The Tesla Model S Is More Important Than You Think — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 235

Hagerty is an automotive insurance and collector-car media company. They’re known for insuring classic and enthusiast vehicles and for publishing content that resonates with people who care about car history and ownership costs.

The Tesla Model S is Tesla’s flagship electric sedan, and it became one of the most influential EVs in the modern era. In car culture, it’s often credited with proving that an electric car could be fast, practical, and desirable—not just a novelty.

A “philosophical shift” here means a change in how automakers approach the whole product, not just swapping engines for batteries. It suggests EVs can drive different engineering tradeoffs—software-first design, battery/thermal management priorities, and new ways to iterate based on data.

“Motor-train car of the year” refers to an award category focused on the vehicle’s powertrain—how well its engine/motor, drivetrain, and related systems work together. For EVs like Tesla, this typically means the electric motor(s), transmission/gear reduction strategy, and overall drivetrain integration.

“Hyperbolic” means using exaggerated language. In car reviews, it’s often used to describe claims that go beyond what the vehicle can realistically deliver, which can affect how credible the reviewer sounds.

A “signature edition” is a limited-run special variant, usually distinguished by unique exterior/interior details and low production numbers. In this case, Tesla is making a signature edition Model S to celebrate the end of the run, which typically increases desirability for collectors. The mention of an exclusive color reinforces how these editions are differentiated.

The Tesla Cybertruck is Tesla’s angular, stainless-steel-bodied electric pickup. The host calls it “painful,” implying it’s a flashpoint in Tesla’s public perception and in the host’s ongoing commentary. Even when the episode focuses on the Model S, the Cybertruck reference sets context for why Tesla reached out.

“End of the run” means the production period for a particular model/variant is winding down. Automakers often use limited editions to create a final, more collectible send-off before changes to the lineup or platform. The “250” figure here suggests Tesla is using scarcity as part of the marketing and collector appeal.

A “one year only color” is a paint color offered for a single model year, which can make it more desirable to collectors and enthusiasts. Limited availability can also affect how easy it is to verify originality and how well the car holds value.

The Lexus LS 400 is a first-generation luxury flagship sedan known for its early reputation for smoothness and build quality. In the studio, it’s used as a visual reference point while they talk about the other car’s significance.

An appearance package is a factory option or special edition that changes the car’s styling—things like exterior trim, paint, wheels, and badges—without necessarily adding major mechanical upgrades. That’s why the hosts say they didn’t spend much time on performance details.

“Plaid” refers to Tesla’s high-performance Model S trim branding. The hosts mention the plaid logo being gold and used in the interior, which signals a performance-oriented variant and a more premium, distinctive appearance.

A “new front end” indicates a styling refresh—changes to the nose, lighting, and overall front fascia. These updates can affect aerodynamics, cooling packaging, and how the car visually reads at a distance, which is why the hosts call it “stunningly beautiful.”

“Final updates” suggests a late-stage refresh cycle—typically the last major design/feature revision before a larger redesign or next-generation change. For buyers, this matters because it can mean the car has the most refined version of the current platform, but it may also be close to being superseded.

Mercedes-Benz is referenced as an example of a traditional automaker that, according to the host, has adopted features that trace back to the Tesla Model S. The point is about how Tesla’s software-first approach influenced competitors across the industry.

Porsche is used as another example of a major automaker whose dealerships now show features the host claims originated with the Tesla Model S. It supports the broader argument that software-driven EV/tech expectations spread beyond Tesla.

Toyota is included to emphasize that the Model S’s influence reached mainstream brands, not just luxury or performance makers. The host’s claim is that dealership floors now display tech features that weren’t common before Tesla popularized them.

Software updates refer to the ability to improve or change a vehicle’s functions after purchase, typically via over-the-air downloads. For EVs like the Model S, this turns the car into a platform that can gain features, fixes, and refinements over time rather than staying “frozen” at the original software version.

Touch screens in modern cars replace many physical buttons and controls with a digital interface. The host is using this as an example of how the Model S helped popularize a “computer-like” cabin experience that other brands later copied.

“Full self-driving” is Tesla’s branding for an advanced driver-assistance/automation capability that aims to handle more driving tasks than basic cruise control. The key point in this segment is that the Model S helped kick off the industry push toward software-driven autonomy features, even if real-world capability varies by system and regulations.

