Tesla Model S and X to Gain Ambient Lighting and Front Bumper Camera

Tesla has found itself in a bit of a pickle. Its flagship vehicles, the Model S and Model X now have a similar feature set as the recently released new Model 3. While the new Model 3 does have an improved suspension, the Model S, Model X, and soon the Cybertruck are still the only Tesla vehicles with an air suspension. However, the new Model 3 now includes many features that were previously exclusive to the Model S/X, such as ventilated seats, a quieter cabin, and a rear screen, reducing the feature set gap between Tesla’s economy and luxury lines.

Ambient Lighting for Model S & X

However, it looks like the Model S and X will be catching up in some regards. Greentheonly was able to find references to the Model S/X receiving the same RGB ambient lighting treatment as the new Model 3. The references were discovered in one of Tesla’s recent firmware updates. As Green points out, Tesla is much more careful nowadays to include any code that may reveal upcoming features. Given the discovery, he believes that Tesla is already implementing or will soon start implementing the feature on its assembly lines.

Upcoming Minor Refresh

One of our sources has confirmed that the S/X will not only receive Tesla’s latest interior lighting feature in an upcoming refresh, but that it will also be outfitted with a front bumper camera. It’s unknown whether Tesla will introduce both these features simultaneously or in a phased manner. Considering Tesla’s known strategy of incorporating upgrades as they deplete available parts, it wouldn’t be surprising if they took the latter route.

Model Y Envy

After Tesla China’s surprising reveal of an upgraded Model Y with some modifications that mirrored the recent Model 3 refresh, the spotlight is now turning to what’s in store for the Model S and Model X. The Model Y’s changes, touted as its “evolutionary debut” by Tesla China on its official Weibo account came out of nowhere.

Ambient Lighting is a Must

Ambient lighting has always been a staple in luxury car interiors, enhancing the ambiance and offering a more sophisticated driving experience. For years, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Jaguar, Porsche, Volvo, and others have used ambient lighting, also known as mood lighting. That didn’t seem to matter all that much to the Model S and Model X, which have worked their way up the luxury brand market.

But now that ambient lighting is in the Model Y, Model 3, and the upcoming Cybertruck, the omission of the features from the luxury models is noticeable.

With the Model Y’s recent update featuring ambient lighting on its dash and front doors, there is speculation about the extent to which this feature will be introduced in the S and X. Will Tesla stick to the approach seen in the Model Y, or will they amplify the luxury feel with an almost 360-degree wraparound, similar to the new Model 3?

Front Camera

In addition to ambient lighting, the Model S and Model X will get a front bumper camera. We expected to see it in the Model 3 refresh. Still, it mysteriously didn’t make the long list of changes when the car was revealed, even though the camera was spotted in various Tesla photos. However, the Cybertruck does have a front bumper camera.

It’s not known if the front bumper will be used to improve Autopilot and Full Self Driving or if it could be more about enhancing parking assist capabilities. The front camera is not available in the existing fleet, which would put those vehicles at a disadvantage if FSD utilizes the camera in future updates.

With the last quarter of the year unfolding, Tesla enthusiasts and potential buyers have much to look forward to. A new Model 3, slightly refreshed Model Y, the Cybertruck, and maybe even an enhanced Model S and X are yet to arrive before Santa.

A mysterious anonymous post has surfaced, creating speculation among Tesla enthusiasts. This post believed to originate from one of the first 500 Cybertruck reservation holders, reveals a supposed call from Tesla. They were presented with two variants: dual- or tri-motor, and given an Autopilot tier.

They were quoted $98,990, before the $7,000 locked-in price for Full Self-Driving (FSD). With a cautionary tone, the post alerts other reservation holders to a one-week window for finalizing their purchase.

Historical Pricing Context

To truly grasp the pricing dynamics, it’s worth revisiting the past. When Tesla first unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, it announced prices of $39,990 for RWD, $49,990 for Dual Motor, and $69,990 for Tri-Motor.

