Tesla shows off Roadster ‘kickflip’ over vehicle lineup in crazy new POV video

teslarati.com Nov 4, 2026

Tesla shows off Roadster ‘kickflip’ over vehicle lineup in crazy new POV video

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 4, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla posted a new 30‑second point‑of‑view video on X showing its next‑generation Roadster performing a “kickflip” stunt that lifts the uncrewed prototype off the ground and rolls it inverted over a lineup of Model 3, Model Y, Cybercab, Cybertruck and Semi at SpaceX’s McGregor test site. The clip captures the car’s cold‑gas thrusters firing, an underbody suction‑fan system climbing an inverted ramp, and the vehicle landing gently on its wheels using thruster vapor for cushioning. Engineers described the maneuver as autonomous for safety, and the same thruster hardware is slated for the higher‑end Thrust and Rocket trims. Production of the second‑generation Roadster is now aimed for 2028, with a dedicated Texas test track planned for owner demonstrations.

💡 Why It Matters

· The video demonstrates Tesla’s ability to integrate aerospace‑grade propulsion into a consumer sports car, hinting at a new class of high‑performance EVs that blend ground and limited‑flight dynamics.

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Tesla Full Self-Driving gets hit with some adjustments in Europe

Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving system, renamed “Tesla Assisted Driving” (TAD) for Europe, received regulatory tweaks from the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW) on 3 November. The changes, applied to models with hardware version 4.0 or newer, introduce the TAD label on displays, manuals and driver‑facing information, and tighten speed‑margin limits from a previous +50 % to a maximum of +10 %. The speed‑margin default resets to 0 % each time the car starts, and related functions are disabled by default. The updates will be delivered via an over‑the‑air software push. RDW concluded the modifications do not affect the system’s core supervised‑driver‑assistance function, leaving the existing type approval unchanged and allowing rollout in the Netherlands and nine other EU states that already recognise the approval under this framework.

💡 By capping the speed margin, regulators force Tesla to curb aggressive automation, setting a precedent for tighter oversight of driver‑assist systems across Europe.

cleantechnica.com · Nov 3

I Checked Out Tesla’s New Model YL, Standard Y, Model 3 In…

Tesla’s newly released Model Y Long‑Range (YL) and the Standard‑range Model Y and Model 3 were examined in person at a Superior, Colorado dealership. The YL’s launch edition starts at $61,990 with roughly $11,000 of standard options, positioning it about $3,000 above the anticipated $53,000 base price once the launch trim ends. While the YL’s price undercuts the Model X and rivals minivans, its interior space remains comparable to the X and falls short of traditional three‑row SUVs such as the Grand Highlander or Chevy Tahoe. The second‑row seats gain heated/cooled functions and adjustable headrests, but the third row lacks cooling, offers limited legroom, and is difficult to access because the middle seats do not slide forward. Ride quality is softer than the 2026 Premium Y, thanks to electronically controlled dampers, and Full‑Self‑Driving (supervised) performed flawlessly on a brief test drive. The Standard‑range Y mirrors the rear‑wheel‑drive version owned by the reviewer’s daughter, sounding louder and lacking premium amenities, though its $6,000 price gap may appeal to budget‑conscious buyers.

💡 The YL’s pricing strategy forces families to weigh a true three‑row EV against established minivan space, potentially reshaping the EV market’s appeal to larger households.

teslarati.com · Nov 2

Tesla owners who tap Emergency Drive Away for fun are in for…

Tesla’s Emergency Drive Away feature, introduced in the 2026.38.3 software update, allows drivers to leave a Supercharger stall with the cable still attached after pressing “Activate.” A recent case reported by X user @Tutrifour shows that even if the vehicle never moves, the system logs a “Emergency Drive Away has been activated – Service is required” alert that only Tesla Service can clear. The owner was charged $539 for an inspection of the charge port and to reset the alert. Tesla’s policy states that activation triggers a mandatory service visit, regardless of actual cable damage, to prevent potential harm to the vehicle or Supercharger. This is the first documented instance of the service fee being applied without physical cable breakage.

💡 The fee turns a safety shortcut into a costly deterrent, forcing owners to weigh convenience against a guaranteed expense.

cleantechnica.com · Nov 1

Westward Ho! First Trip Cross Country with Our New 2026 Tesla Model…

A couple embarked on a 1,500‑mile winter road trip from northern Wisconsin to northern Utah in their brand‑new 2026 Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self‑Driving (FSD) Supervised V14.3.12. After a prior accident forced them to retire a 2019 Model 3, this was their first journey using the latest automation suite. The trip highlighted several real‑world quirks: the navigation rerouted around a closed exit, added five miles, and failed to explain the change; a V2 Supercharger in Wausau was fully occupied, delivering a slower 50 kW charge that still completed in 40 minutes; a newer HW4 charger in Menomonee provided near‑100 kW charging with minimal wait. Near Minneapolis, a bridge lane closure prompted a detour, and the FSD system temporarily went offline, misreporting speed limits and requiring extensive troubleshooting with Tesla support.

💡 The experience exposes growing pains in Tesla’s newest FSD version, showing that even advanced navigation and charging management can still falter under real‑world conditions, which could shape driver confidence and future software updates.

cleantechnica.com · Oct 31

Can Silicon Valley Build A Safe Class 8 Truck? Early EV Semi…

A Tesla Semi caught fire on Interstate 880 in Hayward, California, after the driver pulled over without incident. The lithium‑ion battery ignited, reducing the tractor to ash and prompting the California Highway Patrol to close both directions of the freeway; the southbound lanes remained shut for nearly ten hours while crews extinguished the blaze and managed toxic smoke. This is the second major California highway closure involving a Tesla Semi in just over two years, the first occurring in August 2024 when a Semi drifted off Interstate 80, struck a tree and required 50,000 gallons of water and air drops to control the fire. The incidents have reignited debate over electric‑truck safety, contrasting the high‑profile tech narrative with the long‑standing fire risks of diesel rigs, which the National Fire Protection Association estimates at roughly 15,000 large‑truck fires annually in the United States.

💡 The fires expose a gap between Silicon Valley’s rapid EV rollout and the entrenched safety practices of traditional trucking, forcing regulators and manufacturers to address reliability under real‑world conditions.

teslarati.com · Oct 31

Tesla Full Self-Driving becomes main pillar of new Referral Program

Tesla has restructured its Referral Program, effective October 29, to reward Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscriptions instead of vehicle purchases. Under the new scheme, a Tesla owner on an FSD trial who uses a referral code to subscribe earns the referrer one month of supervised FSD credit. Each code can be applied up to twelve times annually, resetting on January 1, allowing a referrer to accumulate up to a year of free FSD. The previous program granted $250 Tesla Credit for vehicle referrals, a benefit many found difficult to achieve without extensive networks. Tesla highlights the change as a move toward greater inclusivity and aligns it with a surge in FSD subscription uptake, which accounted for 75 % of Q3 deliveries this year.

💡 By tying referrals to FSD subscriptions, Tesla turns every shared link into usable driving data, accelerating software refinement while rewarding owners with tangible savings.