We are going “undercover” in the R1S. We’re heading out to meet a giant in the Tesla community, someone whose driveway looks less like a personal home and more like a high-end Tesla dealership. I’m talking about our good friend Kobra.
I’ve known Kobra for a while, but even I was blown away to find out he currently owns virtually every Tesla model in the lineup. We’re joining him and ButterEV for a special content collaboration day. While Kobra is busy filming his main feature (make sure you go check out his channel for the full story!), I’m here to give you the raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to manage a secret EV fleet of this magnitude.
The “Support Vehicle”: Why the Rivian R1S is Essential
You might be wondering why I brought the Rivian to a Tesla-heavy shoot. Kobra had a very specific technical requirement: he needed an on-board air compressor.
Part of Kobra’s video concept involved attaching a massive amount of balloons to the cars—kind of an “Up” inspired EV look. COURTESY of the Rivian R1S, we were able to blow up the entire set’s worth of balloons right on location. It’s a perfect example of why I love the utility of the Rivian; even in a fleet of Teslas, the R1S brings hardware to the table that the current Tesla passenger cars just don’t have.
Exposing the Fleet: A Model for Every Occasion
Seeing all of Kobra’s cars lined up is a masterclass in Tesla’s design evolution. Here’s what’s currently sitting in the “Kobra Dealership”:
- Tesla Model 3: This one features a stunning custom wrap. I was following it on the way to the shoot, and the color is absolutely “dope”—it shifts beautifully in the light.
- Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive: Kobra recently picked up the Black Edition. I actually considered a RWD Model Y myself before settling on my current All-Wheel Drive Juniper, so it was great to see this spec in person.
- Tesla Cybertruck: Of course, he has the truck. It’s fully wrapped, and despite some minor imperfections in the DIY application (we’ve all been there!), it looks incredibly rugged.
- Tesla Model X Ultra Red: This is the one that really hit home for me. It’s a twin to our old Model X Plaid—Ultra Red exterior with the Cream interior. In my opinion, cream is arguably the best interior color Tesla offers.
The Nostalgia Trip: Driving the Model X Again
As we were wrapping up the shoot, I had the chance to drive Kobra’s Model X back to his place. It was a total nostalgia trip. Driving that Ultra Red beast reminded me of everything I miss about the X: the effortless air suspension and that massive panoramic view. But it also reminded me of what I don’t miss—the haptic steering wheel buttons. I’m still a “real button” guy at heart, which is why I’m so vocal about the controls in my technical reviews.
Hardware Review: Fleet Specs
| Vehicle | Standout Feature | My Technical Take |
| Model 3 | Custom Color-Shift Wrap | Best-looking sedan in the group. |
| Model Y RWD | Black Edition | Great value play for a daily driver. |
| Cybertruck | Custom KTA Wrap | The ultimate utility tool for the fleet. |
| Model X | Cream Interior / PPF | The high-end luxury flagship of his collection. |
Community and Content
Spending the day with Kobra and Butter EV was a blast. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical specs of these cars, but the real soul of the EV movement is the community. Whether we’re racing, filming, or just troubleshooting balloon setups, it’s these connections that keep the Smartin Up Creations engine running.
Kobra’s video is going to be both informative and hilarious, so make sure you give him a sub. And if you’re looking for more behind-the-scenes tech, make sure you’re following Butter EV as well.
