I was very lucky to land Tesla Engineering VP Lars Moravy as my podcast guest this week! We covered a LOT of ground in the \~49 minute interview. Timecodes are below if you want to jump to a certain topic. Also, I linked YT for convenience (note that it's an audio-only podcast), but it's also available on most major podcast platforms. Enjoy! I suspect the Tesla news blogs will farm a lot of news out of this one. :-) And episode 500 is next week, so...I'll be back. Timecodes: 6:39 Interview begins 7:36 Lars on when he first got into cars 9:42 Remembering his first job in the auto industry, at Honda, and what led him to Tesla 14:01 Early days at Tesla 15:19 He knew the Model S was going to be a special car 17:22 Engineering the falcon-wing doors of the Model X 19:34 The charger snake prototype and its “hubris” 20:21 The Cybercab will be road trip capable 23:26 The most satisfying vehicle project he’s worked on 26:07 Why Tesla doesn’t have any plans to build any more HFS vehicles 26:43 The Cybercab isn’t “painted” in the traditional sense 28:44 Remembering Model 3’s “production hell” 31:20 Tesla fully expected the Model Y to become the world’s best-selling vehicle 33:50 Building the next-gen Roadster prototype 35:36 Status update on the next-gen Roadster 40:55 Learnings from the Model 3 refresh that have been applied to the new Model Y 43:25 Balancing between pushing the envelope and playing it safe on the new Model Y 45:42 The reason the new Model Y doesn’t have steer by wire 47:25 Why the new Model Y doesn’t have a 48v architecture 48:54 The status of the Model S and Model X 50:45 What Lars daily drives 51:50 Why the new Model 3 doesn’t use gigacastings 52:38 Lars’s favorite piece of engineering on any of the cars 54:58 Will the front bumper camera come to the S, X, and 3? 55:09 Will the turn signal stalk return to any of the other vehicles besides Model Y? 55:38 A teaser for the upcoming more-affordable vehicles Apple Podcasts link: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-499-special-guest-tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy/id1025399574?i=1000695281742](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-499-special-guest-tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy/id1025399574?i=1000695281742) Spotify link: [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VWwW4Sb1CSqbAxSo68Lds](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VWwW4Sb1CSqbAxSo68Lds) Web link: [https://teslapodcast.libsyn.com/episode-499-special-guest-tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy](https://teslapodcast.libsyn.com/episode-499-special-guest-tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy)
Love your podcasts Ryan, thanks for helping me keep updated on games and teslas. Two of my main interests haha
I look forward to test driving the new Y, but my X is outstanding. High bar to cross to get me to switch.
I’m happy to be of service! :-)
Thanks for pushing on the Roadster info!! Me to Tesla: Take my money!
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Thank you will listen later
What is the status of Roadster 2?
I was as thrilled as anyone to finally get some concrete word about progress on that car, for sure.
Indeed, winners and deposit-holders alike. It's time for that car to get built!
Are you still hoping to get one for free?
Thanks for your very professional podcast Ryan. Always enjoy it.
They covered that, listen to the podcast. Yes, it's coming, no, he didn't say when, but before 2028 at least. (20 year anniversary of the original roadster)
I know the S and X aren’t high volume cars at this point but would really have loved to know if they plan on a refresh of either to keep them competitive in the near future.
I appreciate the kind words. Cheers Matthew!
Nice. I could listen to Lars talk shop for hours.
Really looking forward to see what they do for a next-gen S and X.
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I’ll have to listen and I am interested in the new y. Didn’t think they’d bring steer by wire to anything yet..but the newer architecture update over the old-feeling model X might be enough.
I hope so! And sorry maybe far behind is a bit pessimistic lol I just see competition like Lucid for example as eating into sales that the S and X have traditionally held strong on but they are still awesome cars. I had the opportunity to test drive a model S when my wife picked up her model 3 about a year and a half ago and I was like holy crap this thing is otherworldly in terms of the suspension and the speed! It made me want one so bad but I’m content with my 2023 model 3 for now and will hold out and see if they end up updating it or get a highland model 3 instead!
their were like 3 years when the model 3 felt newer in some regards till the 2021 s/x refresh. Now they feel pretty even but compared to the best competition they are behind in charging especially. Also larger battery packs would be appreciated even though I know the prioritize efficiency. When camping or off grid it's nice to have. Not to mention some features like OLED screens, V2L charging, electrochromic glass, massaging seats, etc. I know the S/X aren't volume seller but IMO they have to do a complete platform/structure redesign and take over the 60-80K market instead of 75-100K. Especially the overly complicated Model X. If they have a proper 3 row crossover at a lower at around 60K I would bet they would be selling 6 figure units every year instead of the 25K units they sell in america I think. Also they really need a boxy 2 row EV asap with a nice large battery to appeal to the "off road" crowd and have something to compete with the R2S launching in a year or so. They price it at around 50-60K with 350 miles of range and 800v charging and they are definitely gonna be selling them like hot cakes. That body style is all the rage right now.
I really enjoyed that!
I had the 2024 Model S and now have the 2025 Highland Model 3. The Model S had squeaks and rattles. The Model 3 is solid as a vault. I also personally appreciate the increased agility of the model three. I have always been a fan of smaller cars. For myself, the only advantage of the model S, was extra room, and that is not a factor in my lifestyle. Take this for the personal anecdote that it is.
I appreciate it! I would hope a highland/juniper style refresh would rectify some of those issues but agreed. I love the nimbleness of the model 3 and haven’t lived with a model s to really know how it is but a common theme about it I read on here at least is that it drives like a boat. My wife and I don’t plan on having kids and just have our two dogs so we really don’t need a super duper big car but we both prefer a car that is super comfy and has those creature comforts
Could you opine on the leg room and leg angle (not sure how to say it) difference especially for taller riders? The 3 is rocks but does create a sharp knee bend angle in taller folks. Is the S similar or results in a more comfy knee position?
Just finished the episode, thank you so much for supporting the community!
So happy to hear that 48v and steer by wire will make its way across the fleet. Favorite feature after test driving the Cybertruck!
Sorry, I can’t help there. I’m more on the long torso, short leg side :-)
Will listen soon - was there any mention on V2L and the new model Y? Seems such a glaring omission compared to competitors considering that the cybertruck has it.
Is a podcast something people know about?
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