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.
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Tesla’s Dan W Priestley attended the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California, and provided an update on Tesla’s Semi truck program. The presentation covered several key developments on the status of Tesla’s Nevada Semi Factory, refinements to the Semi, and Tesla’s plans for charging and ramping production through 2026.
Let’s dig in and take a look at everything that was captured by the Out of Spec team at ACT Expo. The original video is embedded below if you’d like to watch it.
Semi Factory & Production Ramp
Priestley reaffirmed the timelines mentioned during Tesla’s Q4 2024 Earnings Call that Tesla will scale Semi production in 2026. To achieve this, Tesla has been actively building and expanding the Gigafactory Nevada site, specifically to support the production of the Tesla Semi. The dedicated Semi facility will have a targeted annual capacity of 50,000 Semi trucks.
Following the beginning of production, Tesla will utilize the initial trucks to integrate into its own logistics operations. This will serve as both a final real-world testing ground as well as an opportunity for Tesla to gather data internally. Tesla plans to begin subsequent customer deliveries throughout 2026 as the ramp-up continues.
Reuters also reported that Tesla is hiring over 1,000 new employees at the Semi Factory to begin the rapid ramping of the program.
Semi has already amassed 7.9 million miles with Tesla’s current testing and operational fleets, providing some real-world data and testing. Feedback for the truck has been exceptionally successful, with many drivers praising the Semi’s performance and comfort.
New Tesla Semi Features
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesla keynote without showing off some new things. The Semi will be available in 500-mile and 300-mile range configurations, now featuring updated mirror designs and a drop-down glass section to improve visibility and allow easier interaction with external elements—such as control panels at ports, for example.
New Electric Power Take-Off (e-PTO)
The Tesla Semi will also feature a new capability called Electric Power Take-Off, or e-PTO system. Similar to the PTO systems found on other vehicles, this will allow the Semi’s high-voltage battery to power auxiliary equipment at variable voltages. That includes being able to power things like climate-controlled reefer trailers, potentially replacing the noisy and polluting diesel generators traditionally used for this purpose.
Charging and Batteries
Out of Spec BITS/YouTube
Tesla is also working on an updated battery pack design for the final production design of the Semi. This new pack is designed to be more cost-effective to manufacture. The battery pack itself is slightly smaller than before, but the truck maintains the same level of range through efficiencies. Dan also confirmed during his keynote that the battery cells for the Semi will be sourced domestically inside the United States, helping to alleviate potential burdens due to tariffs.
On the charging front, Tesla is using MCS - the Megawatt Charging System - capable of 1.2MW - and designed specifically for Semi. The system uses the same V4 charging hardware found at Supercharger sites but focuses on that larger power output. Alongside a smaller physical footprint, Tesla will be able to configure these V4 cabinets for either dedicated Semi charging or for shared power scenarios with regular Superchargers. Tesla is also working on an integrated overnight charging product, but Tesla isn’t ready to talk about it yet.
46 Semi Charger Sites Coming
The 46 new MCS sites coming soon.
Out of Spec BITS/YouTube
Finally, Tesla has made substantial investments in a public charging network for the Semi. There are currently 46 sites in progress throughout the United States, and plans for significant expansion throughout 2026 and 2027. These sites are strategically located alongside major truck routes and within industrial areas to support long-haul and regional operations. Tesla is aiming to offer the lowest possible energy costs to operators to help incentivize adoption.
This was one of the best updates to the Tesla Semi we’ve received since its initial unveiling. It seems that the Semi will receive a big portion of Tesla’s attention in 2026, while Robotaxi and FSD Unsupervised take the stage this year.
The Tesla Semi has the potential to transform transportation even more dramatically than EVs already have, serving as a testament to Tesla’s mission to electrify the world.
Sentry Mode is an invaluable tool for owners - capable of keeping the vehicle safe and secure even when you’re not around. This is especially true in recent times, with the misguided and unfortunate incidents surrounding Tesla ownership, including damage to Tesla vehicles, showrooms, and Superchargers.