Our friends over at Teslarati pulled out the calculators for this one. In 2019, the typical full-size pickup was priced at $51,140. Fast-forward to September 2023, this amount had climbed to a notable $66,841. If one were to make an educated guess, applying the same rate of increase, the speculated prices could be:

• Dual Motor — Elevating from $49,990 to an estimated $65,336.93.
• Tri Motor — Jumping from $69,990 to a hypothesized $91,476.93.

However, it’s critical to remember that these figures are speculative, although grounded in data. For comparison, Tesla’s Model X Tri-Motor comes in at $94,990 before FSD

Understanding Tesla’s Strategy

The mysterious nature of Tesla’s pricing for the Cybertruck doesn’t just arise from the current speculation. There are many theories: market volatility, Tesla’s strategic indecision, or perhaps a shrewd move to gain the upper hand with early deliveries. Another post indicates that a Tesla engineer believes the company is still figuring out the price tag.

To factor in any pricing, a company has to look at demand. There is certainly demand for the Cybertruck, with well over 1 million reservations. Any product with that kind of reservation list can afford to play with the pricing. If it is that high, some may not buy it and refund their reservation. But you can bet others will take delivery and immediately list the Cybertruck for a significant markup. To be the first one with the newest technology usually comes with a price. How much is the market willing to pay? We will find out on November 30th during Tesla’s launch event.

The third-quarter earnings call for Tesla offered intriguing insights into the direction and focus of the company’s upcoming next-gen vehicle, dubbed the Model 2 or the $25,000 car.

While drawing on a comparison to Cybertruck’s production challenges, Elon Musk declared this vehicle will be more conventional for production with the overarching goal of achieving an unmatched level of manufacturing efficiency.

Functional Beauty: The Aesthetic Vision

The next-gen car is predicted to be the most produced car in Tesla’s lineup, with the potential scale and reach of the Model 2, with implications suggesting it could match the combined volume of other Tesla models. The “high-volume, low-cost” will be simpler in design and technological features to achieve a production speed unprecedented in the auto industry. The mention of achieving “units per minute level that is unheard of” paints a picture of Tesla’s commitment to scale and affordability.

Breaking away from the enchantment often associated with Tesla vehicles, Musk set the stage for a different kind of vehicle in the Model 2. Described as “utilitarian,” this new vehicle won’t be about enchanting consumers but serving a functional purpose. Despite this, Musk reassured that the car will still bear Tesla’s signature beauty.

The Quest for Affordability

A dominant theme throughout the call was the relentless push towards reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies. Vaibhav Taneja, Tesla’s Chief Accounting Officer, pointed out the myriad challenges and variables in managing product margins, especially given the ongoing factory upgrades.

Nevertheless, company representatives remain unwavering in their dedication to cost reductions for 2024, showcasing Tesla’s commitment to affordability. As Taneja describes, this “cost attack” strategy involves meticulous examination and improvement of every line item, highlighting Tesla’s dedication to affordability at every turn.

Musk equated their cost-reduction strategy to a “Game of Thrones” where even saving pennies mattered. Musk highlighted the importance of such savings, highlighting how even small elements, like unnecessary internal stickers or QR codes, are being scrutinized for their contribution to the vehicle’s cost.

Driving down the costs for the Model 2 isn’t just about large-scale production adjustments; it’s about scrutinizing every tiny detail. Musk illustrated the cost anatomy of a vehicle, emphasizing the challenge of saving even $0.40 on each of the approximately 10,000 parts in a car.

What This Means for Model 2

All these cost-saving strategies are directly tied to Tesla’s aspiration to introduce the Model 2 at an unprecedented price point. By focusing on “pennies” and being “ruthless” in their cost-cutting measures, Tesla is gearing up to deliver a vehicle that doesn’t just promise efficiency and sustainability but also unparalleled affordability.

The road to the Model 2 is evidently layered with challenges. Still, if there’s one takeaway from the earnings call, it’s that Tesla is more committed than ever to making the dream of an affordable electric vehicle a reality for the masses.