Monday, April 21, 2025

Polished JAKEe CyberTruck Look...


Polished JAKEe CyberTruck Look

I recently came across a stunning, freshly polished CyberTruck on Facebook, owned by Dave Peck. It already featured a lightbar and running boards, but I couldn’t resist adding my JAKEe touch. I installed my JAKEe Rear Sail Window Panel and framed the bottom window sills in black—and wow, it looks absolutely incredible!

That being said, I am on the fence with the running boards. They look kind of cool, but at the same time conflict with the streamlined look of the CyberTruck by giving it kind of strange looking love handles.

I couldn't help but be curious about what a polished CyberTruck with my original JAKEe two-tone black wrapped bottom design would look like so I created the image below, which looks pretty sick!!!!

Below is the original image Dave Peck shared on Facebook of his CyberTruck, which still looks impressive. However, I believe the sail panels and blacked-out window sill wrap, as shown above, elevate its appearance a million times over. Polishing the CyberTruck’s steel costs a bit more than a PPF wrap, but the result is undeniably worth it. My sail wrap, which should cost around $500 to install, completely transforms the CyberTruck into a breathtaking masterpiece.

Below is another photo of Dave's polished CyberTruck that I added my JAKEe rear sail windows to.


Below is the original photo before I added the JAKEe rear sail window, just for frame of reference.


Pictured below we see a different polished CyberTruck I added my JAKEe Sail window to. I think Tesla should offer a special version of the CyberTruck with the polished mirror finish as it just looks so cool...Note the polished CyberTruck pictured below lacks the top front facing lightbar...


And again, we see the original version before I added my JAKEe Sail panel and black raccoon eye trim. I have to admit I have fallen deeply in love with the chrome look of the polished stainless steel CyberTruck!!!!



Saturday, April 19, 2025

My Take on the New 2WD Cybertruck: A HUGE Disappointing Step Backward


My Take on the New 2WD Cybertruck 

A HUGE Disappointing Step Backward

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to hold off on purchasing a Cybertruck until Tesla releases an updated/refreshed version. This choice might seem surprising, especially since I was among the first to reserve a Cybertruck during the initial pre-order window at the 2019 launch event. So, why didn’t I follow through when I had the chance to be first in line?

Tesla’s approach with the Foundation Series left such a horrible taste in my mouth! The significant cash-grab price hike, paired with a drastic reduction in range—down to 300 miles from the promised 500 miles—was a major anti-climatic letdown. Talk about overpromising and underdelivering!?!!

I believe Tesla is on the verge of revamping the Cybertruck, likely introducing a second-generation/refreshed model with improved range and fixes for the beta issues that have plagued the first generation. Since I’ve already waited this long, I figure I might as well hold out a bit longer for a better version.

Let’s talk about the new “Long Range” 2WD Cybertruck. Frankly, I think it’s a massive disappointment, and Tesla has dropped the ball by stripping it down so much. Cloth seats with no ventilation, no powered tonneau cover, and a slew of missing features? 

This feels like another cash grab, and I’m deeply disappointed. When my local Tesla dealership reached out to gauge my interest in this new model, my response was blunt: “Even if you offered it to me for free—on the condition that I couldn’t sell it and had to drive it weekly—I’d still pass.” That’s how underwhelming I find this stripped-down CyberTruck. In my view, Tesla will struggle to sell many of these, and I hesitate to even call it a true CyberTruck.


Key Features Missing 

from Long Range 2WD CyberTruck

Let's take a closer look at what Tesla has removed from the 2WD Long Range model CyberTruck compared to the AWD version:

Drivetrain: The 2WD configuration is a major downgrade from the AWD. A rear-wheel-drive truck feels out of place for a vehicle marketed as a rugged, all-purpose machine. 2WD means you can't drive it safely on snow and the performance in rain is degraded, and forget about taking it off-road. To my way of thinking, all vehicles in 2025 should come standard with AWD, kind of like ABS Brakes are standard today.

Performance: The 2WD takes 6.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, compared to the AWD’s 4.1 seconds. For a truck that’s supposed to be a powerhouse, this sluggish acceleration is unacceptable.

Towing Capacity: The 2WD’s towing capacity is reduced to 7,500 pounds, down from the AWD’s 11,000 pounds, limiting its utility for heavy-duty tasks.

Tonneau CoverThe Cybertruck’s iconic powered tonneau cover—known as the sliding “Vault”—stands as a cornerstone of its futuristic design and rugged utility. This robust, seamlessly integrated hard cover is a standard feature on the AWD model, delivering not only a sleek, cohesive aesthetic, but also unmatched security and durability for the truck’s bed. 

However, this hallmark feature is conspicuously absent on the 2WD model, replaced instead with an optional soft tonneau cover priced at $750. While the soft cover offers a modest range increase of up to 12 miles, it pales in comparison to the powered Vault, lacking the strength, protection, and visual impact that define the Cybertruck’s identity.

