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Tesla Cybercab Will Feature Built-In Starlink V5

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Tesla has never been shy about blending the ambitions of Elon Musk’s sprawling empire into a single ecosystem. Now, the company is taking that strategy one step further by integrating a SpaceX Starlink V5 satellite antenna directly into the upcoming Tesla Cybercab, a move that raises as many questions as it answers.

The idea sounds futuristic on paper: autonomous robotaxis connected to high-speed satellite internet, ready to stay online almost anywhere. But considering where Tesla currently operates its autonomous fleet, the decision may be less about necessity and more about preparing for a much bigger vision.

Tesla Cybercab Gets Built-In Starlink Connectivity

Tesla recently revealed a cutaway illustration of the Cybercab, showcasing the vehicle’s communication hardware. Alongside conventional GPS and 5G LTE antennas sits an integrated Starlink V5 satellite antenna, providing direct access to SpaceX’s growing satellite internet constellation.

Tesla described the feature simply:

“High-speed internet from space for the future of autonomous vehicles.”

The announcement represents another example of the increasingly close relationship between Tesla and SpaceX, two companies that frequently share technologies, engineering expertise, and now—potentially—the communications backbone of future autonomous transportation.

What Is the Starlink V5 Antenna?

The newly announced Starlink V5 hardware is the latest generation of SpaceX’s satellite internet receiver. Compared with the previous V4 system, the V5 is:

  • Smaller and easier to integrate
  • More energy efficient
  • Capable of download speeds exceeding 375 Mbps
  • Slightly slower than the V4’s 400+ Mbps capability

Interestingly, SpaceX currently markets the V5 primarily as a home internet solution, while the compact Starlink Mini is positioned as the portable option for travelers and mobile users. That makes Tesla’s decision to integrate the larger V5 hardware into a production vehicle particularly intriguing.

Does a Robotaxi Really Need Satellite Internet?

Here’s where things become interesting.

Tesla’s existing Cybercab fleet operates almost entirely inside urban environments, where modern 5G networks already provide impressive performance. Average 5G download speeds across major U.S. cities hover around 175 Mbps, more than sufficient for navigation, cloud processing, passenger entertainment, software updates, and fleet management.

Since the Cybercab also includes a dedicated 5G LTE modem, adding Starlink creates what appears to be a redundant communications system.

For a vehicle expected to spend most of its life driving relatively short urban routes, maintaining two independent high-speed internet connections could seem excessive.

Then again, Tesla rarely designs hardware solely for today’s requirements.

Why Starlink Could Matter More Than Speed

While internet bandwidth grabs headlines, the real value of Starlink may lie elsewhere.

An always-available satellite connection could provide advantages that cellular networks cannot consistently guarantee:

  • Continuous fleet communication outside cellular coverage
  • More reliable remote diagnostics and software support
  • Improved vehicle-to-vehicle data sharing
  • Additional redundancy for autonomous driving systems
  • Consistent navigation updates during network congestion or emergencies

If Tesla eventually expands its robotaxi network beyond dense metropolitan areas, satellite connectivity could become an important layer of operational resilience.

It’s also difficult to ignore the business logic.

Every Cybercab equipped with Starlink represents another opportunity for Elon Musk’s companies to reinforce one another—Tesla creating demand for SpaceX’s satellite infrastructure while SpaceX enhances Tesla’s autonomous ecosystem.

Tesla’s Robotaxi Fleet Is Still Surprisingly Small

Despite the excitement surrounding Tesla’s autonomous ambitions, the company’s operational robotaxi fleet remains limited.

According to Robotaxi Tracker, Tesla currently operates:

  • 39 fully unsupervised autonomous Cybercabs carrying passengers
  • Approximately 770 vehicles when supervised autonomous operations are included

Those numbers highlight just how early Tesla still is in scaling its long-promised robotaxi vision.

Mass deployment will require regulatory approvals, expanded operational areas, and continued improvements to Full Self-Driving technology before fleets begin approaching the millions of autonomous rides Musk has repeatedly envisioned.

When Will the Tesla Cybercab Launch?

Tesla has yet to announce an official production timeline for the Cybercab.

The company continues testing its autonomous fleet while gradually expanding operations, but there is still no confirmed date for large-scale public deployment.

