After it’s launch in 2012, the Tesla Model S is almost 10 years old and Tesla has just announced a long-awaited update for it and the Model X. Faster, more tech and more range, you would think the main event would be the mechanics or the technology that gets the amazing performance figures.
It’s not. It’s the interior that has everyone talking with the centre of attention going to that steering wheel.
What is all the talk about with the Tesla Model S?
Before we talk about the new square that drivers will have to learn to use, let’s talk about the touchscreen. Before, the Tesla Model S had a portrait-style layout. Now, the new interior will have a seventeen-inch landscape display with a 2200×1300 resolution, brighter colours and improved responsiveness.
The steering wheel does have a lot of talk about it, both for it and against it. There is a reason why steering wheels are round and not like Formula race cars, but this does look like fun. There was another big change in the fact that there were no stalks. So how does the car shift into gear?
Elon Musk says, “Car guesses drive direction based on what obstacles it sees, context & nav map. You can override on touchscreen.” This was based on a Twitter response to a Tesla fan.
So the car picks drive or reverse for you and it probably makes the assumption based on your surroundings and location. You can also pick a gear from the touchscreen if the Tesla does not pick the one you want.
The rest of the Model S cabin keeps the same feel as the previous Model S. This time there is more wood and the rear seats have new bolsterings as well as a display that passengers can share on the centre console.
All these updates will also be used in the SUV Tesla, the Model X.
The exterior design got an update too with new trim options.
On the outside, the Tesla Model S stays very recognisable although more aggressive and with new wheels. The Performance trim level will also be replaced for the Plaid trim that has three motors to get it to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. Sorry for using the imperial system, we don’t have the 100 km/h time but it would be very close.
A new addition to the line up is planned too. It’s being called the Plaid+. Tesla says that it will set a world record in the range department with a total of 836 km. It also still keeps the same acceleration time that the regular Plaid model set.
We are curious about what your thoughts are on the new interior. Do you like it, hate it or have the same mixed feelings about it as we do?