The omission of the powered tonneau cover in the 2WD variant isn’t just a minor spec difference—it’s a fundamental shift that completely dilutes the CyberTruck’s essence. The AWD’s standard hard cover reinforces the vehicle’s reputation as a bold, all-terrain powerhouse, while the 2WD’s soft alternative feels like a compromise, trading security and style for a marginal efficiency gain. This change not only undermines the 2WD model’s functionality but also strips away a key element that makes the Cybertruck instantly recognizable, leaving it as a less complete expression of Tesla’s groundbreaking vision.

Bed Lighting: The LED lights were removed from the RWD truck bed, which is totally lame.

Interior Quality: The 2WD comes with cloth seats instead of the AWD’s leatherette, and it lacks ventilated seats and rear heated seats, making the cabin feel cheap and uncomfortable. Cloth seats, in 2025!?!? 

Rear Infotainment: The 2WD model skips the rear infotainment screen, reducing its appeal for passengers.

Tire Design: The 2WD is equipped with oversized tires that, in my opinion, look awkward and detract from the vehicle’s aesthetic.

Rear Light Bar: The absence of the rear light bar makes the 2WD look incomplete and far less striking than its AWD counterpart.

HEPA Filter: The 2WD model lacks Tesla’s trademark Bioweapon Defense HEPA filter.

Suspension SystemThe Long Range RWD is equipped with a non-adjustable coil spring suspension with adaptive dampers, which might deliver a firmer ride and less adaptability for off-road adventures. Its ground clearance tops out at 9.57 inches. In contrast, the AWD boasts an adjustable air suspension, offering up to 16 inches of ground clearance in "Extract" mode, making it far more capable on rugged terrain.

Power OutletsThe RWD lacks the AWD’s bed power outlets (2x 120V and 1x 240V) and cabin outlets (2x 120V), limiting its ability to power tools or devices on the go—a big deal for work or camping scenarios.


A Misstep in the Making

Tesla’s 2WD Cybertruck Pricing Gamble

In summary, the 2WD Long Range Cybertruck feels like a neutered hollow shell of what the Cybertruck was meant to be. Tesla’s decision to cut these features may have lowered the retail price by $10,000, but it has also significantly diminished the vehicle’s appeal. This move feels like a calculated attempt to maximize profit margins by testing the market's willingness to pay for a stripped-down version of the Cybertruck. 

By leaving "zero cash on the table," Tesla is pushing the boundaries of what customers will accept. However, this strategy is likely to backfire. The 2WD model's lack of essential features—like the powered tonneau cover, AWD drivetrain, and premium interior—makes it a tough sell, even for die-hard Tesla fans. I anticipate that sales will be lackluster, forcing Tesla to drop the price by up to $20,000 in the coming months. 

The issue isn’t a lack of demand for the Cybertruck—it’s the glaring disconnect between price and features in this variant, and I see the same misstep looming for the AWD and Tri-Motor Beast. 

Tesla will likely roll out new AWD and Tri-Motor versions with cutting-edge 4680 batteries, keeping those sky-high prices unchanged, testing or monitoring price resistance—the exact same strategy Elon incorporated with the Model S refresh, where over the course of a year, he almost cut the price of the Plaid in half. Spoiler: it won’t work. 

With EV competition ramping up and wallets tightening, buyers won’t stomach paying a fortune for what’s essentially a battery upgrade. I predict this will flop, leaving Tesla no choice but to act fast. Picture Elon Musk hitting the panic button, slashing prices on both models by about $20,000 overnight—like a Cybertruck fire sale. That drastic drop will be the jolt needed to finally kick sales into gear, and ironically force Tesla to deliver on its original promise for the CyberTruck.


Elon’s Pricing Playbook

Maximizing Margins with Cybercab and Beyond

Tesla’s pricing strategy, orchestrated by Elon Musk, operates like a finely tuned supply-and-demand algorithm, with Musk’s intuitive sense of market timing as the critical variable. Take the buzz around Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab, for instance. Many speculate it will disrupt Uber by launching at a fraction of the cost, say $0.50 per mile against Uber’s $2.00. But I predict a different approach. When Cybercab debuts in Austin, its per-mile rate will likely match or exceed Uber’s, capitalizing on early adopter enthusiasm and Tesla’s premium brand. 

Over time—perhaps a decade—Tesla might gradually lower prices, potentially undercutting Uber by 20%, but never to the point of leaving significant profits untapped. This deliberate, high-margin strategy mirrors Tesla’s broader pricing philosophy, ensuring they maximize revenue while testing consumer willingness to pay for innovation. However, this approach misfired with the Cybertruck. 

About 9 months after Tesla began delivering CyberTrucks they boasted about breaking even on the Cybertruck’s entire cost structure, yet their aggressive cash-grab pricing—marked by steep hikes and stripped-down features—has stifled demand, proving that even Musk’s keen market timing can miss the mark when greed overshadows value. Instead, Tesla should have taken the opposite tack: delivering CyberTrucks at the original 2019 announced prices. 

Had Tesla priced the Cybertruck strategically, there would be lines snaking out the door and around the block today, with eager buyers clamoring to claim their futuristic pickup. Elon Musk once boasted of securing nearly 2 million pre-orders, a tidal wave of demand that promised to redefine the electric truck market. Yet, since deliveries began, Tesla has sold fewer than 50,000 CyberTrucks—a damning testament to how their pricing misstep and overzealous hype squandered monumental momentum.

