘I told you so’ and ‘how dare you doubt Tesla’ - but let’s all take a deep breath and ask ourselves that question in a neutral tone.

Criticising Tesla is a fast track to some online retribution for devout Teslarati, and I’m sure the headline will get me some unpleasant feedback in the comments and on social media. So, let me start by saying this - I was a big Tesla fan in the not-too-distant past.