“Vaporware” is a term for something that’s announced or heavily marketed but is believed to be unlikely to actually be delivered. In this segment, it describes how people thought Tesla couldn’t realistically develop and launch the Model S sedan.

The Nissan Leaf is an early mass-market electric car that became a benchmark for everyday EV practicality. In this story, it represents the kind of real-world range anxiety and charging limitations people worried about in the early EV era.

Using extension cords to power or charge something is a workaround people sometimes resort to when they’re stranded and can’t access a proper charging setup. It highlights how limited charging infrastructure was during the early days of EV adoption.

“Infancy of EVs” refers to the early period when EVs were still new to mainstream buyers and charging networks were sparse. During that era, even cars with decent advertised range could feel unreliable because drivers couldn’t easily find charging when they needed it.

Rated range is the distance an EV is expected to travel under standardized testing conditions. Real-world range can be lower due to speed, temperature, elevation, and driving habits—leading to situations where a car “should” make it but doesn’t.

Range anxiety is the fear of running out of battery before reaching a destination or a charging station. It’s especially intense when you’re driving at night, in cold weather, or when the car’s real-world range is lower than advertised.

The Porsche Taycan is Porsche’s all-electric performance sedan, and the hosts connect it to the influence of the Tesla Model S. The point is that early EV success from Tesla helped justify Porsche’s move into EVs.

An electric sports car is a performance-focused vehicle where propulsion is electric rather than gasoline. The episode uses this idea to discuss how Tesla helped shift perceptions of what EVs could be, including performance and driving excitement.

Superchargers are Tesla’s high-power fast-charging network for electric vehicles. In early EV days, access to reliable fast charging infrastructure could make long trips risky or impractical.

Charging stations are public or semi-public locations where electric cars can recharge. The hosts contrast early EV ownership—when charging access was limited—with later improvements that reduced “stranded” scenarios.

“Being stranded” in an EV context usually means you can’t drive to a safe destination because you can’t charge soon enough (or at all). Limited charging infrastructure increases the risk that a breakdown or unexpected detour leaves you without a practical way to recover.

“Phased out” means a product is gradually discontinued rather than replaced immediately. In auto terms, this often reflects a shift in strategy, manufacturing priorities, or the timing of a successor model.

Repurposing an automaker’s factory for humanoid robots signals a major shift from vehicle production to robotics manufacturing. It also implies changes in capital allocation, workforce planning, and long-term product strategy.

The discussion raises whether Tesla is shifting its identity from a car manufacturer toward a broader technology/robotics company. That’s relevant to listeners because it can affect future vehicle roadmaps, support, and where R&D dollars go.

When the host says they appreciate “the engineering that goes in the car,” they’re pointing to the technical work behind the vehicle—how systems are designed to work together (powertrain, electronics, packaging, and software). In EVs especially, engineering choices strongly affect performance, efficiency, and how the car feels to drive.

“Day-to-day operations” refers to ongoing, routine decision-making and management rather than occasional oversight. The host is using it to argue that Elon Musk’s involvement is still active in company decisions that affect the cars.

The Hyundai Elantra Stratos is a rally-inspired concept/competition car associated with Hyundai’s motorsport program. It’s the kind of project that shows how Hyundai can build performance hardware and engineering solutions beyond just its production cars.

The Lancia Stratos is a legendary sports car best known for its rally heritage. It’s significant because it was built to compete in rally racing and became an icon of that era. In a podcast, it may come up as an example of a niche, purpose-built performance machine.

Elon Musk is the public face of Tesla and a major influence on how the brand is perceived online. When the hosts say people judge Tesla by what Elon tweets, they’re pointing to the disconnect between brand reputation and the actual engineering/product work.

The Tesla Model Y is Tesla’s compact electric SUV and another key volume driver for the company. In this segment, it’s grouped with Model 3 to show that higher-selling models can justify continued investment better than lower-volume variants like Model S.

R1S is the Rivian R1S, an electric SUV from Rivian. The hosts mention it as a competitor in the same general “large SUV” space, implying that if Tesla built a new large SUV, it would face Rivian’s offerings.

R2 refers to the Rivian R2, Rivian’s smaller, more affordable electric vehicle concept/line compared with its larger models. In this segment, it’s mentioned alongside the R1S as part of Rivian’s lineup that could compete with a hypothetical Tesla large SUV.