The irony is almost surreal: when Tesla launched Cybertruck deliveries, they mandated that buyers sign an exclusive contract barring resale for a year, ostensibly to curb scalping and protect their vision. Now, a mere eighteen months later, Tesla struggles to move units in any meaningful volume, with unsold inventory piling up and resale values plummeting. This stark reversal—from draconian resale restrictions to a desperate scramble for buyers—lays bare the miscalculation that turned a potential blockbuster into a cautionary tale of hubris in the EV market.


A Theory on the Battery Technology

My hypothesis is that the Long Range 2WD Cybertruck is the first to feature Tesla’s long-awaited new dry battery cathode electrode 4680 cells, which are significantly cheaper to produce than the previous generation used in the Foundation Series. This theory is based on a tweet from Tesla employee Michael Guilfoy, who recently shared:

    "Been waiting to acknowledge this great achievement by Tesla's 4680 Cell Manufacturing team since the end of last year... As Elon announced last night, our Cell Manufacturing team in Texas reached a huge milestone at the end of 2024 with becoming the lowest cost per kWh battery cell producer for Tesla!"

From what I understand, this new battery pack alone reduces the manufacturing cost of the Cybertruck by approximately $12,000. To the best of my knowledge, Tesla has not disclosed the kWh size of this new battery, but I suspect it’s similar to the older models. There’s also significant room in the Cybertruck’s battery pack area for taller batteries, like a 46/110 configuration. 

I believe Tesla will soon launch a refreshed AWD Cybertruck with a range of around 420 miles, retailing for about $10,000 less than the current model. This mid-2025 refresh would address many of the shortcomings of the initial vehicles, which felt like beta testers, while offering better value. 


Tesla Cybertruck 2025

Pioneering Wireless Charging and Refining a Beta Revolution

I believe the updated mid/late-2025 Cybertruck will introduce Tesla’s highly anticipated wireless charging system, a technology refined over years to mirror the seamless efficiency of smartphone wireless chargers. This system will likely be integrated into all Tesla Supercharger stations and offered as a home garage solution. 

The charging process will be fully automated: upon entering a garage or approaching a Supercharger, the Cybertruck will autonomously align itself with pinpoint precision over a charging pad, using advanced sensors to optimize connection with the vehicle’s underbody charging puck. 

Ironically, all Cybertrucks produced to date are reportedly pre-wired for this innovative system, ensuring compatibility and enabling a smooth transition to this game-changing feature, which will enhance convenience and redefine the EV charging experience.

My perspective is that, despite the awe-inspiring innovation of the Foundation Series Cybertruck—which, from personal experience, I’d argue is among the greatest vehicles ever crafted—these early models have effectively served as beta testers for the Cybertruck platform. 

The cutting-edge technologies introduced, such as the dry cathode 4680 cells and pre-wired wireless charging compatibility, are poised to cascade into Tesla’s 2025 Model S and Model X refreshes. These upcoming models are expected to incorporate advanced features like bi-directional charging and all-wheel steering, leveraging the Cybertruck’s pioneering advancements to elevate Tesla’s entire lineup.

Reflecting on advice I received in my early 20s from a friend’s father—“Never buy the first year or two of a new model until the kinks are ironed out”—I find it profoundly relevant to the Cybertruck. This wisdom guided my decision to await the refined 2025 refresh.

Among the Cybertruck’s initial design missteps, the rearview mirror’s woefully inadequate functionality emerges as a glaring flaw, undermining driver safety and situational awareness. A robust solution would be to replace the traditional mirror with a high-resolution rearview camera system, seamlessly integrated into a dynamic video display. Fed by a camera strategically mounted at the Cybertruck’s rear roofline, this system would deliver a crystal-clear, unobstructed view, unaffected by the tonneau cover’s obstruction of the rear window.

Equally perplexing is Tesla’s baffling oversight in equipping the Cybertruck with a front camera complete with a wet washer system, yet neglecting to include a similar washer for the rear camera. The Cybertruck’s rugged design naturally kicks up significant dirt and debris, rendering the rear camera virtually useless on dusty or muddy roads. Drivers are often forced to rely on the central touchscreen for a rearview feed—already a compromise given the tonneau cover’s defeat of the traditional mirror—only to find the display marred by a grime-covered lens, obscuring critical visibility. This inexplicable omission transforms a cutting-edge feature into a frustrating liability, highlighting a critical lapse in Tesla’s attention to real-world usability.

Another telltale sign of the Cybertruck’s early-adopter status is the delayed availability of the signature Lightbar, standard on the Foundation Series “Beast” tri-motor variant. As of late April 2025, Tesla is only now catching up on delivering these Lightbars to original owners, and they remain unavailable for separate purchase for 2025 AWD or 2WD Cybertruck buyers. This lag underscores the platform’s beta nature. Compounding the issue, Tesla plans to offer the Lightbar for all Cybertruck owners starting in June 2025 at a steep $2,500, including installation—a price that feels like an opportunistic cash grab and further highlights the growing pains of this revolutionary yet still-maturing vehicle.


