Elon Musk has openly suggested he has no issue with aftermarket companies tuning and modifying Tesla vehicles.
Last week, the outspoken entrepreneur sat down with comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan to speak about all things Tesla, Covid-19, and everything else in between. At one stage during the 2-hour long podcast, Rogan asked Musk how he felt about modifying Tesla models, pointing specifically to the S-Apex from Unplugged Performance first unveiled back in 2018.
“Sounds good to me, sure,” Musk said in response. He added that he has “no problem” with tuning, particularly in regards to “lightening the car up and improving tire traction.”
Unplugged Performance S-Apex Tesla Model S
Unplugged Performance’s S-Apex is one of the most eye-catching upgrade packages available for the Tesla Model S and includes flared front and rear wheel arches, a handful of new aero parts, and other upgrades.
For the most part, Tesla tuning companies like Unplugged Performance appear to focus primarily on tweaking the styling of the car manufacturer’s vehicles while also working on components such as the brakes and suspension. While there was no discussion between Rogan and Musk about how modifying a Tesla vehicle could potentially impact the warranty, we imagine tinkering with parts such as the electric motors and battery pack could result in it being void.
Speaking with Electrek, Unplugged Performance’s chief executive Ben Schaffer explained the tuner’s philosophy.
“We started Unplugged Performance back in 2013 to add value to Tesla’s mission. We were early converts and have made every effort within in our ability to accelerate the movement. The added value we bring is to accelerate the Tesla mission within car enthusiast culture by doing things that Tesla simply does not have prioritization for internally.”
Side note: If you have the time, we highly recommend listening to the full podcast below.