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News

Tesla Has a New Halloween Trick for Its Owners

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Tesla is getting into the Halloween spirit with a new software update that transforms its electric vehicles into rolling haunted houses. The latest Tesla Halloween Mode adds spooky graphics, sounds and lighting effects, giving owners a seasonal dose of entertainment through the company’s familiar Toybox feature.

Announced in early October, the update introduces a redesigned vehicle visualization and a series of Halloween-themed effects. Tesla describes the experience as a “haunted house on wheels,” turning the car’s central display into a digital playground filled with ghosts, pumpkins, skeletons and other Halloween imagery.

Tesla Halloween Mode Adds Ghosts, Pumpkins and a Haunted Graveyard

The most obvious change appears on the central touchscreen, where the vehicle visualization can now wear a ghost costume. Instead of the usual representation of the Tesla, the car is covered by what looks like a classic white sheet, complete with a distinctly Halloween-inspired appearance.

Tesla has also added a new “Trick or Treat” function. When activated, the vehicle can play spooky sounds while switching its exterior lights on and off as someone approaches the car. It is a simple feature, but one that fits neatly with Tesla’s long-standing habit of hiding playful software features inside its vehicles.

The parked-car display receives an even more dramatic makeover. Tesla’s videos show the vehicle sitting in a virtual graveyard beneath a full moon, surrounded by glowing pumpkins. A haunted house appears in the distance, while a skeleton and a mysterious hand emerging from the ground complete the scene.

It is considerably more elaborate than a simple change to the vehicle icon and demonstrates how Tesla continues to use software as a way of adding new experiences to its cars without changing any physical hardware.

Tesla Continues Its Toybox Tradition

Halloween Mode is the latest addition to Tesla’s Toybox collection, which has become one of the company’s most recognizable software features.

Tesla has previously used Toybox to introduce a variety of Easter eggs and seasonal features, including Santa Mode. That holiday-themed mode turns the vehicle visualization into a festive experience and has remained available beyond the Christmas season.

The arrival of Halloween Mode raises an interesting question: will Tesla continue expanding its collection of permanent seasonal themes?

If Santa Mode is any indication, Halloween Mode could remain inside the Toybox menu after October ends. That would allow Tesla owners to activate the spooky graphics and effects whenever they want rather than limiting the feature to Halloween.

For Tesla, it is another example of how software can give an otherwise familiar vehicle a completely different personality.

Tesla Takes Inspiration From Rivian

Tesla is not the first electric vehicle manufacturer to experiment with Halloween-themed vehicle software.

Rivian has offered similar seasonal features for several years. In 2024, the American EV manufacturer introduced three Halloween-themed “costumes” for parked vehicles.

Rivian’s implementation went beyond simple graphics. Pedestrians shown on the vehicle display could be transformed into zombies, while cyclists and motorcyclists could appear as Headless Horsemen.

Tesla’s approach is somewhat different, but the idea is fundamentally the same: use the vehicle’s cameras, displays and software to create a temporary digital world around the car.

As electric vehicles become increasingly software-defined, features like these are becoming another way for manufacturers to differentiate their products. They may not improve range, acceleration or charging speed, but they can make the ownership experience more entertaining.

Not Every Tesla May Get the Full Halloween Experience

There is one important technical limitation to Tesla’s Halloween update.

The most sophisticated full-screen 3D visualizations require the more powerful AMD Ryzen-based computers fitted to newer Tesla vehicles. Older models equipped with Intel processors are therefore not expected to support the complete graveyard scene shown in Tesla’s promotional material.

That does not necessarily mean older Teslas will miss out entirely. Other Halloween-themed additions, including some of the visual and audio effects, may still be available depending on the vehicle’s hardware and software configuration.

This is becoming increasingly relevant as Tesla continues to add software features that rely on increasingly powerful in-car computing hardware. While over-the-air updates allow Tesla to add new capabilities years after a vehicle has left the factory, hardware differences can determine which features older cars are able to run.

Tesla Teases Halloween With Optimus

Tesla began building anticipation for the update in early October with a post on X featuring the message “Halloween is coming.”

The short video showed a pumpkin, a Tesla dressed as a ghost and the hand of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot rising from the ground in zombie-like fashion.

The teaser fits Tesla’s broader strategy of turning software announcements into events of their own. Rather than simply listing the functions included in an update, the company has increasingly used visual Easter eggs and social-media teasers to generate interest among its owners and followers.

With Halloween Mode, the car itself becomes part of the celebration.

