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Leak reveals a Tesla Model S P100D with an even bigger battery

Published Mar 8th, 2016 6:40PM EST

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White-hat hacker and Tesla P85D owner Jason Hughes recently found out an interesting detail while digging through the code in the latest firmware version of his Model S: A new model is in the works, and it’ll pack a battery bigger than ever.

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Hughes discovered the information about the P100D in firmware version 2.13.77. He then cryptically told Elon Musk and Tesla that he knew their secret:

A day later, he found out that the firmware of his Tesla model was downgraded to version 2.12.45 without his knowledge. Mentioning that his car was hacked using “some method I was unaware of,” he told Musk about it in a tweet. However, the CEO, who’s used to answering back to critics, took no responsibility for the software downgrade.

“Wasn’t done at my request,” he said. “Good hacking is a gift.”

Musk previously challenged a New York Times article with data originating from the review car, Ars Technica reminds us, and canceled a customer’s order after a “rude” post. Perhaps Tesla removed the software update as it may have included additional hints about Tesla’s future P100D model.

It’s not known when the P100D model will be launched. But Tesla is getting ready to start taking preorders for its cheapest electric car yet, the $35,000 Tesla Model 3, on April 1st.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.