Final Thoughts

As a longtime Tesla enthusiast—and self-proclaimed president of the Tesla fan club—I couldn’t be more disappointed with this model! For now, I’ll keep waiting for a Cybertruck that lives up to the original hype. It’s a complete bummer, but I remain confident that Tesla’s best days are still ahead. However, the way they’ve handled the Cybertruck launch has been a blunder, and I hope they learn from it.

Monday, April 14, 2025

Tesla Cyber Roadster with JAKEe Rear Sail Pyramid Window

 

Tesla Cyber Roadster

With JAKEe Rear Sail Pyramid Window



Tuesday, March 18, 2025

CyberTruck Looks Like a Lotus Esprit

 

CyberTruck Looks Like a Lotus Esprit

I know Elon Musk purchased James Bond's 1977 Louts Esprit that appeared in The Spy Who Loved me, and when I saw this image of a customized all white CyberTruck from Autographics, I had a deja vu moment, as I saw how remarkably similar it looks to James Bond's Lotus...On detail that is remarkably similar beside all the sharp lines is the Pontiac Fiero style abrupt rear side window shape...




Friday, March 7, 2025

Satin Frozen Ruby CyberTruck

 

Satin Frozen Ruby CyberTruck

I recently saw a CyberTruck that literally stopped me in its tracks as it was so beautiful! I parked in this garage, and got out of my car, and saw this magnificent beauty staring at me. The color of the PPF wrap is Satin Frozen Ruby, and it's from CyberTruckWraps.com. 


An hour later, when I was returning to my car, I started taking more photos of this beauty and just afterward I noticed the owners approaching their CyberTruck as I was exiting the parking garage and stopped in my Model S and I said, "It this your CyberTruck?" They looked at me with a kind of worried look, and said 'Yes'. It turns out they thought maybe I was going to hate on them, but then the husband said to the wife, 'You don't have to worry, he's driving a Tesla'. 


We had a great conversation, and the owner informed me that he wrapped it with CyberTruckWraps Satin Frozen Ruby, which is just gorgeous!! I looked down and noticed the CyberTruck wheel cap was completely off center and I snapped this photo.




Thursday, March 6, 2025

Tesla CyberVan Concept

 

Tesla CyberVan Concept

I hope Tesla comes out with a new Model X that has a similar for factor to the image below:


I noticed this Tesla CyberVan Concept in a goofy AI video on YouTube. So why am I including this? In my opinion the CyberTruck is currently the best vehicle ever made, with the Tesla Model S, coming in second, and the Model X coming in third. I think the Model X is an amazing car, but all the doors are absolutely horrible, especially the Falcon Wing Doors, which are horrendously terrible. Tesla recently confirmed they are coming out with an updated Model X, and I am hoping they will make a completely update model that has sliding rear doors, like a minivan, which would work 100 times better, and cost far less to make.


I think it would be cool if Tesla made a modular Model X design where the standard model would look like the one above, and would offer an extended wheelbase model with an even larger battery, and a luxurious third row that very comfortably seat people or serve as a camper, kind of like what we see in the goofy AI generated video below. I think the missing piece of the Tesla model puzzle is a vehicle that is designed to transport larger families. In other words, a larger Mini-Van that could comfortably seat 7 or 8 people.

I am including the original video below that this image came from, but I think since it's AI generated, it's pretty nonsensical, but I do like the way it look only in the image above, and I hope Tesla replaces the current Model X with a MiniVan-like design and if they nail it just right, it could displace the CyberTruck in universal appeal. I really hope and pray Tesla finally gets rid of those awful, stupid, terrible, useless falcon-wing doors.


Saturday, March 1, 2025

A Note on My JAKEe CyberTruck Sail Wrap

 

A Note on My JAKEe

CyberTruck Sail Rear Window Wrap

If you follow Jake's Tesla World you are probably familiar with my JAKEe CyberTruck design reference I created the evening that Elon first showed off the CyberTruck 6 years ago. When I first saw the CyberTruck I thought it looked amazing, but I thought the abrupt ending of the rear window shape that did not follow and complete the pyramid CyberTruck silhouette shape make it look cut off, like a Pontiac Fiero, or something...So I went crazy, and came up with my idea for a two tone wrap that is black on the bottom and silver on the top. Many people who have purchased CyberTrucks have adopted and incorporated my design ideas, and I recently discovered this one from Brian K. Sheets. 

I've spent many hundreds of hours deeply contemplating my JAKEe CyberTruck Design Reference look, and there is something I noticed that people did that made my design look a little off, and this article addresses this, and has some tips on how to enhance and overcome the challenge. The image above shows Jim's CyberTruck, with my rear sail window wrap idea, which he added, and it looks really cool, but it looks a little mismatched from certain angles. I figured out the way to overcome this challenge, and that is to continue the black wrap on the window ledge as pictured below, which has a mascara like effect. In other words, the original version pictured above looks kind of off as the rear sail window panel wrap does NOT line up with the rest of the pyramid panel structure. On the version below, which I added the black wrap along the window sill, makes it look completely aligned and cohesive.


