NHTSA granted the Model X an exemption from typical anti-theft device standards earlier this week, it goes on to describe the Model X (and therefore Model S?) anti-theft system. And confirms at the very least the MX will have door handles. Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014) Here's part of it: Under 49 CFR Part 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to grant an exemption for one vehicle line per model year. In its petition, Tesla provided a detailed description and diagram of the identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft device for the Model X vehicle line. Tesla proposes to install a passive, transponder-based, electronic engine immobilizer device as standard equipment on its Model X vehicle line beginning with its MY 2014 vehicles. Key components of the antitheft device include an engine immobilizer, central body controller, security controller, gateway function, drive inverters and a passive entry transponder (PET). Tesla also stated that the new design of its immobilizer device will have enhanced security communication between its components, prevent tampering and provide additional features to enhance its overall effectiveness. Tesla further stated that in addition to its immobilizer device, it will incorporate an audible alarm (horn) as standard equipment, but will not include a visual feature with the alarm system. Tesla stated that forced entry into the vehicle or any type of entry without the correct PET will trigger the audible alarm. Tesla further stated that in addition to an access through the doors, the alarm will also trigger when a break-in is attempted to either the front or rear cargo areas. Tesla further explained that its antitheft device will have a two-step activation process with a vehicle code query conducted at each stage. The first stage allows access to the vehicle when an authorization cycle occurs between the PET and the Security Controller, as long as the PET is in close proximity to the car and the driver either pushes the lock/unlock button on the key fob, pushes the exterior door handle to activate the handle sensors or inserts a hand into the handle to trigger the latch release. During the second stage, vehicle operation will be enabled when the driver has depressed the brake pedal and moves the gear selection stalk to drive or reverse. When one of these actions is performed, the security controller will poll to verify if the appropriate PET is inside the vehicle. Upon location of the PET, the security controller will run an authentication cycle with the key confirming the correct PET is being used inside the vehicle. Tesla stated that once authentication is successful, the security controller initiates a coded message through the gateway. If the code exchange matches the code stored in the drive inverters, the exchange will authorize the drive inverter to deactivate immobilization allowing the vehicle to be driven under its own power. Tesla stated that the immobilizer functions to ensure maximum theft protection when the immobilizer is active, the vehicle is off and the doors are locked. Tesla stated that it will incorporate an additional security measure that performs when the car is unlocked and immobilization is deactivated. Specifically, immobilization will reactivate when there are no user inputs to the vehicle within a programmed period of time. Tesla stated that any attempt to operate the vehicle without performing and completing each task, will render the vehicle inoperable. Tesla's submission is considered a complete petition as required by 49 CFR 543.7 in that it meets the general requirements contained in 543.5 and the specific content requirements of 543.6. In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Tesla provided information on the reliability and durability of its proposed device. Tesla stated that the antitheft device will be upgraded with a more robust design than the antitheft device already installed as standard equipment on its Model S vehicle line. To ensure reliability and durability of the device, Tesla conducted tests based on its own specified standards. Tesla provided a detailed list of the tests conducted and stated that it believes that its device is reliable and durable because it complied with its design standards. Additionally, Tesla stated that it has also incorporated other measures of ensuring reliability and durability of the device to protect the immobilizer device from exposure to the elements and limits its access by unauthorized personnel. Additionally, Tesla stated that the immobilizer relies on electronic functions and not mechanical functions, and therefore expects the components to last at least the life of the vehicle or longer.
From the sound of things it is exactly the same system that is used in the Model S. The door handles will likely be the same retractable type as the Model S despite the prototype having dummy handles that don't extend. I'm not sure what part of the usual standard requires exemption, but it likely is tied to features that only apply to gas-powered engines.
The puns are strong in this thread. Great find on the exemption, I would love to know what is actually different about the two systems (between the S and X).
Wondering if any changes in design come from something they may have learned from the defcon challenge. Hm.