This is a distinction between EVs as a practical mobility tool versus EVs as a source of driving pleasure. The hosts argue that many people view EVs primarily through efficiency and convenience, while the Roadster is framed as an attempt to deliver “joy” through feel and dynamics.

The Tesla Roadster is Tesla’s sports-car concept/line focused on driving excitement rather than just commuting. Here, the hosts compare the upcoming Roadster idea to the original Tesla Roadster, emphasizing that it can be “joyful” due to its lightweight feel and more analog steering character.

Analog steering refers to a steering feel that’s more direct and communicative, often with less artificial filtering than typical modern “assist” calibration. In EVs, steering can be tuned to feel either numb/isolated or more connected, and the hosts credit analog steering as part of what made the original Tesla Roadster feel joyful.

Lightweight design improves responsiveness and agility, especially in a sports car where steering and acceleration feel more immediate. The hosts attribute part of the original Tesla Roadster’s “joy” to its low mass, which helps it feel nimble despite being an EV.

The Lotus Elise is a lightweight, driver-focused sports car known for its small size and agile handling. In this segment, it’s used as a contrast point for how EVs (and especially Tesla’s approach) may change the feel of classic roadster-style cars.

A manual transmission is a gearbox where the driver selects gears using a clutch pedal and a gear lever. The hosts mention keeping it as a way to preserve the “analog” driving feel that many enthusiasts associate with classic sports cars.

Manual steering means the steering system provides a more direct, mechanically assisted feel rather than relying on electronic actuation. The segment contrasts “manual steering” with “by wire everything,” implying the new EV platform may use electronic steering control for packaging and software flexibility.

“By wire” refers to replacing traditional mechanical linkages with electronic control signals (for example, electronic steering and throttle/brake control). The hosts are suggesting the new Tesla Roadster experience will be heavily software- and sensor-driven rather than mechanically connected in the classic way.

Driverless autonomous taxis (robotaxis) are fleets of self-driving vehicles that provide ride-hailing service without a human driver. The hosts frame this as Tesla’s likely growth path, because the business scales with fleet utilization and recurring service revenue rather than one-time vehicle sales.

“Flared” describes bodywork that bulges outward around the wheel arches or fenders. It’s often used to fit wider tires and improve stance, and it can also affect aerodynamics and cooling airflow. Here, the hosts clarify that the cabin isn’t flared, but the fenders and other exterior surfaces are.

The ZR1 is a high-performance Corvette trim known for its wide-body look, including flared fenders at the front and rear. The hosts use it as a visual comparison for how the Tesla’s flaring is (and isn’t) similar.

A prototype is an early version of a vehicle built to test design, packaging, and drivability before final production. In this case, the prototype was “drivable,” meaning it had enough functional systems to be driven and evaluated.

“Cut in half” describes a development technique where an existing vehicle’s structure is physically modified to create a test mule. Using the basic structure while changing key elements helps engineers validate fitment, structural layout, and packaging for the new powertrain and styling.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a four-door “coupe” sedan known for its sloping roofline and luxury focus. The transcript says the prototype was based on a Mercedes CLS body/structure that was cut and modified, which is a common approach for early EV development.

The Toyota RAV4 EV is an electric version of the RAV4 compact SUV. In the context of this episode, it’s brought up as an example of a non-Tesla automaker doing an EV project that’s “Tesla powered,” which highlights how electrification efforts can be partial or experimental.

Electrification is the shift from gasoline engines to electric powertrains, including full battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The hosts use it to frame a company’s strategy: whether it embraces EVs broadly or treats them as a side project.

An electric drive is the system that turns electrical energy into motion—typically involving an electric motor, inverter, and related control electronics. In the transcript, it’s referenced as part of an EV project name/description, pointing to the underlying propulsion technology rather than the vehicle body style.

“Bricked” means the vehicle (or its computer) becomes unusable due to a software or firmware failure—often after an update or during a prototype build. In an EV, that can also prevent normal functions like unlocking, moving, or accessing systems needed for charging or diagnostics.

The hatch is the rear door/cover that opens to provide access to the cargo area and, on some vehicles, service access points. Here it’s mentioned because the team couldn’t open it to reach components needed for the prototype to be usable.