My second tip, is I recommend that if somebody likes my JAKEe Wrap Design Reference for CyberTruck, it's important to wrap the Frunk in black also, which ads significant contrast that emphasizes the side triangle shape of the CyberTruck. Thus the image below has a Black Frunk wrap, as the versions pictured above lack the black Frunk, as they were left unwrapped in silver.


The image below shows how if you add the rear sail panel without adding the black wrap on the window sill, it can look like there is a mismatch, which is not a mismatch, it's just an optical illusion which makes the rear pyramid sail window look like it's not properly aligned and applied too low.

On the image below, I added my subtle black wrap on the window sills, and it makes a big difference, and makes it look like it's properly aligned from all angles.



Below is a excerpt from a recently published story that addressed this issue, so I thought I would add it for frame-of-reference: 


One More Thing

Mark asked me if anybody sells the side faux window panels already pre-cut, and I mentioned that T-Sportline offers them for sale, and they call them "Tesla Cybertruck Rear Window Fade Out PPF Wrap Kit", but I pointed out to Mark that from what I can tell from some angles these sail panels don't look right or look kinda crooked.


I believe the solution to optimizing this looks is to also wrap the flat window sill area with black, which completes the look as seen below. This makes it look much more cohesive and organic and makes the rear sail panel look more real. By tinting the windows and adding black wrap to the window sill, it also makes the CyberTruck look more masculine, kind of like the CyberTruck is wearing Sunglasses, and the extra black wrap has a mascara effect. Also, it doesn’t look like an afterthought sticker that got slapped on...


Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Tesla CyberTruck 5-Star Safety Rating from NHTA


Tesla CyberTruck

5-Star Safety Rating from NHTA

Tesla achieved a 5-Star Rating in crash testing from the United States National Highway and Transportation Association, and in this article we see some crazy photos of the Ramp test where the CyberTruck gets some serious air before it crashes...Also, the Tesla Video at the bottom of this article is INSANE!!!!!


Tuesday, February 18, 2025

JAKEe Mirror Polished CyberTruck with Pyramid Sail Wrap side Panels

 

JAKEe Mirror Polished CyberTruck

Design Reference 

with Pyramid Sail Wrap side Panels

Lately, I have fallen in love with the look of a mirror polished stainless steel CyberTruck look. Just to be clear, when I say mirror polished stainless steel CyberTruck, this is achieved by having a professional metal polisher literally polish the hell out of the stainless steel panels on a CyberTuck, which is typically a process that takes several days and cost between $4500 and $8500. The professional polisher first sans the CyberTruck, then buffs and polishes it to a mirror finish.

My friend Mark, from Mark of the Beast recently hand his Tri-Motor CyberTruck Beast polished, and I published a detailed story that includes videos of the fascinating process. I kept telling Mark he needs to add my JAKEe rear sail pyramid panel wrap piece to complete the shape of the pyramid for the windows. Today I saw this killer photo pictured below that somebody took of a Mirror Polished CyberTruck that was reflecting a modern mid engine C8 Corvette. 

I decided to clean up the photo by fixing the sky, and removing all the power cables and then I added my JAKEe Rear Window Sail Pyramid Panel to the picture above to show Mark how great I thought it would look on his Beast. Then I realized, how insanely great this looks, and now I have decided when I get my CyberTruck I am going to do exactly this. It looks so great, and so NEXT-LEVEL, I am even thinking about delaying doing my two-tone black bottom JAKEe wrap design, as I love this looks so much!!! 


I discovered this image on FaceBook and if I understand it correctly, the mirror polished CyberTruck is owned by Marcus Reno, and the photo was taken by Lisa Gipson Haag.

One More Thing

Mark asked me if anybody sells the side faux window panels already cut, and I mentioned that T-Sportline does, and they call them "Tesla Cybertruck Rear Window Fade Out PPF Wrap Kit", but I pointed out to Mark that from what I can tell from some angles these sail panels don't look right or look kinda crooked.


I believe the solution to optimizing this looks is to also wrap the flat window sill area with black, which completes the look as seen below. This makes it look much more cohesive and organic and makes the rear sail panel look more real. By tinting the windows and adding black wrap to the window sill, it also make the CyberTruck look more masculine, kind of like the CyberTruck is wearing Sunglasses, and the extra black wrap has a mascara effect. Also, it doesn’t look like an afterthought sticker that got slapped on...



Decisions, Decisions?

I originally planned to wrap my CyberTruck when I get it with my original JAKEe CyberTruck Wrap design seen above, but I like the look of the Mirror Polished CyberTruck, I think I will do it first, and then maybe later add the black PPF on bottom, which I will now probably have to do in glossy, in order to match the top of the my CyberTruck which will have a mirror finish. This may not seem strange to you, but it does to me as I was stoked an confident I was going to immediately wrap it like my design above, so I can't believe I think I have changed my mind? I just think the mirror polished CyberTruck looks soooooooo RAD!!!!!! and soooooo NEXT-LEVEL, as it look otherworldly, and does not look at all like a standard CyberTuck...



