The Tesla Model S is getting a new titanium underbody shield after two fires caused by road debris striking the underside of the cars have been reported. The fix follows an over-the-air software update released a few months ago that raises the ride height at highway speeds.
The shield consists of three parts – a rounded, hollow aluminium bar, a titanium plate and a shallow angle solid aluminium extrusion. These are designed to deflect or crush errant objects away from the battery pack and other sensitive components, or if the objects are incompressible and immovable, force the Model S up and over them.
Tesla claims that the shields “bring this risk down to virtually zero”, having tested them 152 times over a variety of scenarios without causing any damage that could cause a fire. These include driving over hardened steel structures, equivalent to running into a steel spear set into the tarmac.
The shields are claimed to cause only a 0.1% reduction in range, with no discernible changes to the ride, handling or aerodynamics. All Tesla Model Ss built after March 6 have been fitted with the new shields, and current owners will have them retrofitted free-of-charge, either by request or during their next service.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
WOW. Mercedes AMG PETRONAS 1-2 win didn’t make any headline? Surprised surprised…
since ur comment does not related to this topic, I’m giving u thumb down.
Nice, hopefully Malaysian can get the awesome car here. This can smoke many car and put the smoke addict aka Proton owner into total jealousy.
i thought this car does not even give out smoke..
Tesla is not Proton fighter, Proton not even able come close to view its tail lights or come up with such tech.
It was made to alert BMW, Porsche and other Germans that they are way far behind when comes to the future.
Mercedes C-class starting price USD$29k in US, BMW 5 series from USD$49k, Tesla model S is priced at USD $70k for base model and USD 90k for performance model… imagine how much will it cost if they really bring it into Malaysia… haha
Volkswagen Malaysia should uses these for their cars because it can prevent the management from coming under fire by those angry owners! Tesla, please propose this to the VGM.
Now that’s how you run a car company.
Electric cars are safer than internal combustion cars
Take the free titanium shield and sell it! then buy new spory rim..!