Tesla Mad Max: The Terrifying Autopilot Mode

Tesla’s “Mad Max” mode, an aggressive semi-autonomous driving profile, is making headlines again in the United States.

Among the most talked-about features from the California automaker, the “Mad Max” mode embodies both Elon Musk’s offbeat humor and the concerns raised by semi-autonomous driving. Originally introduced in 2018 and recently rolled out more broadly with the FSD v14.1.2 update, this profile allows Teslas to overtake more quickly and more frequently on highways, adjusting the aggressiveness of lane changes compared to the standard “Mild” or “Average” modes. While the system is not yet available in Europe, it already raises many questions about the safety and regulation of autonomous vehicles.

And Tesla invents the angry autopilot

This mode draws particular attention because it pushes the system to adopt bold driving while theoretically staying within legal limits. However, controversy arose with reports of repeated overtaking maneuvers and speeds exceeding limits, prompting an investigation by the NHTSA, the U.S. road safety agency. Videos are also circulating on social networks showing Teslas changing lanes very aggressively, which fuels the debate about the risks related to Full Self-Driving.

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This controversy perfectly illustrates the tension between technological innovation, driver expectations, and regulatory constraints. The “Mad Max” mode demonstrates how Tesla continues to push the boundaries of driving assistance while drawing authorities’ attention and fueling road safety debates. In Europe, the “Mad Max” mode is not yet offered to drivers for the simple reason that Tesla’s autonomous driving systems have not been approved. In the United States, it provokes reactions and concerns. It therefore foreshadows discussions that will undoubtedly develop in Europe as soon as Tesla tries to deploy its Full Self-Driving on a large scale.

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