Tesla has "redesigned" the Model S and Model X

[F1 Silver Arrows]

They basically did the exact opposite Lexus has done for the new IS, for the Model S and Model X. They've improved everything powertrain-wise, added more vents in the front fascia, redid the dashboard electronics and added a gauge cluster in front of the driver (that sounds so weird to say). There's also a... *sigh* a yoke-style (it would be so insulting to F1 cars to call it a F1-style steering wheel) steering wheel that you see in planes...

I'll be the first to say it. The Model S and Model X have aged extremely well. However, I really expected a legitimate redesign and not a facelift. Now seeing this I wouldn't be surprised if they take a VW approach with the Type 1 Beetle and produce the Model S and Model X with this similar body style for several more years, maybe even decades.

Tesla Shows Redesigned Model S, Promises Version with 520-Mile Range
It gets a streamlined interior complete with a yoke-style steering wheel and is out this spring, but the long-range Model S Plaid+ is coming later in the year.

BY ROBERTO BALDWIN
JAN 27, 2021

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TESLA

• Tesla announced that its latest Model S and Model X will go into production in the first quarter of 2021 and will reach customers in the spring.
• The automaker shared images of the new Model S complete with a redesigned interior that includes a screen for rear passengers.
• The Plaid+ version of the Model S, coming later in the year, is targeting a range of 520 miles.

Update 1/27/21 10:30pm ET: While Tesla’s site has noted since the unveiling of the vehicle that the Model S Plaid will begin deliveries in March, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted out that the vehicle will be available next month (February). As of now, the delivery dates of the rest of the new lineup has stayed the same.
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In December, Tesla announced to employees working on the Model S and X lines that the company would be shutting down those production lines for 18 days. The result of that pause in production is updated Model S and Model X vehicles landing in the first quarter of 2021. Tesla shared images of the Model S when reporting quarterly results.

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While the exterior has gotten a modest upgrade with more aggressive haunches and a sleeker hood, the interior has received a major overhaul to make it more streamlined. While the automaker has decided to keep the dash cluster in the Model S, the yoke-style steering wheel—which has done away with stalks altogether—does convey a sort of '80s nostalgia that’s reminiscent of K.I.T.T., the car from Knight Rider. The new Model X gets the same interior treatment.

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One nice upgrade is a tiny screen in the center console for those in the back of the vehicle. As Tesla pushes for more entertainment in its cars, it's likely that this screen will allow rear passengers to play games and watch videos while the vehicle is being driven.
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TESLA MODEL X
TESLA
Tesla says that it has updated the powertrain, battery pack, battery module, and drive units on the new vehicles. The Long Range version of the Model S is expected to be available in March with a target range of 412 miles. Meanwhile, the Plaid is targeting a 390-mile range with 1020 horsepower. Like the Long-Range model, it's expected to be available in March. At the top end, the 1100-hp Plaid+ is targeting a 520-mile range, a zero-to-60-mph time of less than two seconds, and a tri-motor powertrain. It will be available in late 2021. The new Model X is expected to go on sale in April.

 

[Levi]

what are tesla fans going to say about vents?

 

[Ian Schmidt]

One point - as far as I know the Model S has always had a gauge cluster, it's some other Teslas that don't.

Also, it's been pointed out that the new base MSRP is the same as the Taycan's, which is interesting.

 

[Motor]

what are tesla fans going to say about vents?

Elon and Tesla can do no wrong

 

[Sulu]

Really, a yoke-style steering wheel? What will they think of next? I can see the common driver now needing 4 lanes (instead of merely crossing over one line and just taking up 2 lanes) to make a right turn.

I have noticed that so many of the drivers who drive with only 1 hand on the wheel making WIDE right turns because they cannot swing the steering wheel around enough with only 1 hand to make a normal right turn, so they cross into that outside lane once they have made the turn.

With this yoke-style wheel, those hand-over-hand turns of the steering wheel they taught in driving school will not be possible.

 

[IS-SV]

Really, a yoke-style steering wheel? Yes, I'm wondering if this yoke-style wheel will actually go into production on S/X (and shifter and turn signal stalks tbd too)...

