--- description: Elon Musk's recently unveiled Tesla X model comes with a "bioweapon defense mode" button in case of an apocalypse. title: This Is the New Tesla's Weirdest Feature image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4403f953c3be3d63/698866432dce014c6c9e5cc5/gettyimages-490596060-1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # This Is the New Tesla's Weirdest Feature by [Benjamin Snyder / Fortune](/author/benjamin-snyder/) ## Benjamin Snyder / Fortune Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 30, 2015 5:15 PM CUT  The Tesla Motors Inc. Model X sport utility vehicle (SUV) is driven during an event in Fremont, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. The Tesla Motors Inc. Model X sport utility vehicle (SUV) is driven during an event in Fremont, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015.Bloomberg—Bloomberg via Getty Images by [Benjamin Snyder / Fortune](/author/benjamin-snyder/) ## Benjamin Snyder / Fortune Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 30, 2015 5:15 PM CUT Tesla’s new SUV, the Model X, comes with a strange new feature: A “bioweapon defense mode” designed to protect the driver in catastrophic conditions. “This is a real button,” said Musk Tuesday while unveiling the new vehicle, [according to _The Verge_](http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/30/9421719/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode-button "undefined"). The car’s air filter “gives you hospital level air quality,” Musk said. Musk said that the button can be used “if there’s ever an apocalyptic scenario of some kind.” By pressing the button, the model’s air filter kicks into its maximum level of filtration. “We’re trying to be a leader in apocalyptic defense scenarios,” Musk said. Per The Verge: --- > “” --- Still, driving into a biohazard zone is probably not recommended. [See the Coolest Features of Tesla’s Newest Car](http://time.com/4056182/tesla-model-x-suv-features/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/"},"headline":"This Is the New Tesla's Weirdest Feature","datePublished":"2015-09-30T17:15:06.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:06:43.121Z","description":"In case of apocalypse, press button","url":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/","keywords":["Tech","Autos","Elon Musk","Tesla","pubdesk"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4403f953c3be3d63/698866432dce014c6c9e5cc5/gettyimages-490596060-1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Benjamin Snyder / Fortune"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4403f953c3be3d63/698866432dce014c6c9e5cc5/gettyimages-490596060-1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Tesla Motors Inc. Model X SUV Reveal","caption":"Tesla Motors Inc. Model X SUV Reveal","creditText":"Bloomberg—Bloomberg via Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/","name":"This Is the New Tesla's Weirdest Feature"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Watch: Elon Musk Introduce the New Tesla","description":"Watch: Elon Musk Introduce the New Tesla","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4fmG3mnE/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-09-30T12:21:05.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/4fmG3mnE.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/","duration":"PT1M4S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4056139/tesla-model-x-bioweapon-defense-mode/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```