Monday, February 10, 2025

Exclusive First Drive of the 2026 Tesla Model Y | Jay Leno's Garage


Exclusive First Drive 

2026 Tesla Model Y

Jay Leno's Garage

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Tesla On the New Model Y Design


Tesla

On the New Model Y Design 

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Polishing A CyberTruck: Mark of the CyberBeast

 Polishing A CyberTruck

Mark of the CyberBeast

I am a YuuuuuuuGe fan of the Polished CyberTruck look, and I published a story on it back in October on TeslaMagazine.org. I thought about how cool it would be to do this when I get my CyberTruck, but I had so many questions and thankfully Mark from Mark of the CyberBeast mentioned to me when I spoke with him that he was planning to polish the stainless steel on his CyberTruck, and he decided to document the entire process!!! I reached out to Mark to ask him questions about his polishing project, and his brilliant answers can be seen just below the videos:


Q&A with Mark of the CyberBeast

Question 1: What made you want to polish your CyberTruck? 

"My wife and I love the rugged, masculine look of the metal, so I didn't want to wrap it.  It's not that we don't like them wrapped, but we felt it takes away from the intent of the design using that stainless steel exoskeleton.  We saw this and loved the look, it looks neater, more finished, especially in the sun where we live."

Question 2: How much will it cost you when it's done?  

"I've seen companies charge $8500 but Oliver's Metal Polishing who did it for me will be charging people around $4500, not much more than a PPF wrap and cheaper than a 3M wrap."

Question 3: How do you believe polishing your CyberTruck will affect the resale value of it? In other words, will it lower the value as it's no longer stock, or do you expect it to enhance the value as it will look way better? I realize you probably don't care about Resale value as you likely don't intend to sell it, but I am curious...    

"I don't think it will hurt, hopefully help but I still have my 13 year old Tundra so as you can guess, I have no plans on selling this, probably ever!  Someone can always wrap it if they don't like it."

Question 4: I mentioned to a friend of mine who owns a CyberTruck that I am thinking about polishing my CyberTruck when I purchase it, and he responded, "I would NEVER do that as the mirror reflection will reflect storing sunlight and blind people!". This seems to contradict what I thought I read in a post where the person said something like the light that hits the CyberTruck is reflected to the ground, and does not cause any kind of safety issues. Since you actually have a polished CyberTruck, I would like to separate the fact from the fiction in my article about your CyberTruck.   

"In motion, you really don't see such a harsh mirror and due to the angles it really isn't as bad on other drivers as you would think.  It looks really reflective in pictures because THAT is the look they are going for, the stealth blending in.  I do plan to put the 3 headed beast sticker on the tailgate to help with headlights of someone following me though.  Many tanker trucks are polished and they don't have the distraction people talk about so I'm not worried."

I was thinking about the alleged reflection issue, and if you think about it, in order for the sun to blind somebody by reflecting off the side of a polished CyberTruck would require the sun to be in the perfect position, so the side of the CyberTruck, and the CyberTruck facia would have to be at just the right angle to perfectly reflect it at a persons eyes. If you think about it, nobody would be in a position where their eyes would be low enough for the sun to reflect perfectly into somebodies eyes. Not the mention, the upper side area would reflect sun way upward, so I don't see how the sun could reflect off the surface of a polished vehicle where it would effect anybody or anything in a negative way...

In my opinion polishing a CyberTruck it TOTALLY NEXT LEVEL, and makes a CyberTruck look an order of magnitude cooler...

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Tesla Earnings Call


 Tesla Earnings Call

I was talking to Mark yesterday, about the CyberTruck, and his superb YouTube channel, and he mentioned he had just finished up his 2024 Tesla Earnings video which can be see below, and he makes many superb points. Mark has a great Tesla YouTube channel named, Mark of the CyberBeast, which I highly recommend. Mark is really smart, and we talked about perhaps collaborating in the future on an article and video comparing the AWD CyberTruck to The Tri-Motor Beast CyberTruck!

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Masterclass on Tesla Stock

 

Masterclass on Tesla Stock

As A Long-Term Investment Vehicle 

This interview which feature Cern Basher on Brighter with Herbert is one of the most profound conversations on the subject of the long-term value proposition of Tesla stock as an investment vehicle. In my persons option, I have long believed Tesla has had the entire automotive industry in check-mate, and will go on to become the single most valuable company on earth—by a long shot. If you study the history of Tesla stock you will discover that from its IPO on June 29, 2010 It's up 30,486.02% as of this writing. 



It is also a fact that to date, over the past decade and a half since Tesla IPO'd, it has appreciated close to 5% per month. That's 5% per month, not per year, so that means on average Tesla stock has gone up on average close to 60% per year. This is the most critical key ingredient to thrust Tesla stock up above all other companies as Tesla has magnificent trajectory, which is key.


