Tesla Week 22/26: Model 3 Plaid, FSD Estonia, Level 4 in Texas, Camera Patent, Ferrari Sound
The 22nd calendar week of 2026 brings exciting news for Tesla fans. From a possible Model 3 Plaid version to the expansion of FSD Supervised in Estonia and a Level 4 approval in Texas, here are the key developments.
Model 3 Plaid: Rumors of a New Performance Variant
For months, speculation has circulated about a Model 3 Plaid. Now, evidence is mounting. Insiders suggest Tesla may be planning a version with three motors and over 1,000 hp. As the Tesla FSD Supervised v14.3.4 with Smart Summon for Cybertruck Rollout shows, the company continuously works on performance upgrades. An official statement is still pending, but anticipation is high.
FSD Supervised Launches in Estonia
Tesla has now introduced FSD Supervised in Estonia. After Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands, Estonia is the fourth EU country to receive the highly automated driving function. Approval was granted through the Dutch RDW, which also serves as a central approval body for other countries. Tesla emphasizes that the system meets strict UNECE requirements. Initial reports show that local traffic rules and road conditions have been adapted. More details can be found in our article Tesla FSD in Europe: No Mandatory EU Approval Required.
Level 4 in Texas: Tesla Receives Historic Approval
In the USA, Tesla has cleared a major hurdle: the state of Texas granted approval for Level 4 fully autonomous driving without a human driver. Although usage is initially limited to specific test routes near Austin and Houston, this marks a turning point. Analysts, like those who previously Wall Street Analyst Claims: Tesla Has Achieved Level 4 Autonomous Driving predicted, see Tesla's neural networks as key. The combination of Hardware 3/4 and continuous data improvement from the fleet enables these advances.
Camera Patent: New Technology for Better Visibility
Tesla has filed a patent for a novel camera system designed to improve visibility in poor lighting and fog. The technology is based on a special coating on the lens that reduces light scattering and enhances contrast. This could be an important step in further reducing reliance on lidar sensors. Experts see this as an advantage for the Tesla FSD Supervised Approved in Denmark: Highly Automated Driving on Danish Roads systems being tested under Nordic weather conditions.
Ferrari Sound for the Cybertruck
A more quirky update: Tesla offers a Ferrari V12 sound for the Cybertruck via an OTA update.