A Software Feature That Shows Tesla’s Unusual Approach to Car Ownership

Tesla Halloween Mode is not a feature that changes the way a Tesla drives. It does not increase performance, improve efficiency or add driving range. Instead, it illustrates another aspect of Tesla’s approach to automotive software.

Traditional carmakers typically rely on physical equipment, accessories and styling packages to differentiate vehicles. Tesla can use an over-the-air software update to give thousands of cars a completely different visual identity almost instantly.

That flexibility has become one of the defining characteristics of the modern Tesla ownership experience.

Whether owners actually use the Halloween features for more than a few minutes is another question. But features like these help reinforce Tesla’s reputation for treating its vehicles as software platforms as much as conventional automobiles.

And if Halloween Mode follows the same path as Santa Mode, Tesla owners may soon have a growing collection of seasonal personalities to choose from whenever they open the Toybox menu.

For now, however, Tesla’s latest software update gives its electric cars a suitably spooky makeover—complete with ghosts, graveyards, pumpkins, skeletons and a few tricks waiting for anyone brave enough to approach the car.

Source: Tesla via Instagram

News

New Freelander Brand Confirmed for the UK as Chery and JLR Prepare New SUV Range

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The new Freelander brand is officially set to launch in the UK, marking a significant new chapter for the name once associated with Land Rover’s popular compact SUV. Created through a collaboration between Chinese automotive giant Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the new marque will target international markets with a range of electrified SUVs positioned below JLR’s premium models.

While the British launch has been confirmed, Freelander has yet to reveal exactly when its cars will arrive in the UK or which company will be responsible for importing and distributing the vehicles.

The brand’s global expansion will take place in several stages. The UK and wider European markets are planned as part of what Freelander describes as its “third wave” of international expansion.

Freelander’s Global Expansion Will Begin Outside Europe

Freelander’s first overseas markets will be in the Middle East and North Africa before the brand moves into right-hand-drive markets such as Australia and New Zealand.

The UK and Europe will follow later, although Freelander has not yet announced a specific launch date.

The strategy represents an important step for a brand that is closely linked to both Chery and JLR. Rather than simply exporting existing Chinese-market vehicles, Freelander says its future European products will be developed with individual markets in mind.

Freelander CEO Wen Fei has previously indicated that vehicles destined for Europe will not simply be adapted versions of models already sold in China. Instead, the company intends to develop derivatives specifically tailored to European customers and market requirements.

That approach could prove crucial as Freelander attempts to establish itself in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets.

JLR Gives Chery Freedom to Develop the Freelander Brand

Although the Freelander name has its roots in Land Rover, JLR has made it clear that Chery will have considerable freedom in determining the direction of the new brand.

JLR chief executive PB Balaji previously confirmed that the British company would not stand in the way of Freelander entering the UK.

Speaking in May, Balaji described the new vehicle range as Chery’s responsibility, while explaining that JLR’s role would be primarily related to ensuring the brand’s design remains consistent with the values associated with JLR.

“From our perspective, our role is ensuring that the design is in sync with what JLR stands for, and thereafter it is completely their baby,” Balaji said.

That arrangement gives Chery the opportunity to build Freelander into a global automotive brand while maintaining a connection with the heritage of the original Land Rover Freelander.

Freelander 8 Leads the New SUV Line-Up

The first model from the revived Freelander brand is the Freelander 8, a large SUV designed around a plug-in-hybrid powertrain.

The Freelander 8 combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. Together, the system produces a substantial 617bhp and sends power to all four wheels.

The combination of petrol and electric propulsion is intended to give the large SUV both long-distance capability and the ability to cover substantial journeys using electric power alone.

A 34kWh battery provides an electric-only range of up to 68 miles, according to the company. The battery can also be recharged at rates of up to 350kW, potentially giving the Freelander 8 exceptionally rapid charging capability for a plug-in-hybrid SUV.

With its combination of high power, all-wheel drive and long electric range, the Freelander 8 is clearly positioned as a technology-focused flagship for the new brand.

European Freelander Models Could Be Very Different

One of the most interesting aspects of the Freelander project is the company’s promise that European-market vehicles will not simply be Chinese models with minor modifications.

Freelander has indicated that cars exported to Europe will instead be developed as new derivatives tailored to the requirements of individual markets.

That could mean changes to styling, chassis tuning, powertrain specifications, equipment and potentially vehicle dimensions, depending on the requirements of European customers.

For the UK in particular, the brand’s arrival could provide an interesting alternative in the increasingly competitive premium and near-premium SUV market.

Freelander will also have to contend with increasingly strict European emissions regulations and strong demand for electrified powertrains, making plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles likely to play an important role in its future range.

