With the announcement of Apple’s focus on AI in iOS 18 at WWDC Monday, there has been a flurry of interesting news items.
From Elon Musk mentioning that Apple devices may be banned at his companies due to the integration of AI, to Apple allowing developers to add functions to the Control Center, and Musk confirming once again that Tesla has no intentions to produce a phone, it was a busy day.
Also at WWDC, Apple showed off an updated Control Center – the swipe-down control menu on iOS. As of iOS 18, third-party developers will now be able to create buttons to add to Control Center.
This is a pretty neat feature and could make it even easier to manage your Tesla from Apple devices. You could soon be able to control the climate or begin charging your Tesla without even opening the app.
You can already do some of these things using Siri Shortcuts, but this could be the granular integration needed to control specific items with even more detail, rather than just simple routines.
Tesla typically launches new features on its iOS app first, and Android devices a few days or weeks later. An excellent example of this is Ultra Wideband support, which came to Apple devices first.
Banning Apple Devices
At WWDC, Apple showed off new AI integration in its OS, which allows users to leverage OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Elon Musk mentioned that this is a massive security concern on a post on X, and he said he may ban the presence of Apple’s devices at his companies.
Tesla App Lead Alex Guichet asked on X if this was any different than Gemini integration on Android – which Google has already announced and begun to roll out to customers in select markets. If you’re in Canada or the United States, you can replace your current Google Assistant with Gemini, which provides a similar level of system integration to Apple.
Since Musk’s initial reaction to Apple’s integration of AI and partnership with OpenAI, Musk’s concerns appear to have eased. Numerous users clarified that Apple is building its own AI, and Apple will not hand over information to OpenAI unless users explicitly confirm they want to do so.
Musk Denies Tesla Phone
Elon Musk has confirmed that even with his potential ban on Apple devices, he is not interested in building a Tesla phone. A Tesla phone has previously been mentioned, and Elon Musk had previously shown interest in the idea, but has also shot it down numerous times over the years.
With this final confirmation, it’s pretty clear that we won’t be expecting a Tesla phone anytime in the future. SpaceX has been working on integrating Starlink cell-to-satellite messaging, calling, and data to existing phones, so we could see further integration in a different way one day.
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
Just like how Carscoops spotted the refreshed Model S, they also spotted the refreshed Model Y, and this time, it was likely the Performance variant.
When Tesla launched the Launch Edition of the refreshed Model Y, they opened the floor to orders for the Rear-Wheel Drive (later introduced to the U.S.) and All-Wheel Drive Long Range variants, but not for the Performance model. This was the same strategy that was used with the refreshed Model 3, whose performance version launched months after the new Model 3.
We’ve already seen some covered-up refreshed Model Ys at Giga Texas, so it seems almost certain that Tesla is in their final evaluation phases prior to this variant’s launch.
With that said, let’s dive into what we saw at the ‘Ring.
Minor Exterior Updates
The Nürburgring prototype was fully wrapped in a white and black camouflage, but thanks to the crisp photos, we got some detailed looks at the exterior of the vehicle. A new and more distinct spoiler is on the rear hatch, similar to the previous generation’s Performance model. That spoiler is likely carbon fiber and will also likely make its way to the Tesla store in the future as a cosmetic add-on for non-Performance buyers.
Carscoops also noticed that the vehicle was sitting noticeably closer to the ground than the refreshed Model Y Long Range. We’re expecting Tesla to include an adaptive suspension system, similar to the one that arrived with the Model 3 Performance. These adaptive suspensions can adjust to driver and road input in real-time with adaptive damping.
Interestingly, the front fascia looks relatively unchanged, lacking the dedicated brake cooling ducts that the Model 3 Performance has.
Powertrain
As usual with Tesla, we haven’t heard anything in terms of official specs on the powertrain for this Performance variant, but we can make some good guesses. The Model 3 Performance and Model Y Performance usually sport the same amount of horsepower, so we’re guessing that the refreshed Model Y Performance will also have 510 HP. That gives it about a 3.2-second 0-60 mph (0-100km/h), which is a generous upgrade from the previous generation’s 3.5-second speed at 470 hp.