In an EV, the battery pack is the high-voltage energy storage system that powers the drivetrain. The hosts mention trying to access the battery area because the prototype was locked up and couldn’t be made ready for driving.

The Tesla Semi is an all-electric heavy-duty truck designed for long-haul freight. It’s significant because it targets a segment—big commercial trucking—that’s traditionally been difficult to electrify at scale. In the podcast, it’s referenced with a vivid sense of size and presence, fitting the “enormous truck” description.

The hosts are emphasizing the physical constraints of vehicle logistics: a trailer can be ~50 feet by itself, and the entire rig can reach ~80 feet. This matters for deliveries because tight driveways, street parking, and turning radius can make placement impossible.

An “embargo” in automotive media is a restriction on when journalists can publish photos, details, or impressions of a new vehicle. It’s used to ensure the manufacturer controls the reveal timeline and prevents early leaks from spoiling the launch messaging.

The Mazda 6 is a mainstream midsize sedan/crossover-like sedan from Mazda, often associated with a more traditional design language. The hosts use it as a comparison point for the “super curvy” styling they’re seeing in a car that resembles a Model S.

In automotive design, “silhouette” refers to the overall outline and proportions of a vehicle as seen from a distance. It’s a key part of how cars become recognizable, because even without details like headlights or grilles, the shape still reads as a particular brand or model family.

A “pseudo grill” is a fake-looking grille element used for styling rather than for traditional engine cooling. The hosts mention it alongside the “nose cone,” implying Tesla removed or altered these visual features once they realized they weren’t required for actual cooling.

SpaceX is Elon Musk’s aerospace company, and the hosts say Tesla wanted the front-end styling to be reminiscent of a spaceship. This is an example of how brand/creator imagery can influence automotive design language beyond pure aerodynamics.

Hill hold is a driver-assist feature that helps prevent the car from rolling backward when you start on an incline. In an EV, it typically uses the brakes to hold the vehicle until you apply enough accelerator to move forward.

Brake assist is a safety system that detects emergency braking conditions and boosts braking force to help reduce stopping distance. The hosts are contrasting an earlier configuration that lacked this assistance with later cars that include it.

A “shifter” is the control used to select drive modes (like Park/Reverse/Drive). Mentioning a “Mercedes shifter” suggests the early Model S used components or a design approach sourced from other manufacturers, highlighting how parts sourcing can vary by production era.

“Off-the-shelf” means using existing, commercially available parts rather than designing everything from scratch. The hosts use this idea to explain why early Tesla Model S builds could feel like they borrowed hardware (like controls and pedal assemblies) from other manufacturers.

The accelerator pedal assembly is the hardware that translates your foot input into an electrical or mechanical signal for the drive system. In EVs, it’s especially important because pedal position often directly commands motor torque via electronic control.

“Early production” refers to the initial phase of manufacturing when designs are still being validated and assembly processes may be adjusted. This segment illustrates how small fitment or retention issues (like a switch not staying put) can lead to ad-hoc fixes on the line until the process is refined.

Superglue (cyanoacrylate adhesive) is a fast-setting bonding agent used to temporarily or permanently secure parts. The anecdote highlights how early production sometimes used additional adhesive to ensure a small component stayed fixed until a more robust design or method was implemented.

“Building a car from scratch” implies developing the vehicle platform, systems, and manufacturing approach rather than relying on an existing shared architecture. The “scrappy” framing suggests limited resources and tight budgets during early development and production ramp-up.

“Build quality” refers to how well a car is assembled—things like panel fit, interior trim finishing, and how solid the materials feel. Early production vehicles can sometimes show rough edges that later improve as manufacturing processes mature.

Claiming the Model S became the “number one selling car in the world” is about market impact and sales leadership, but the exact ranking depends on the time period and whether the comparison is by model, brand, or region. The speaker uses it to emphasize Tesla’s broader influence.

Aerodynamic focus means designing the car’s shape to reduce drag and improve efficiency, stability, and sometimes high-speed performance. The hosts connect this idea to both the Citroën DS and the Tesla Model S, arguing that their shapes weren’t just styling—they were engineering.

“Oleoneumatic” refers to a hydropneumatic suspension system that uses oil and compressed gas (pneumatics) to provide springing and damping. The hosts mention it in the context of the Citroën DS, highlighting how unusual and advanced its suspension technology was for its era.