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Apparently the new Roadster also has this yoke-style wheel. If Elon's going to go full KITT I want an LED strip on the front that scans back and forth.

 

[Will1991]

Tesla Model S Plaid+ has the most amazing spec sheet ever for a mass-production road legal sedan.

It will be really fun to watch almost everything there is (Ferrari, Mclaren, Lamborghini, ....) to once again be demolished on the dragstrip by a battery powered sedan that costs a fraction....

 

[Sulu]

Apparently, this is what Tesla was thinking of next: a read-your-mind gear selector.

Tesla Model S and Model X to shift themselves by 'guessing'

The updated Tesla Model S and Model X don't have a physical shifter. The cars are designed to shift themselves instead.

www.autoblog.com

The Model S and X have also done away with the steering column stalk gear selector that Tesla inherited from Mercedes-Benz.

No more stalks. Car guesses drive direction based on what obstacles it sees, context & nav map. You can override on touchscreen.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2021

Would a Tesla be able to guess when I want to back into a parking spot or my driveway?

If Tesla is really going to move more and more of these necessary functions to the touchscreen, count me out as a Tesla customer. I could foresee it being much more difficult to select the proper gear on a touchscreen, not to mention that older Tesla Model S and X have had problems with the touchscreens that failed (Nvidia Tegra 3 processor has an integrated 8GB eMMC NAND flash memory device that fails, rendering the complete infotainment screen inoperative).

 

[Sulu]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may not be happy with the yoke.

Feds 'Reaching Out' To Tesla Over Safety Of Steering Yoke In Model S

The updated Tesla Model S has a new interior with a strange yoke-like steering wheel, but it may not meet NHTSA standards.

www.motor1.com

It certainly grabbed our eye, not to mention the eye of just about everyone who caught the new Tesla announcement. Our debut article was filled with reader comments ranging from the steering ratio necessary to accommodate that design, to whether or not it's even legal for a production car.

 

[spwolf]

yoke is a joke, PR move.

Update looks good, they saved money with no exterior major changes. Tesla is all about cost cutting because cost of EV components is so high.

Stalk was pretty useful and ergonomic, I guess they added bunch of buttons to the steering wheel (capacitive?)? It is probably one of the cost cutting moves.

 

[LS500-18]

You gotta hand it to Elon, he's a master at grabbing headlines. They managed to get the Internet abuzz on the steering yoke because the outside doesn't look any different.

 

[mikeavelli]

Yeah long in the tooth but an nice refresh. I think Elon realizes his fans will buy anything so it doesn’t matter. I mean look at the cyber truck lol.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

Why Do People Buy a Tesla? Not Because of Elon Musk, Survey Says

New survey counters a popular perception that Tesla owners are all rabid fans of the CEO. Most say they bought one of the EVs because they like the cars.

www.caranddriver.com

Most say they bought one of the EVs because they like the cars.

 

[IS-SV]

I drove the S Plaid ($130K+ 1000hp+) for about 45 miles. Memorable because of the power and the outstanding sound system. The yolk and the yolk controls (horn and signals) and shifter are steps backwards, needs to be better.

 

[mikeavelli]

I drove the S Plaid ($130K+ 1000hp+) for about 45 miles. Memorable because of the power and the outstanding sound system. The yolk and the yolk controls (horn and signals) and shifter are steps backwards, needs to be better.

They won’t be the only ones with it soon enough I bet….

 

[IS-SV]

They won’t be the only ones with it soon enough I bet….

I'm willing to bet the bread and butter volume models (3 and Y) will retain normal steering wheel and will not change anytime soon.

Yolk will likely only be expanded in usage when the following is fixed:
. Change to variable ration steering (versus fixed ratio which Elon knows is not working).
. Horn and turn signal controls improved. (rumor has it the horn fix is in progress)

 

[NXracer]

I wonder whats the hold up with variable ratio steering (I assume in house design).

 

[Ian Schmidt]

If they're going to keep the yoke, they should go all the way and have the Knight Rider LED scanner bar on the front.

 

[NXracer]

If they're going to keep the yoke, they should go all the way and have the Knight Rider LED scanner bar on the front.

Toyota has an inbound yoke with the BZ