Tracking Tesla's Quiet Changes To the Model S

cartechboy (2660665) writes "Tesla won't reveal its production figures every quarter, but it has now likely built about 50,000 all-electric Model S luxury sport sedans. Unlike other automakers, Tesla doesn't group its changes to a model year, rather it makes running changes to cars whenever updates are tested, validated, and ready to roll out. Which raises the question, are model year 2012 Model S sedans already outdated? The answer is it depends how you look at it. From a powertrain perspective, no. There are still two battery-size options and the shape is still the same. But under the surface of the car there are a surprising number of updates and new options. Not including software changes (of which there are dozens already pushed to the car), changes range from power folding mirrors and a new cold-weather package (which cannot be retrofitted) to a new ultra-high-fidelity sound package and three-zone, three-mode rear seat heaters. It's worth noting that none of these are mandatory changes — there are merely options that have been added to the roster of available equipment."

Comments

WTF?

[Anne Thwacks]

These are changes to the options not the car. Surely all manufacturers do this (in most of the world, if not the USA).

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Mod -1: pointless

Re:Software methodology for automobiles

[kick6]

Whether it's great for physical products or not, everyone is doing it. firmware updates for entertainment systems ecu firmware updates. Shoot, I have an '08 Ford F250 that's a "job 2" truck. There were 3 "jobs" under the '08 model year with running changes. Sometimes rather major like moving from a frame-mounted, user replaceable, transmission filter to an in-pan filter.

Re:Ripe for abuse

[joe545]

I'd wager that petrol prices are comparatively higher in europe vs usa then electricity ones.