In the latest episode of the Ride the Lightning podcast, Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, addressed a question that’s been on everyone’s mind—what’s going on with the Model S and Model X?
It turns out Tesla’s engineering and design teams have been thinking about the same thing. They’ve heard the calls for a refresh loud and clear, and changes are on the way to Tesla’s flagship vehicles.
Most importantly, Lars put the rumors to rest—Tesla has no plans to discontinue the Model S and Model X. Not only are they here to stay, but a refresh is also in the works.
Just give it a minute, we’ll get there - Lars Moravy
Refreshed Flagships
According to Lars, the Model S and Model X will finally be getting some attention—but not until later this year. For now, Tesla’s top priority is launching its more affordable next-generation vehicle ahead of Q2 2025.
Still, a refresh is on the way, and many of the upgrades seen in the Model 3 and Model Y refreshes are expected to make their way to Tesla’s flagship vehicles. There’s a lot to break down from that simple statement, so let’s dive into what’s likely coming—and what we’re hopeful to see.
Interior Updates
Both flagship vehicles are expected to receive a Cybertruck-inspired update—though not in the form of sharp angles and stainless steel. Instead, Tesla, we may see many Cybertruck features move over to the Model S and Model X. We may see things like the removal of the driver’s gauge cluster display in favor of a larger center screen, similar to the Cybertruck’s design. Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y refreshes, this screen won’t tilt, simplifying production and increasing part-sharing across the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck.
These changes streamline Tesla’s supply chain while also making the vehicles easier to repair and service. However, it’s not all about cutting features. Last year, rumors suggested the Model S and Model X would receive a mid-cycle interior refresh, including ambient lighting—now a standard feature across Tesla’s lineup. This subtle yet elegant lighting improves the cabin’s aesthetics without being overly bright or distracting.
Another major update will likely be the transition to a 48V low-voltage electrical system, a move Tesla has already made with the Cybertruck. Tesla recently announced that a lot of the Cybertruck’s tech, such as this 48V LV system, its 800-volt HV architecture, bi-directional charging, and more are coming to future Tesla vehicles.
This upgrade could also bring support for steer-by-wire to the Model S/X, which would greatly improve the usability of the yoke steering wheel.
Exterior Updates
When it comes to exterior changes, we’re a little less sure of what to expect. A complete body makeover is very unlikely, but we could see updates to the front and rear fascias like we’re seeing with the new Model Y. We hope Tesla preserves the iconic design of the Model S. Its sleek, aggressive profile has a broad appeal—even among muscle car enthusiasts who appreciate its sharp lines and commanding presence.
For the Model X, Tesla might follow a similar strategy to the Model Y refresh, further differentiating it from the Model S. We could also see the introduction of a light or rear light bar like we’ve seen recently with the Cybertruck, new Model Y, and the Cybercab. Tesla has really perfected its grill-less look with recent models and we may see that carry over to the revamped Model S and Model X as well.
FSD Hardware Changes
The timing of the refreshed Model S and Model X could overlap with the launch of Tesla’s next-gen FSD hardware, AI5. While this would be unexpected—given that Tesla has yet to fully utilize AI4—it could align with Musk’s June 2024 statement that AI5 would be available in about 18 months. Afterall, the Cybercab will include AI5 when it hits production this summer.
Additionally, like the recently refreshed Model Y, the Model S and Model X have long been rumored to receive a front bumper camera, and this update will likely bring it. In turn, Tesla may remove the HD radar that has been shipping—albeit disabled—with every Model S and Model X. While the radar appeared to be included for data collection purposes, Tesla never fully committed to integrating it into its autonomy stack.
Drivetrain and Battery
The Model S and Model X still use a relatively outdated air suspension system. If you own one, you’re probably familiar with the issue: the camber (angle of the wheels) changes depending on the vehicle’s height, which increases wear on the inner or outer edges of the tires. Combined with the vehicles’ immense acceleration, this can lead to increased tire wear.
With the Cybertruck’s updated air suspension, this is considerably less of an issue due to how the new suspension functions. It would make sense for Tesla to integrate similar improvements, along with other updates to improve handling, much like the changes made to the refreshed Model 3 Performance. Track Mode V3 would also be a welcome addition to both Plaid models.
Additionally, adopting the Cybertruck’s 800V high-voltage architecture could enable the new Model S and Model X to charge faster, potentially reaching the 500kW speeds the Cybertruck will soon support at V4 Superchargers.
New Production Lines
There’s also another interesting tidbit circulating from stock analyst M44_1RJ. It’s rumored that the Model S and Model X production lines, known internally as the GA1 lines at Fremont, are undergoing upgrades. These improvements are likely part of Tesla’s preparations for the upcoming refreshed versions of these vehicles.
