Skip to main content

Tesla says the Model X's falcon wing doors are almost useful

Tesla Model X
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Tesla surprised consumers and competitors alike when it announced plans to launch the Model X crossover with science fiction-esque falcon doors. Fine-tuning the system has been more difficult than the carmaker originally anticipated, but CEO Elon Musk has revealed that the kinks are almost ironed out.

Tesla recently released an over-the-air software upgrade that allows Model X owners to close every door simultaneously by simply pushing a button on the key fob. The new feature is designed to put an end to the problems that many owners encountered while opening or closing the falcon doors. A video posted on Twitter by a Model X owner demonstrates how the feature works.

Recommended Videos
Please enable Javascript to view this content

Musk is aware of the quality and reliability issues that Model X owners have been experiencing since the crossover went on sale last year, and he promises that engineers are working hard to fix them. Notably, many of the issues relate to the falcon doors.

“The software that controls the Model X and the operation of the doors has been incredibly difficult to refine. Getting the complex set of sensors to work well has been incredibly difficult to refine. I think we’re almost there in making the doors useful,” he revealed during the company’s last shareholder meeting.

Read more: LAPD isn’t ready to add the Tesla Model S to its fleet of patrol cars

The recent over-the-air software update won’t be the last. Musk added that the Model X’s falcon doors will be better than normal doors — as opposed to worse — when Tesla releases its next update in about a month.

Owners might not notice the change, however. A Tesla spokeswoman told Fortune that a majority of the several dozen over-the-air software updates that the company has sent to the Model X since January have gone unnoticed.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
The Tesla Model Y is at its lowest price yet — but should you buy one?
Tesla Model Y

Despite increased competition in the space, the Tesla Model Y is still one of the best EVs out there. It has access to the best charging network, plus it offers among the best software experiences, as well as a solid range, especially in the longer-range models. And the Model Y is now down to its lowest price yet, meaning that if you were considering getting one, now is probably the time to buy.

The base price of the Tesla Model Y is down to $42,990 at the time of this writing, which represents a pretty huge price cut. That's before any tax incentives too -- and considering the car is eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit, that means you could get it for as low as $35,490.

Read more
Tesla to begin production on new, more affordable models
Tesla Model 3

With competition increasing from Chinese and other automakers, Tesla boss Elon Musk revealed on Tuesday that his company is planning to begin production of new, more affordable models in “early 2025, if not late this year.” Notably, that's earlier than the previously stated date of late 2025, though whether Musk actually succeeds in meeting the earlier production time frame is another question entirely.

The news came as Tesla released its latest quarterly figures. Revenue for the electric vehicle maker came in at $21.3 billion, down from the $23.3 billion it reported for the same three-month period a year earlier and also down from the $25.2 billion reported in the previous quarter. Profit reached $1.1 billion, marking a 55% fall compared to the same period a year ago.

Read more
New Model 3 ‘takes out the baby fat,’ Tesla designer says in new video
Tesla's Model 3 refresh, codenamed Highland, features a sleeker front.

Tesla’s upgraded Model 3 sedan has been available in the U.S. since last month, and on Wednesday, designers and engineers at the automaker appeared in a video (below) showing off the refreshed design.

Upgraded Model 3 | Design & Engineering Walkthrough

Read more