[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Electrek

Tesla has unveiled for the first time the highly anticipated new Model S refresh with an “entirely new interior” with crazy steering wheel, new powertrain and more. It also comes with new prices and trims

We have been reporting on an upcoming Model S interior refresh for years now and it finally came.

Tesla hasn’t been giving a lot of love to its Model S and Model X programs design-wise and while they have been often getting incremental performance upgrades, the vehicles have become stale and it showed in the sales.

Now Tesla has finally unveiled the new Model S and the number one change is a brand new interior:

It comes with several expected changes like a horizontal center display and they retain an instrument cluster – though they made smaller as we reported back in 2018.

While the instrument cluster is smaller, you are going to have a good view of it thanks to the new a butterfly steering wheel.

Tesla calls it a “yoke” steering:

“The ultimate focus on driving: no stalks, no shifting. With a stalkless steering yoke, you can enjoy both the best car to drive, and the best car to be driven in.”

That’s similar to the steering wheel that Tesla unveiled on the new Roadster back in 2017.

But that’s not it, Tesla also added a third display at the rear of the Model S for passengers.

Tesla writes about the displays inside the new Model S:

“With 2200×1300 resolution, ultra-bright colors with exceptional responsiveness and left-right tilt, the new center display is an ideal touchscreen for entertainment and gaming anywhere. A second display in front of the driver shows critical driving information, and a third display provides entertainment and controls for rear passengers.”

Tesla also introduced a new glass roof to the Model S and a picture of it gives us a great look at the entire interior including the new backseat with a center console:

Here are all the features in the updated Tesla Model S interior

Audio and Media
Premium 22-speaker audio with active noise cancelling
Multi-device music and media over Bluetooth®
17” center display, 12.3” driver’s display, and 8” second row display
Gaming computer with 10 teraflops of processing power
Wireless controller compatibility
Comfort

Heated seats for every passenger, heated steering and heated windshield
Ventilated front seating
Tri-zone Airwave cabin conditioning
HEPA air filtration system
Custom driver profiles with automatic easy-entry and exit
Ambient lighting
Tinted glass roof
Ultraviolet and infrared protection on all glass
Convenience

Front center console with sliding cup holders and storage
Second row stowable center armrest with integrated storage and wireless charging
Automatic opening and closing rear liftgate
Auto dimming, power folding, heated side mirrors
28 ft³ of cargo space and secure front trunk
Wireless and USB-C fast charging for every passenger
Location-aware automatic garage door opener
Phone Key
Premium Connectivity, 1 year complimentary

Live traffic visualization
Satellite-View Maps
Video Streaming with access to Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Twitch, and more
Caraoke
Music Streaming
Internet Browser
*New features that become available after delivery may be subject to additional charges.
New Tesla Model S Performance, Trims and Pricing
While the interior update is the most significant at first glance, Tesla has also updated the Model S under the hood and changed its configurations.

Model S now starts at $80,000 before incentives and Tesla got rid of the ‘Performance’ version to replace it by ‘Plaid’ and ‘Plaid+’:

As you can see, the exterior design was also updated with a chrome delete and a different front-end.

The Model S Long Range now gets 412 miles of range, which goes down to 390 miles if you go with the higher performance ‘Plaid’ version.

As for the ‘Plaid+’, Tesla is expecting over 520 miles out of the vehicle, as the automaker previously announced.

Tesla confirmed that they “fully redesigned” the battery modules and pack of the Model S and Model X for the update.

We previously reported on Tesla’s secret ‘Palladium’ project, which involved new production lines for battery packs and bodies for the Model S and Model X.

Tesla unveils new Model S with new interior, crazy steering wheel, and more

[M3_WC]

That steering wheel is a big "no". Absolutely ruins an otherwise very nice interior upgrade.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

That steering wheel is a big "no". Absolutely ruins an otherwise very nice interior upgrade.

Agree, although I do wonder, is this something that has passed US regulations? I didn't think safety laws and rules would allow for a steering wheel without a top piece. Too video game like, other than that, a much needed update, and interesting that they kept the gauge cluster.

[arashir]

I really was looking forward to Tesla improving their Model S interior, but this is even more minimal than it was before and doesn't look like a design improvement to me. The yoke makes no sense. The tiny rear center screen also makes no sense. The all glass roof looks nice.