Freelander Expected to Undercut JLR Models on Price

Pricing will be one of the biggest questions surrounding the Freelander brand’s UK launch.

No UK prices have been announced, but JLR has already indicated that Freelander will occupy a different position from its own premium products.

Balaji previously explained that the pricing strategy of the new brand would be separate from JLR’s existing positioning.

“The price positioning of Freelander and our price positions are different,” he said.

That suggests Freelander could be positioned below comparable Jaguar and Land Rover products, giving Chery an opportunity to compete for customers looking for premium-looking SUVs and advanced electrified powertrains without the price tag associated with established luxury brands.

A New Rival for Europe’s SUV Market

The arrival of Freelander could add another major Chinese automotive challenger to the UK and European markets.

The brand has several advantages from the outset: access to Chery’s manufacturing and technology resources, a name with strong recognition among Land Rover enthusiasts, and a relationship with JLR that could help establish design credibility.

However, Freelander will still have to build its own reputation for reliability, quality, customer service and residual values.

The UK launch is therefore potentially much more significant than simply the return of a familiar name. It could mark the emergence of an entirely new global SUV brand operating between mainstream Chinese manufacturers and established premium European marques.

For now, the biggest unanswered question is timing. Freelander has confirmed that the UK is part of its expansion strategy, but the company has not yet revealed when British customers will be able to buy its vehicles.

If the Freelander 8 is representative of what is to come, the new brand is likely to arrive in Britain with a strong focus on high-performance hybrid powertrains, long electric ranges and aggressive pricing.

The original Freelander helped establish Land Rover in the compact SUV market. Its modern successor could now attempt something very different: using Chery’s technology and global ambitions to create a new international automotive brand carrying one of Britain’s most recognisable SUV names.

Source: Autocar

News

Mercedes-Benz EQS Gets Steer-by-Wire Technology, Cutting Steering Wheel Input to Just 170 Degrees

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Mercedes-Benz is taking another major step into the future of automotive technology with the introduction of steer-by-wire technology for the EQS Saloon. The flagship electric luxury sedan becomes the first series-production passenger car from a German automotive manufacturer to offer a steering system without a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels.

The optional steer-by-wire system is available in Germany from €2,500 excluding VAT, or €2,975 including VAT. The package also includes rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 10 degrees and a newly developed, flatter steering wheel featuring a redesigned airbag structure.

For Mercedes-Benz, however, the significance of the technology goes far beyond simply making the EQS easier to park. Steer-by-wire changes the fundamental relationship between the driver and the car, while further establishing the EQS as the technological flagship of the Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle range.

Mercedes-Benz EQS Introduces Steer-by-Wire

Traditional steering systems use a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. In the EQS equipped with steer-by-wire, that physical connection is eliminated.

Instead, steering inputs are transmitted electronically through high-speed electrical signals. Sensors detect the driver’s steering input, while sophisticated control units translate it into precise movements at the wheels.

The result is a steering system that Mercedes-Benz says maintains the familiar precision and intuitiveness of its steering feel while providing substantially greater freedom in how the steering response is calibrated.

One of the most noticeable changes is the steering wheel itself. The new unit is flatter and more compact, creating additional visual and physical space in the EQS cabin.

Most importantly, the steering wheel requires only 170 degrees of rotation from lock to lock.

That is a significant departure from conventional steering systems and means the driver no longer needs to repeatedly reposition their hands during tight manoeuvres.

Easier Parking and Urban Driving

The benefits of steer-by-wire are particularly obvious at low speeds.

Parking, U-turns and manoeuvring in confined spaces require substantially less steering input, while the combination of steer-by-wire and rear-axle steering allows the EQS to change direction with considerably less effort.

Mercedes-Benz pairs the system with rear-axle steering capable of turning the rear wheels by up to 10 degrees. The two technologies work together to improve low-speed agility without compromising high-speed stability.

For a large luxury saloon such as the EQS, that is particularly important. Despite its substantial dimensions, the car should feel considerably more manageable in urban environments and parking garages than its size might initially suggest.

The reduced steering effort also means the driver does not need to constantly change hand position on the steering wheel during tight turns.

A More Refined Driving Experience

Steer-by-wire is not only about convenience. Mercedes-Benz says the technology also improves driving dynamics.

Because there is no mechanical steering shaft connecting the steering wheel with the front wheels, unwanted vibrations generated by potholes, uneven surfaces and other road imperfections can be filtered out before reaching the driver’s hands.

