New Model S cars feature a glass roof that is lighter and lets in five times more light than previous versions
Tesla
Tesla has quietly refreshed its Model S vehicles, introducing a new "high-visibility glass roof," improved brake pads, and many other features. In an email to owners, the company lists several new tweaks to the latest Model S.
The new, Ultra Red paint grabbed all the attention. Tesla unveiled its high-chroma color and multi-layered paint process, delivering an exceptionally vibrant finish. But several other features in that Ultra Red launch video (below) are worth just as much attention.
Let the Sun Shine in - Not the UV
The new and improved panoramic roof for the Model S lets in more light and provides a clearer view of the sky, day or night, according to the message from Tesla. The new glass roof weighs less than the previous version and lets in five times more light, while still providing the same level of heat and UV protection. According to Tesla, the new roof also improves handling by lowering the center of gravity.
In addition, Tesla has integrated its new hardware 4 computer for Autopilot and self-driving capabilities, and the Model S now offers a free option of a round steering wheel.
New Brakes Put to the Test
Tesla's vehicle updates are always highly anticipated; the latest refresh is no exception. The improved brake pads with higher thermal capacity are designed to improve the Model S Plaid's braking performance.
Tesla announced the Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit in late 2021, but it is still not available for purchase. Tesla says they will be available in "early 2023." The kit costs $20,000 and is said to make the Model S Plaid a true monster on the track.
Although the ceramic brake kit isn't available to the public yet, test driver Sebastian Vittel raced a Model S Plaid taking on the Circuit de Bresse race track in France with the new performance brakes (video below). Despite the track being best suited for small, nimble cars, the Model S Plaid with the Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit was able to set a track record for street-legal cars on non-semi-slick tires with a lap time of 1:33.610. This record was set with the vehicle's original tires, indicating that the brakes were a significant factor in the vehicle's impressive performance.
Tesla's latest refresh of the Model S includes new features like a high-visibility glass roof, improved brake pads, and the integration of hardware 4 for Autopilot and full self-driving capabilities. The Carbon Ceramic Brake Kit's impressive performance on the track demonstrates Tesla's dedication to enhancing the vehicle's driving experience. Tesla remains at the forefront of the electric vehicle industry with their continuous improvement and innovation.
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Cox Automotive, the world's largest automotive services and technology provider, has released a forecast predicting that Tesla will lead the luxury market in Q1 2023 with sales of 180,000 units, a gain of nearly 40% from Q1 2022. As a result, Tesla is expected to post solid sales gains and surpass a market share of 5% for the first time. This marks a significant achievement for the electric car maker as it continues to gain market share in the luxury car market.
Improved Inventory and Lowered Prices to Spark Demand
By far, Tesla will be the top luxury-vehicle seller in the U.S. in Q1, with sales more than double that of BMW or Mercedes. This impressive performance is likely due to Tesla's innovative technology, sleek designs, and rising brand recognition.
Tesla's success in Q1 2023 is expected to be primarily driven by improved inventory levels and lowered prices. According to Cox Automotive, new-vehicle inventory levels have significantly improved from Q1 2022, which has helped stimulate sales despite elevated prices and high auto loan rates. Tesla also lowered its prices in the first quarter to spark demand.
Tesla's Record Quarter
Tesla's Q1 2023 sales are expected to reach 180,000, a record quarter for the company in the U.S. In addition, the company's growth trajectory continues to outpace its competitors, with Tesla's market share forecasted to surpass 5% for the first time. This puts Tesla on track to achieve its goal of selling 1 million electric vehicles per year, an ambitious target the company has set for itself.
Strong Outlook for Tesla
Cox Automotive's forecast is good news for Tesla investors and enthusiasts. The electric car maker has been expanding its production capacity to meet the rising vehicle demand. Tesla's Model Y, launched in 2020, has been a hit with customers, with the company ramping up production to meet the high demand. Tesla also plans to launch the Cybertruck, its first all-electric pickup truck, in 2022.
As more consumers look to switch to electric vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint, Tesla's growth prospects are expected to remain strong. The company's continued innovation in the electric car space and aggressive expansion plans could help it solidify its position as a leader in the automotive industry.
Other Key Take Aways from Cox
The release suggests a positive surprise for U.S. auto sales in Q1 2023. Still, supply constraints and affordability issues are expected to put a ceiling on what's possible for the rest of the year. Despite these challenges, Tesla's continued growth trajectory and strong performance in the luxury market are promising signs for the electric car maker.
General Motors is expected to finish Q1 as the top seller of new vehicles in the U.S., with sales volume forecasted to increase by over 15% year over year to reach 587,000 units. However, sales will drop from Q4 2022 when GM's volume hits 618,692.
The Bottleneck Has Passed, but Prices Are Too High
New-vehicle inventory levels have significantly improved from Q1 2022, up roughly 70% from the volume recorded in the early months of 2022. This has helped stimulate sales despite elevated prices and high auto loan rates.
Fleet sales for the entire year of 2023 are forecasted at 2.2 million, up 23% from 2022, when 1.8 million units were sold to commercial buyers.
Cox Automotive has adjusted its full-year new-vehicle sales forecast to 14.2 million, an increase of nearly 3% from 2022.
Elevated prices and average auto loan rates above 8% are expected to hold back new-vehicle sales for the rest of the year. The typical new-vehicle loan payment was more than $750 a month in Q1, which is out of reach for many households.
Tesla's sales forecasted to surpass 5% market share in Q1 2023 is a significant milestone for the electric car maker. Tesla's success in the luxury market is due to its innovative technology, sleek designs, and raising brand recognition. In addition, the company's improved inventory levels and lowered prices have helped stimulate sales despite elevated prices and high auto loan rates. With a record quarter forecasted for Q1 2023, Tesla's outlook remains strong, and the company continues to lead the charge in the electric car market.
Tesla is updating its app to show the vehicle's planned path to its destination
Not a Tesla App
Tesla is consistently working to improve its mobile app experience for users, and now they're adding another new feature. Building on the features unveiled last year, Tesla is now adding the ability to view the route the vehicle is taking toward its destination. Thanks to Max for the tip!
Navigation Path
When using GPS navigation, the app directly displays the driver's destination, distance, and estimated arrival time (ETA) on the main screen. By tapping into the navigation section, users can access a map that shows the vehicle's location, nearby Superchargers, and destination details. The app also displays the vehicle's expected state of charge upon arrival at the destination, providing greater transparency for owners regarding battery consumption. The one missing piece was the suggested route the vehicle is taking to reach its destination. That is now being added to the app and is available for select users.
In the last Tesla app update, v4.19, the company introduced a new API called "nav route." This API looked to go unused at first, but this new feature appears to leverage this API to display the path the vehicle will take, much like the in-car navigation system.
Building on Latest Update
The October 2022 update brought a host of additional features to the Tesla mobile app, enhancing convenience for its users. For instance, the app now shows more information about the media playing in the vehicle, such as song title, artist, and destination details.
Energy Enhancement
The automaker rolled out major revisions to its Energy app in its cars, which displays the battery's state of charge upon departure and arrival, as well as the main causes of battery drain. Tesla started bringing this functionality to the app for older Model S and Model X vehicles, and will hopefully soon expand it to other vehicles.
The app will provide a detailed breakdown of energy usage for various features, such as air conditioning, driving, battery conditioning, elevation, and other components like charging mobile devices, onboard computers, lights, and the audio system.
As Tesla continues to hire additional app developers, users can anticipate further updates and improvements to the mobile app, offering more helpful features and enhancing the overall user experience.
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