Thursday, January 9, 2025

New 2025 Tesla Model Y Launched in China

 

New 2025 Tesla Model Y 

Launched in China

Tesla finally launched the new 2025 Model Y (Codenamed Juniper) exclusively in China today, and it looks PRETTY RAD!!! It's obviously just a matter of time before the U.S. and Berlin made Model Y are updated to match this design language. I think Tesla did a GREAT job with overhauling the design of what is currently the Number 1 best selling car on earth, and yes, I am talking about the Tesla Model Y. Tesla basically just made it look way more attractive, sporty and sleek.


Exterior Updates

As we see from the image below, the Model Y "Juniper" refresh design language is similar to the upcoming Tesla RoboCab, and on the back of the vehicle we see it has a similar diffused lightbar, which looks really cool...


The new Model Y has a much sharper, cleaner vibe, as the front bumper facia, is sleeker and less bulbous, and the Duckbill/Porpoise/Botox lip look face is gone, as the new lightbar and headlights give it a much more modern persona. Also, it's slightly more aerodynamic overall, and the car is also just a big longer by 47 mm. The new Model Y Juniper measures 4797 mm in length, while its predecessor was 4750 mm long.


Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Matte Maroon Red with TMaxx PPF and 22" CT7 Fully Forged Wheels in Black by TSPortline


Matte Maroon Red with TMaxx PPF 

and 22" CT7 Fully Forged Wheels in Black

by TSPortline

Friday, January 3, 2025

If I could as Elon Musk One Question?


If I could as Elon Musk One Question? 


They say there is no such thing as a stupid question and If I could ask Elon Musk one question, it would be:

"How in the future will Tesla vehicles be able to drive safely using full unsupervised autonomy using just cameras? How for instance could a Tesla vehicle navigate safely on a road at night with really thick fog?"

Over the years, there has been a lot of speculation about the validity of Elon Musk's vision to make Tesla automobiles that are genuinely autonomous—meaning cars that can drive themselves without any human supervision. I have spoken to so many people who say Elon's vision is an impossible pipe dream. 

I have NEVER doubted Elon's vision, but there were two important variables I questioned.

The dream of autonomous transportation, as it was originally put forth, was to have a Tesla vehicle that could drive itself from San Francisco to New York, without a person in the vehicle. 

When Tesla first introduced FSD (Full Self Driving), there were two questions that would not stop popping into my head.

The first question, which I considered was "If a Tesla was going to be able to drive itself from San Francisco to New York, by itself, how would it charge itself along the way? 9 years ago, Tesla showed off this bizarre video that shows a prototype snake charger, that could robotically charge a Tesla through the standard wall charger outlet:



I always thought the solution above was NOT realistic or viable, but at the time I was already aware of wireless charing solutions for Electric Vehicles as I had attended the CES show in Las Vegas, and saw a working prototype that was similar to a wireless charger for a smartphone.

Back in 2020 I wrote a seminal article titled "Thoughts on the Future of Autonomous Vehicles: The Shape of Things To Come", in which I discussed my ideas on the future of autonomous vehicles. In that article, I included a profound video that showcased and documented the future reality of wireless EV charing becoming standard for autonomous cars, which can be seen below:



Recently, when Tesla announced the CyberCab, they mentioned they were going to be incorporating wireless charging, and thus one of the two final puzzle pieces was put in place. Below is an official Tesla Video that shows how their CyberCab will use wireless charging:



Of course, I realized this years ago, which was further confirmed with the advent of the CyberTruck as Sandy Munro's CyberTruck teardown discovered wire harnessing already built-in to the CyberTruck, that could simply come to life if a Tesla wireless charing pad was installed. In other words, all CyberTrucks can easily be upgraded to have wireless charging. 

So this solves half the equation. Also, it's easy to see the amazing benefits of wireless charing for Tesla vehicles. For instance, your Tesla could pull itself into your garage automatically and position itself perfectly over the wireless charing pad. Also, if you plug in a current Tesla model to charge it today at home or at a Tesla Supercharger, or at a third party charger, in order to drive away, you have to manually unplug, and thus untether the vehicle, which oftentimes can be a pain. 

With wireless charing, the drivers simply puts the car in drive and drives off. At Tesla Superchargers, it's kind of scary for many people to know they can't just drive off when they are plugged in, so if for instance somebody tried to attack them, they couldn't just drive away, without having to first get out their vehicle and manually unplug it. With wireless charing this is no longer an issue or concern.

I have even seen prototypes where the base/floor charing pad was on wheels that could move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally so it could optimize its charing position every time. Jordan Giesige, from The Limiting Factor just came out with a deep dive video on how Tesla Wireless Charing will work, which is interesting:



How "Tesla AI Vision" Works

The second half of the equation I set out to resolve, is based on the Tesla exterior camera system, which the car used to drive when placed in full self driving mode, which as of today is only available in supervised mode.

In other words, Tesla and Elon Musk have promised that in the future, they plan to release Full Self Driving (Supervised), which will allow Tesla models to drive themselves.

Several years ago, all Tesla models had both cameras and lidar sensors for autonomous driving. The logic was that whatever the camera couldn't see, the lidar could detect. Lidar is a form of radar, that can see through things.