We’re eager to see what Tesla has in store for the refreshed Model S and Model X. While we could see completely new features added to these flagship vehicles, we’re more likely to see some of the Cybertruck improvements carry over.
There’s even hope that the Plaid+ variant will make a return to the Model S, providing a sleek and worthy competitor to the Lucid Air Sapphire and other electric hypercars making waves on tracks worldwide.
It seems Tesla has something big in the works, but it’s probably at least six months away. We can expect more tangible updates to surface around late summer, likely after the launch of the Cybercab and Tesla’s more affordable model.
Elon Musk has always been a bit of a celebrity and not always one that has been well received. With his many different companies - including Tesla, SpaceX, Boring, Neuralink, X, and xAI, he’s spread throughout many high-tech fields and has a massive say in the way technology impacts the lives of many.
Most recently, Elon has taken to the fore of the US government under the Trump Administration and is running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Here, he’s been tasked with reducing government spending.
These moves, in addition to what looked like an inappropriate hand gesture at a Republican rally last year, have led to him being labeled a Nazi - and those who own his cars or support his companies - as Nazi sympathizers. This is particularly true for Cybertruck owners.
We’re not calling for Elon to step down or stop - that’s beyond the scope of this opinion piece. Instead, we’re hoping that we make a point - harming real people and their property is a step too far, especially when they haven’t done anything other than spend their money or choose their place of employment.
Boycotts and Protests
Few CEOs are as active in politics as Elon is - and that’s made him and his companies the targets of protestors who don't agree with the changes and policies. This has led to boycotts of Tesla, protests outside factories, Supercharger sites, and showrooms.
Interestingly, some protestors at several locations throughout the United States have admitted they are being paid to protest. This isn’t surprising or new - political activist organizations sometimes bring in paid protestors to pad crowd numbers or guide the protestors toward their goals. While we can’t say whether this is true or not at this time, Elon appears to believe so, as per a post on X on the 8th of March.
Some of the protests have descended into violence, which has likely been escalated by people in a crowd mentality. An example of this is the incident at Tesla’s NYC Meatpacking showroom - where the crowd attempted to break down the doors and enter the showroom, putting the lives of innocent employees and customers at risk.
While protesting is a right, harming others and harming private property is not, regardless of personal beliefs or political opinions. This is what we’d like to emphasize here - harming or threatening Tesla’s employees and their customers isn’t making for a better world - it is hurting real people - members of your community. Some of them may have stood in solidarity with you just mere months ago at the voting booths, but now the simple ownership of a Tesla vehicle is considered extreme.
Vandalism and Who It Impacts
The protests are really just the tip of the iceberg. There have been ongoing and escalating incidents of vandalism - both at Tesla’s showrooms and Superchargers, as well as of private vehicles.
Vandalism is a crime - full stop. Attacking others and their private property with the intent to harm them isn’t an effective means to portray a message - it is political violence. Harming others is never the correct option - and is the worst way to push your message.
Vandalism of a private vehicle doesn't hurt Tesla. That vehicle will be repaired with parts sold by Tesla, paid for by the owner’s insurance. Those insurance costs will be passed down to customers everywhere - whether they’re Tesla-specific or not. Tesla will have made money replacing parts or replacing a vehicle because nearly 70% of Tesla’s customers continue to buy Tesla.
The vandalism isn’t focused on just private vehicles either - much of it has hit Tesla’s showrooms - which have been shot at in the US - and one was even burned down overnight in France. These vandals have also been targeting Tesla’s lots - and damaging cars on their way to customers. Once again, Tesla is insured against all of this - and will only be making replacement vehicles and fixing the damage - just like they did with the arson incident at a Supercharger site - where they replaced the Supercharger in under 48 hours.
Superchargers are public charging infrastructure. Damaging them doesn’t just affect Tesla owners - it impacts all EV drivers. Many Supercharger sites are open to other electric vehicles and serve as a vital charging option, especially in remote areas where charging options may be limited.
Additionally, some Supercharger stations are sometimes partially or fully funded by government grants aimed at expanding EV infrastructure. Acts of vandalism only harm local communities by undermining efforts to build essential public resources.
Sales and Stock
Tesla’s stock and sales have also been hit hard by the recent boycotts and response to Elon’s political activity.
Several analysts are predicting that Tesla’s deliveries in Q1 2025 are expected to be the lowest in the last three years - which will likely be a big hit. On the flipside, Elon is still optimistic about the stock - and has mentioned that the long-term benefits of holding Tesla far outweigh the short-term tensions.
However, Tesla’s stock also swings heavily with the market and is one of the most actively traded stocks by retail investors - both regular stocks and options included. The US markets have been on a relatively downward trend, with the Trump administration telling people to tighten their belts and prepare for a potential recession in the coming months.