[heavyD^2]

That steering wheel would be hard to live with on long commutes as you are forced to keep your hands on the sides or bottom. I suppose most Tesla buyers don't care about driving much anyway and would rather let the car do it for them so it's probably not a big deal to the average Tesla buyer.

[Humdizzle]

little too minimal for me. and its not like a good minimal, its a cheap minimal.

oh well. i'm hoping the plaid model dusts the 992 turbo and mclaren 765 in the 1/4 mile drags. manufacturers need to focus more on giving us an analogue experience rather than just continuing to drive up hp numbers, tire and wheel sizes, weight, etc.

[am3r1ka]

520+ miles? Everyone else was just about to catch up to Tesla. Not anymore.

[stein_325i]

The steering wheel is definitely not going to make it to production with current regulations, I'm assuming its mainly just going to help draw media attention to Tesla if anything.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

little too minimal for me. and its not like a good minimal, its a cheap minimal.

oh well. i'm hoping the plaid model dusts the 992 turbo and mclaren 765 in the 1/4 mile drags. manufacturers need to focus more on giving us an analogue experience rather than just continuing to drive up hp numbers, tire and wheel sizes, weight, etc.

Tesla will never ever deliver an analogue experience. That's the opposite of their goal of removing the responsibility of actually driving from the driver. With that said though they'll probably beat the turbo and the 765 in the 1/4--but it's an unfair comparison between two all-round performance cars and a boat that accelerates very quickly

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

That steering wheel is a big "no". Absolutely ruins an otherwise very nice interior upgrade.

how do you make a u-turn with that thing?

[AlexFL]

Well, at least they kept the “steering wheel”. Could have put a joystick instead, or a VR glove or something like that...

[Mach550]

So they rotated the portrait screen to landscape and put in a steering wheel from demolition man? If only they would work on QC instead.

[dreamingat30fps]

Overall looks wise I like it. However the functionality of that wheel.... um not so much. It's a car not a fucking cessna.

That being said I do like the overall look. Yes it's minimalist and futuristic but that's their style. There's every other car to choose from if you don't like the minimalist look.

[Matt 335is]

The overall design is uninspiring and plain. The same can be said for the exterior.

The more tactile knobs, switches, and buttons the better. So this interior is my worst nightmare.

[kyriian]

Originally Posted by Matt 335is

The more tactile knobs, switches, and buttons the better. So this interior is my worst nightmare.

Sadly, the future is screens and haptic feedback instead of knobs and switches.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Agree, although I do wonder, is this something that has passed US regulations? I didn't think safety laws and rules would allow for a steering wheel without a top piece. Too video game like, other than that, a much needed update, and interesting that they kept the gauge cluster.

I am not fond of the steering wheel but:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/393.209

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/570.60

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Matt 335is

The overall design is uninspiring and plain. The same can be said for the exterior.

The more tactile knobs, switches, and buttons the better. So this interior is my worst nightmare.

This. Absolutely despise touch screens and touch interfaces. I even bought an induction stove with knobs, it is SO MUCH BETTER than using ny brother in law's touch controls.

[AlexFL]

I wonder if Tesla will get into trouble because this acceleration might prove downright dangerous for people with preexisting cardiovascular conditions.

[arashir]

Originally Posted by kyriian

Sadly, the future is screens and haptic feedback instead of knobs and switches.

It's not a forgone conclusion yet although manufactuers want it to be because it's bigger margins for them.

Whether they get away with it or not is up to us to decide with our money if we care enough about quality interface experiences.

Physical instruments are the ultimate haptic feedback.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I wonder if Tesla will get into trouble because this acceleration might prove downright dangerous for people with preexisting cardiovascular conditions.

As if the new steering wheel wasn't bad enough it will also predetermine what gear (reverse or drive) depending on its position and outside surroundings. I don't trust that one bit, apparently overriding controls will still be in the touch screen.

https://electrek.co/2021/01/27/tesla...pilot-sensors/

[flybigjet]

Making a U- or 180-degree turn is going to be..... interesting.

On the plus side, as soon as Tesla comes out with the "Attachable wings and jetpack" option, you'll be all set.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

As if the new steering wheel wasn't bad enough it will also predetermine what gear (reverse or drive) depending on its position and outside surroundings. I don't trust that one bit, apparently overriding controls will still be in the touch screen.

https://electrek.co/2021/01/27/tesla...pilot-sensors/

Elon says driving even with an automatic gear shifter is very annoying and Elon fanboys could not agree more (of course).