Until then, the integrated Starlink V5 antenna serves as another reminder that Tesla isn’t simply building an electric taxi. It’s attempting to create a constantly connected autonomous platform where vehicles communicate through both terrestrial and satellite networks.

Whether that level of connectivity proves revolutionary—or simply unnecessary redundancy—will become clear only when the Cybercab finally moves from concept to widespread reality.

Source: Tesla

NEW CARS

Smart #2 Returns the Brand to Its City-Car Roots—And It Might Be the EV We’ve Been Waiting For

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For the better part of a decade, Smart seemed determined to outrun the very idea that made it famous. The once pint-sized city-car specialist traded microcars for a lineup of increasingly larger electric crossovers, culminating in the imposing #5 SUV. Now, however, the company is heading back to familiar territory—and perhaps rediscovering its identity in the process.

Meet the all-new Smart #2.

Scheduled to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show this October before arriving in UK showrooms next year, the #2 replaces the iconic Fortwo with an entirely new electric platform, fresh technology, and a premium philosophy that aims to prove small cars no longer have to feel like compromises.

Small Size, Big Ambitions

At just 2,792 mm (110 inches) long, the Smart #2 remains astonishingly compact. It’s only around 100 mm longer than the outgoing Fortwo, making it one of the smallest electric passenger cars available—and comfortably shorter than the Fiat 500e. Only quadricycle-class vehicles such as the Citroën Ami and Microlino occupy less road space.

Yet Smart insists this isn’t simply another tiny EV. Thanks to Geely’s dedicated Electric Compact Architecture, the #2 has been engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle rather than adapted from an internal-combustion platform. That allows engineers to maximize cabin space while keeping the trademark wheels-at-the-corners stance that defined the original Fortwo.

The payoff is impressive. A turning circle of just 6.95 meters should make navigating crowded city streets and squeezing into impossible parking spaces easier than ever.

Premium Is the New Practical

The original Fortwo succeeded because it was unapologetically functional. The new #2 wants to add something its predecessor rarely delivered: desirability.

Mercedes-Benz, which continues to oversee Smart’s design direction through its partnership with Geely, has infused the #2 with a cleaner, more sophisticated aesthetic. Prototype images suggest the production model will stay remarkably faithful to the concept shown earlier this year, featuring minimalist surfacing and balanced proportions that look more upscale than quirky.

Inside, Smart promises a cabin that elevates the city-car experience well beyond basic transportation. While full interior details remain under wraps, the company hints at premium leather, translucent trim pieces, elegant two-tone finishes, and a minimalist layout designed around quality rather than cost-cutting.

Perhaps the boldest idea is the replacement of conventional front seats with a bench seat—a layout almost unheard of in modern passenger cars. Smart says the unconventional arrangement creates additional usable space while reinforcing the cabin’s lounge-like atmosphere.

Whether buyers embrace the idea remains to be seen, but it’s certainly more imaginative than simply adding another oversized touchscreen.

Urban EV, Modern Technology

Although Smart is saving many technical specifications for the Paris reveal, the company has confirmed several key figures.

The #2 will offer up to 186 miles (300 km) of driving range, placing it squarely in the sweet spot for daily urban commuting and occasional weekend trips. Fast-charging capability allows the battery to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes, minimizing downtime during longer journeys.

The city car will also feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, enabling owners to power external devices directly from the battery—useful for camping, outdoor activities, or emergency backup power.

Rediscovering Smart’s Identity

For years, Smart appeared eager to distance itself from the microcar formula that built its reputation. Crossovers like the #1, #3, and #5 expanded the brand’s reach but also blurred its identity in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

The #2 changes that narrative.

Instead of chasing larger vehicles, Smart is embracing the challenge of making small cars genuinely exciting again. Design chief Kai Sieber describes the concept as a vision where “function becomes fashion,” arguing that a city car should inspire emotion rather than merely solve transportation problems.

That philosophy is evident throughout the vehicle. The compact footprint remains, but the execution feels more sophisticated, more luxurious, and considerably more aspirational than anything wearing a Smart badge before it.

Pricing Remains the Biggest Question

Smart hasn’t announced pricing, but expectations should be tempered. The discontinued electric Fortwo started at around £22,000, and the significantly more advanced platform, richer interior, and improved technology suggest the #2 will command a noticeable premium.