That creates the potential for a more refined driving experience without isolating the driver from the road completely.

Mercedes-Benz has also been able to tailor the steering response electronically, allowing the system to deliver the appropriate steering characteristics depending on driving conditions and vehicle speed.

The EQS therefore aims to combine the effortless nature expected from an electric luxury saloon with a more responsive and agile driving character.

Safety Remains a Central Focus

Removing the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels naturally raises questions about safety and redundancy.

Mercedes-Benz says its steer-by-wire system has been engineered with a redundant architecture designed to maintain steering capability even in the event of a highly unlikely component failure.

The system uses high-precision sensors, powerful control units and independent signal paths.

Mercedes-Benz has also developed additional strategies for maintaining lateral vehicle control in the unlikely event of a complete system failure. These include the use of rear-axle steering and targeted wheel-specific braking interventions through the ESP system.

The approach highlights one of the biggest advantages of software-controlled vehicle systems: steering characteristics can be managed through multiple electronic systems rather than relying exclusively on a single mechanical connection.

The EQS Gets a New Steering Wheel

The introduction of steer-by-wire has also allowed Mercedes-Benz to rethink the EQS steering wheel.

The new design is flatter and more compact than a conventional steering wheel, helping create a greater sense of openness inside the cabin.

It also improves the driver’s view of the instrument display and makes entering and exiting the vehicle easier.

The steering wheel is available in black or, depending on vehicle specification, beige. Its design is intended to complement the spacious, minimalist character of the EQS interior.

Mercedes-Benz has also developed a new airbag structure specifically for the steering wheel.

The result is a steering wheel that is not simply a different interface for the new steering system, but an important part of the overall interior redesign.

Mercedes-Benz EQS: More Than Just Steer-by-Wire

The new steering technology arrives only a few months after Mercedes-Benz significantly upgraded the EQS Saloon.

More than 25 percent of the vehicle’s components have been newly developed, updated or refined, while the car now benefits from a substantially revised electric architecture.

At the heart of the updated EQS is a new-generation 800-volt electrical architecture.

The flagship electric saloon also receives new in-house-developed drive units, a two-speed gearbox on the main rear axle drive and larger batteries featuring optimised cell chemistry.

Together, these technologies are intended to improve efficiency, performance and the overall long-distance capability of the EQS.

MB.OS Turns the EQS Into a Software-Defined Luxury Car

Another major part of the EQS technology package is Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS.

Rather than treating software as a secondary feature, Mercedes-Benz has designed MB.OS as the central operating system for the vehicle.

It controls and integrates a wide range of vehicle functions and uses artificial intelligence, powerful computing hardware and a connection to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud.

The system also supports over-the-air updates, allowing the EQS to receive software improvements and new functions without requiring a traditional workshop visit.

This software-defined approach is particularly important when combined with steer-by-wire.

The steering system itself becomes another electronically controlled element of the vehicle, opening the door to more sophisticated calibration and future software-based improvements.

Mercedes-Benz Pushes Further Into the Software-Defined Era

The arrival of steer-by-wire in the Mercedes-Benz EQS represents a significant milestone for the German manufacturer.

For decades, steering has been one of the most fundamental mechanical interfaces between driver and vehicle. By replacing the traditional mechanical connection with an electronic architecture, Mercedes-Benz is effectively turning the steering system into another software-controlled component.

That fits naturally with the broader direction of the EQS.

The combination of steer-by-wire, rear-axle steering, 800-volt electrical architecture, new electric drive units, a two-speed rear gearbox, larger batteries and MB.OS makes the latest EQS considerably more technologically ambitious than the original model.

The goal is not simply to build an electric version of a conventional luxury sedan. Mercedes-Benz is attempting to redefine how a flagship luxury car interacts with its driver.

The EQS Becomes a Showcase for Mercedes-Benz Technology

As Mercedes-Benz’s flagship electric saloon, the EQS is an obvious candidate for introducing new technologies that could eventually spread across the wider model range.

Steer-by-wire is arguably one of the most important examples yet.

With a steering wheel that requires only 170 degrees of rotation, rear-wheel steering of up to 10 degrees and electronically controlled steering response, the EQS promises a combination of effortless manoeuvrability, improved refinement and sharper driving dynamics.

At the same time, the system demonstrates how Mercedes-Benz is moving away from traditional mechanical vehicle architectures toward software-defined cars.

The EQS has already established itself as a showcase for the company’s electric and digital technology. With steer-by-wire now entering series production, Mercedes-Benz is taking another significant step toward its vision of the next generation of luxury mobility.

Source: Mercedes-Benz