Wheels & Brakes
On the ‘Ring, the refreshed Model Y Performance is sporting new alloy wheels that are reminiscent yet slightly distinct from the Model S Arachnid wheels. These new Performance wheels also look like they’re a staggered setup, similar to the rest of Tesla’s performance lineup, which means wider rear wheels for better traction and handling. Alongside the red brake calipers, we expect that there are larger, performance-optimized brakes to handle track days.
Pretty Arachnid-looking wheels. We like them!
Carscoops
Performance Launch Date?
Given the fact that this is only the second time we’ve seen the refreshed Model Y Performance, we expect the launch to be a couple of months out. Tesla is still likely working on optimizing the adaptive suspension characteristics and fine-tuning Track Mode 3.0 for the vehicle, and hopefully also designing some unique Performance seats to go with it all.
We’d expect Tesla to launch this variant sometime in late Q3 or early Q4 2025, which is still a few months away. Perhaps the new Model S and Model X will also launch alongside it? That may just make a great Tesla event.
Tesla has begun selling a new Charcoal Suede dash insert for owners of the refreshed (2024+) Model 3 and refreshed (2026+) Model Y in the Tesla store.
Currently, both refreshed Model 3 and Model Y are shipping with a textile dash finish. This new accessory upgrades that surface to a vegan Alcantara suede, which is soft-to-the-touch and considerably more premium than the standard option.
For owners of the Launch Edition Model Y, this suede trim was included as part of the Launch Edition. Now, other refreshed Model Y owners can take advantage of the more premium Alcantara suede to achieve the same look and feel in their RWD or AWD vehicles.
Sweet, Smooth, Suede.
Not a Tesla App
Pricing and Installation
For those looking to make the upgrade, the Charcoal Suede dash insert is priced at $250 USD / $345 CAD with installation included. Currently, availability is limited to the United States and Canada, but it will likely become available in Europe and Asia-Pacific over the coming weeks.
If you do purchase it, the dash insert will be sent to your service center, and you’ll be prompted to make a service appointment at that location. This is the same procedure as if you were getting a tow hitch installed on your Tesla by purchasing it through the Tesla app.
The pricing includes installation by the selected service center. Tesla has indicated that the installation process should take approximately 90 minutes for the Model Y and 120 minutes for the Model 3. It would have been nice to see self-installation included, which would help reduce the cost of the part.
Future Options
This type of dash trim upgrade is something we expected when the new Model 3 was launched in 2023. The redesigned dash makes it easier to swap out trim pieces, so it’s great to see Tesla finally offering different dash trims. We speculated that Tesla might eventually introduce different dash trims—either to match the vehicle’s exterior or to provide a more premium feel—and that’s exactly what this appears to be.
It’s a welcome addition that helps owners personalize their Teslas, especially given the limited customization options available at purchase. We hope Tesla continues expanding these choices.
![Tesla Model S Refresh Spotted With Front Bumper Camera at Nürburgring [PHOTOS]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/model-s/refresh/model_s_refresh_front.webp/e89d61b1039022383b01cbd0f2e4da97/model_s_refresh_front.jpg)
![Tesla Demonstrates FSD in Australia, Says No Regulatory Barriers [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2025/fsd_australia.png/7165f36190892ae72bb9b5ba14a51d47/fsd_australia.jpg)
_300w.png)
![Tesla’s Impressive Sound Systems Are Missing One Thing: True Spatial Audio [Opinion]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/cybertruck/ct_speaker_setup.jpeg/187a673c779473531b5247063d37ff9a/ct_speaker_setup.jpg)
![Tesla Engineers Reveal How Optimus Learns—And Show Off Its Dance Moves [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/optimus/optimus-dancing.webp/ac248a1cc95df69c081ac10d8aa8b274/optimus-dancing.jpg)
