Tesla makes changes
to their lineup on a chaotic basis, but it appears the Model S is about to get
a significant refresh. Citing several former and current employees, CNBC is
reporting Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California is being prepared to produce
the all-new Model Y and an updated Model S.
The latter car is
expected to go into production in September and it will reportedly feature a
host of updates including a new interior which follows in the footsteps of the
Model 3. As a result, we can expect a minimalist cabin which could eschew the
current car’s digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system
with a portrait orientation. Both will presumably be replaced by an all-new
‘floating’ display similar to the one used on the Model 3.
Besides the new
infotainment system, the car could adopt seats sourced from higher-end versions
of the Model 3. There could also be a new dashboard and a revised center
console – among other things. Performance changes are more mysterious, but the
report suggested the updated Model S could share its electric motors with the
higher-end versions of the Model 3. The report also says there will be an
updated battery that increases the range to 644 km. That’s an
impressive distance for an EV, but it’s only 48 km further than the
current Model S Long Range.
It remains unclear
if the update will also include exterior styling changes, but it appears the
car will be built on the same production line as the Model X. This will
reportedly happen to accommodate Model Y production which could begin as early
as next year. If that’s the case, the entry-level crossover could arrive well
ahead of its planned launch in the fall of 2020.