These indicators aren’t very clear - and the ramp of the refreshed Model Y will have an impact on sales as Tesla won’t be able to deliver as many vehicles as they normally do.
Musk Owns Only 12% of Tesla
At the end of the day, these protests and all this vandalism only serve one purpose. It hurts hardworking citizens of the countries these events are happening in - whether the United States, Canada, Germany, France, or others.
They don’t impact Elon as much because he owns a small percentage of Tesla. Elon owns 12.8% of Tesla as of February 28, 2025. There are several other large stakeholders who own nearly as much as he does - and hundreds of thousands of retail shareholders. His fortune is so large that even if he lost his entire stake in Tesla today, he’d still be worth over $200 billion.
This amount of money is almost unimaginable. If you were to be given $400,000 every single day since 0 BC - until today - you still wouldn’t be worth as much as Elon Musk. That amount of money is absolutely insane and ridiculous—when you consider how little it affects him and how much real harm it causes to everyday people, it’s clear it’s not the correct approach.
Tesla employs about 130,000 people worldwide. That’s 129,999 people who aren’t Elon Musk that are directly harmed by these actions, all for choosing to work at one of the most innovative tech companies - whose mission is to electrify the world.
Putting all that together - the protests, boycotts, and vandalism aren’t hurting Elon as much as they’re hurting everyone else. They’re hurting regular people. And these people who have been threatened or hurt are never going to look in the same direction as these misguided activists.
Instead, these would-be vandals would be better off redirecting their efforts to reach out to the political leaders in their regions and working on getting better representation - and ensuring that people come to the stands to vote next time there is an election. There is a proper, legal, and moral way to change someone’s mind - with discussion. Threats to damage their property and hurt them are not the way.
Wrapping it all up - harming people and their property is a crime - and it isn’t the way to change people’s minds in a democratic society. It does nothing to harm Elon Musk, and all it hurts are your neighbors and friends.
Following Tesla’s Q1 2025 All-Hands Meeting, the company quietly updated the Cybertruck’s webpage. When we first checked it during our Live Space, nothing immediately stood out. At first glance, the changes seemed to be mostly stylistic—aligning the page’s format with the rest of Tesla’s site while adding a Cyber-inspired twist with unique fonts and boxed media elements.
But this morning, we took a closer look—because if there’s one thing Tesla loves, it’s hiding details in plain sight. And sure enough, we found an interesting change around Sentry Mode — playing loud music.
Sentry Mode Music
Tesla quietly updated the Sentry Mode section on the Cybertruck’s about page, adding new text that reveals Sentry Mode will soon be able to play loud music when it’s triggered. The text on Tesla’s site states:
“Enable Sentry Mode to monitor your unattended vehicle or trailer, and automatically activate the alarm, increase the touchscreen brightness, and play music at max volume if a threat is detected.”
This latest change appears to build on that, leveraging the Cybertruck’s Superhorn and external speaker, which can already play music when parked via the Boombox feature. We suspect this feature won’t rely on the internal speakers, as the music would have to be extremely loud in order to be heard outside the car.
And given how loud the Superhorn and external speakers are—powerful enough to function as a proper horn—this could be an effective deterrent for vandals or intruders.
Update: As some users have pointed out, Tesla does have a feature that Sentry Mode will play Bach on the internal speakers if the alarm is triggered while Sentry Mode is activated. It’s not completely clear whether that’s what Tesla was referring to on the new Cybertruck page, but it seems like it could be something different. Below is an example of the music that’s currently played:
Other Models Too?
While this feature was spotted on the Cybertruck’s page, it’s unlikely that it’ll be exclusive to the stainless steel beast. We did a quick scan of Tesla’s other vehicle pages, but the change hasn’t made it over to other pages yet. While not every Tesla vehicle includes a Superhorn, most are equipped with an external speaker for the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS)—which also powers the Boombox feature.
If your Tesla supports Boombox, it’s likely that Sentry Mode Music will roll out across the lineup once the update is released. However, legacy vehicles without a PWS will likely miss out on this feature.
Update: We clarified that other vehicles, like the new Model 3, also feature the same Superhorn as the Cybertruck, letting Tesla combine the traditional horn and PWS speaker into one external speaker — reducing yet another part.
When Will It Be Released?
To answer everyone’s favorite question, we know it’s not in Tesla’s 2025.8 update, which has recently started rolling out. Given the small 2025 releases so far (2025.2 and 2025.8), Tesla may be preparing a larger 2025 Spring Update similar to last year’s.
We’re about a month away from the arrival of Tesla’s Spring Update, and this could be one of the included features.
The real question is: Will Tesla allow custom sounds or music via USB? If so, the possibilities just got a whole lot more entertaining.
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