Tesla Model 3 News, Updates: Sedan Nails Recent IIHS Tests; Obsidian Black Model Production and Autopilot Upgrade Release Confirmed

The Tesla Model 3 has shown decent performance in another set of test drives, this one conducted by the Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety (IIHS). Meanwhile, the production of the Obsidian Black variant and the release of Autopilot Hardware 3 were confirmed this week.

Tesla Model 3 Stands Out in IIHS Tests

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 was one of the vehicles tested by the IIHS focused on the on-road performance of the adaptive cruise control (ACC) and active lane-keeping features. Other cars with autonomous systems tested were the 2017 BMW 5-series, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the 2016 Model S, and the 2018 Volvo S90 which were all equipped with their respective auto driving systems at the time of the evaluation.

The ACC, as the name suggests, is a system composed of sensors allowing vehicles to automatically adjust driving speeds and hit a full stop if necessary as safety precautions on the road. IIHS evaluated the accuracy of the ACC system on all the said vehicles, including the Tesla Model 3, through four on-track tests.

In one test, the cars were running at 31 mph with a stationary vehicle ahead. The Tesla Model 3 was noted to be one of the tested vehicles that “braked earlier and gentler” without hitting the parked target with the ACC system engaged. IIHS also noted that it was a better experience than solely relying on its auto-brake feature.

Owner’s manuals of all five cars reportedly remind that ACC systems “may not brake when [they] encounter vehicles that are already stopped when they come into sensor range.” But all cars except the S90 performed well during an on-track test. However, only the Tesla Model 3’s ACC accurately responded to stopped vehicles ahead during the on-road test.

IIHS also tested how the cars’ active lane-keeping systems will perform especially along “curves and hills.”

“To test active lane-keeping on curves, engineers conducted six trials with each vehicle on three different sections of road with radii ranging from 1,300 to 2,000 feet,” IIHS explained. Kudos to Tesla because IIHS reported that the Model 3 was the only vehicle that stayed in its lane with accuracy on all 18 tests.

Tesla Begins Obsidian Black Variant Production, Autopilot 3 to Come Out Soon

It was confirmed to Electrek’s Fred Lambert that the company will start production of the Obsidian Black variant for the Tesla Model 3 Performance by “next week.” Added to that, Lambert was told that deliveries of this car variant are set immediately after completing production.

Meanwhile, Autopilot Hardware 3 for Tesla cars including the Model 3 is expected to be released within four to six months, according to Elon Musk. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3’s price starts at $35,000.