An edge case or corner case complex driving challenge example would be:

What if an autonomous Tesla was driving itself on a slippery road where snow was falling, and there was thick fog, and let's say there was a person crossing the road, or traffic stopped ahead of your, that you could not see since the fog is so thick. If the car was traveling at 60MPH, and the cameras could not see through the fog, the lidar would see what was behind the fog, which makes perfect sense.


Vision Based Approach

But then a few years ago, Elon Musk informed the world that Tesla was completely removing lidar and all forms of radar from Tesla vehicles, and planned to move forward with a camera only approach. This confused me to no end, and with my scenario, I couldn't understand how a Tesla could drive itself safely in such a scenario as I just mentioned with all the fog, without crashing or posing a significant safety hazard.

I kept doing research on this subject and asked a number of smart people and nobody seemed to know the answer, but I recently stumbled into a video that addressed and seems to have resolved this issue. The video below is from BestINTesla and is titled: "The GPU Giants Bet Big on xAI - The Dawn of a New Era in Energy Storage - Tesla Triumphs Over Unions". In this video, around 9:44:00 he discusses this topic in detail:


In the video above he points out that Chinese EV manufacturer, Li Auto CEO voiced his concern about Tesla's camera only approach. 


Ironically, Li Auto CEO's scenario was similar to mine, but according to the video the way the Tesla cameras work, is they can use all the visible light, including in the infrared spectrum, which we as humans can't see or detect with our eyes, and can see individual photons, which serve as solution of measurement similar to lidar. This still sounds a little far fetched to me, but I plan to investigate more and once I figure out more, I will update this article.

So there you have it. If I could ask Elon Musk only one question, this would defiantly be it. One thing that still confuses me and seems to contradict this notion or solution, is why do I get FSD pop ups that say FSD is degraded due to poor weather conditions? In other words, if I drive in rain, often times Tesla TSD will either refuse to turn on altogether, and give me a message that says something like "FSD not available at this time. Please try again later", or it will turn on the FSD, and put up a message on the Tesla screen that says something like, "FSD quality is currently degraded at this time, so please pay extra close attention".


Direct Photon Counting

Update on April 22, 2025: On todays earnings call, an analyst from Wells Fargo asks a similar question, where he said people were concerned sun glare, fog and dust would blind the camera so how could Full Self Driving work under such conditions? Elon responded by saying it has to do by using Direct Photon Count.

Elon said that a typical solution assumes you use a Direct silicon photon counter, that goes through a digital image signal processor that will result in a washed out image. Elon said the challenge is that during that post processing the Digital Image Processor washes things out and creates way too much noise. 

Elon said:

"(Tesla) Had quite a big breakthrough we made a some time ago was to go with direct photon counting and bypass the image signal processor. You can drive straight toward the sun, and see in what appears to be the blackest of night. Here in fog we can see as well as people can, or slightly better."


What is Direct Photon Counting?

Direct photon counting refers to a method of capturing light at the sensor level by directly measuring individual photons (the fundamental particles of light) rather than relying on traditional image sensors that convert light into analog signals, which are then processed through a digital image signal processor (ISP). Traditional camera systems, like those used in most automotive and consumer applications, typically follow these steps:
  • Light Capture: Photons hit the sensor, generating an electrical charge proportional to the light intensity.
  • Analog-to-Digital Conversion: The charge is converted into an analog signal, which is then digitized.
  • ISP Processing: The digital signal is processed by an ISP, which applies algorithms for noise reduction, color correction, white balance, and other enhancements to produce a usable image.
However, this traditional pipeline introduces several challenges:

  • Noise: ISPs can amplify noise, especially in low-light conditions or high-contrast scenarios like sun glare, leading to washed-out or unclear images.
  • Dynamic Range Limitations: Traditional sensors struggle to capture details in both very bright and very dark areas simultaneously, which is critical for driving in conditions like fog, dust, or direct sunlight.
  • Latency: The processing steps add computational overhead, which can introduce delays—problematic for real-time applications like autonomous driving.
Direct photon counting, as described by Musk, bypasses much of this pipeline. Instead, it involves sensors that count individual photons directly, producing a raw, high-fidelity representation of the light entering the camera. This raw data is then fed into Tesla’s neural networks for processing, avoiding the noise and artifacts introduced by traditional ISP post-processing.

Conclusion

As I was doing more research, I asked Grok 3 the following question:

"How in the future will Tesla vehicles be able to drive safely using full unsupervised autonomy using just cameras? How for instance could a Tesla vehicle navigate safely on a road at night with really thick fog?"

I was shocked to discover that Elon quietly added radar back into Hardware 4!?!! Below was Grok 3's answer to my question:

In the future, Tesla’s camera-based FSD will enable unsupervised autonomy by advancing photon-counting cameras, neural networks, compute power, and HD maps, with HW4’s radar providing fog-penetrating redundancy. In thick fog at night, cameras could outperform human vision, using infrared and AI to navigate at 5–20 mph safely, supplemented by radar and maps. High speeds (75 mph) in such conditions are unlikely due to safety and physics, with Tesla prioritizing caution or rerouting. 




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