Whether customers are willing to pay more for a two-seat city car remains one of the biggest unknowns.

There’s also speculation that Smart could eventually stretch the platform into a four-seat variant, effectively reviving the Forfour. Such a model would place the company directly against electric superminis like the Renault 5, Citroën C3, and the upcoming DS 3 EV, expanding Smart’s reach without abandoning its urban-first philosophy.

The Smart #2 isn’t trying to be another compact crossover pretending to be adventurous. Instead, it embraces the idea that great city cars can be compact, stylish, technologically advanced, and genuinely premium.

If the production model delivers on the promise shown by its concept—and Smart keeps pricing within reach—the brand may finally have found the perfect balance between honoring its past and embracing an electric future.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t getting bigger. It’s remembering what made you special in the first place.

Source: Smart

NEW CARS

Genesis Eyes a Smaller EV, But It Won’t Rush the Race

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Genesis isn’t chasing every emerging market trend—and that’s precisely what could make its next move one of the smartest in the premium EV segment.

While luxury automakers scramble to fill every conceivable niche, Genesis is taking a more measured approach. The Korean premium brand is openly considering a compact electric vehicle positioned below today’s GV60, but executives insist that expansion will happen only when the business case makes long-term sense—not because the market demands a quick response.

At present, the GV60 serves as Genesis’ entry point into electric mobility. Measuring roughly 177 inches (4.5 meters) long, the stylish crossover still leaves considerable room for a smaller, more affordable model. The idea isn’t entirely new, either. Back in 2019, Genesis previewed what a compact luxury EV could look like with the delightfully unconventional Mint Concept, a city-focused two-door that hinted at an entirely different direction for the brand.

Now, that possibility appears to be back on the table.

Speaking about Genesis’ future product strategy, Genesis Europe Managing Director Peter Kronschnabl confirmed the company is actively evaluating additional market segments as it looks to attract new customers. While he stopped short of confirming a production-ready compact EV, he acknowledged that smaller vehicles remain under consideration.

With Hyundai preparing to introduce the Ioniq 3 as its next mainstream electric crossover, speculation naturally turns to whether Genesis could eventually offer a premium counterpart. Kronschnabl isn’t ready to reveal those plans, but he made it clear the company is studying where future growth opportunities lie.

The emphasis, however, isn’t simply on building a smaller car—it’s on building the right smaller car.

Genesis has little interest in chasing fashionable niches simply because competitors are doing so. Kronschnabl pointed to premium pickup trucks as an example. While there’s arguably room in the luxury market for such a vehicle, white space alone isn’t enough to justify development.

That’s an increasingly rare philosophy in today’s automotive landscape, where manufacturers often rush into emerging segments hoping to capture early demand before carefully evaluating whether those markets can sustain long-term profitability.

Instead, Genesis appears determined to grow deliberately, ensuring every new model strengthens the brand rather than diluting it.

That patient strategy has become something of a defining characteristic for Genesis. Since its launch, the brand has steadily built credibility through thoughtful design, high-quality interiors, and competitive pricing instead of relying on volume or aggressive badge expansion. In many ways, it’s the opposite approach taken by several legacy luxury brands that now find themselves juggling increasingly crowded lineups.

For Genesis, success isn’t measured by how quickly it can fill every market gap.

As Kronschnabl describes it, building Genesis is “a marathon, not a sprint.”

That mindset could prove particularly valuable as the EV market enters its next phase. Early adoption has given way to a more mature landscape where buyers are becoming increasingly selective, and simply launching another electric crossover is no longer enough. Product differentiation, profitability, and brand identity matter more than ever.

If Genesis ultimately introduces a compact electric model, expect it to reflect those priorities rather than simply becoming a smaller GV60. Whether inspired by the Mint Concept or developed as an entirely new product, any future entry-level Genesis EV will likely aim to deliver the refinement, design sophistication, and premium experience the brand has become known for—just in a more accessible package.

For now, Genesis isn’t confirming timelines, names, or production plans. But its willingness to openly discuss smaller electric vehicles suggests the conversation has already moved beyond mere speculation.

And when Genesis finally decides to enter the segment, don’t expect it to arrive first.

Expect it to arrive when Genesis believes it can do it better.

Source: Genesis

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