B-pillar Camera Recording and Dashcam Viewer
With the 2025 Spring Update on 2025.14, Tesla is expanding Sentry Mode’s functionality for certain vehicles with some much-needed changes. Sentry Mode and Dashcam can now record footage from the vehicle’s B-pillar cameras. These cameras are located on the side pillars of the vehicle, between the front and rear doors.
This adds two crucially needed viewpoints, making Tesla’s Sentry Mode a truly 360-degree security system. These cameras also provide the best angles for capturing license plates when parked, so they will be greatly appreciated by owners in the event of an incident.
These vehicles are also receiving an improved Dashcam Viewer, which now displays the six camera feeds along the bottom and a new grid view. It also allows users to jump back or forward in the video in 15-second increments.
However, to the disappointment of many owners, not all vehicles are receiving these updates due to the additional processing power needed.
Limited to Hardware 4 Vehicles, Ryzen Isn’t Enough
We have confirmed that Tesla is only adding the additional camera recording and improved Dashcam Viewer on hardware 4 (HW4 / AI4) vehicles. The newer hardware presumably has the additional processing power and bandwidth needed to handle recording and saving the two additional video streams during Sentry Mode and Dashcam.
For the time being, owners of HW3 vehicles are not receiving this feature. This includes all vehicles with HW3, even those with AMD Ryzen infotainment systems. If you’re not sure whether your vehicle has HW3 or HW4, you can refer to our FSD hardware guide.
While there’s no doubt that recording two additional camera streams would be more computationally intensive, we hope that Tesla adds the improved Dashcam Viewer to HW3 vehicles in a future update.
Cybertruck Also Missing Improved Sentry Mode
Surprisingly, and most confusing for many - is the fact that the Cybertruck is also not receiving the improved Dashcam Viewer and B-pillar camera recording with this update. This struck us as odd, especially since the Cybertruck is currently the only vehicle with the improved, more efficient version of Sentry Mode.
Every Cybertruck is equipped with HW4 and AMD Ryzen infotainment units, so this clearly isn’t a hardware restriction. It’s possible the more efficient Sentry Mode is playing a role here due to the infrastructure changes. However, we expect Tesla to address this in a future update and eventually release these features for the Cybertruck as well.
Given the Cybertruck’s high visibility and its status as a frequent target for both positive and negative attention, many owners hoped that the Cybertruck would be one of the vehicles to receive this feature.
Adaptive Headlights
Tesla finally started rolling out its adaptive headlights in North America. While the new Model Y already came with the feature when it was released last month, other vehicles with matrix headlights are now receiving the feature in the Spring Update.
All vehicles with matrix headlights are receiving this feature, which includes the new and old Model 3, first-gen Model Y, and the new Model S and Model X.
If you’re not sure if your vehicle includes matrix headlights, check out our guide. What’s interesting here is that older vehicles that were retrofitted with matrix headlights due to an accident or user replacement are also receiving the adaptive headlights feature.
Legacy Model S & Model X
As with most updates, the older legacy Model S and Model X are not receiving all the features included in this update. Unfortunately, some of the features, which include the Blind Spot Camera on the instrument cluster, Save Trunk Height Based on Location and Keep Accessory Power On are limited to the new Model S and X.
Legacy S and X models will receive the Alternative Trip Plans feature, Avoid Highways (Requires Intel MCU) and the Keyboard Languages feature.
These vehicles are also receiving all the features in the Minor Updates section except for the visualization showing how far the door is opened, which is exclusive to the Cybertruck. These additions include improved music search results, contact photos in the phone app, automatic connecting to hotspots, the ability to show third-party chargers, view Supercharger amenities, and various improvements to music services.
While many users will be disappointed not to receive the B-pillar camera recording and Dashcam Viewer improvements, it’s important to remember that Tesla typically does a great job at bringing features to older vehicles, at least with the Model 3 and Model Y. If a feature isn’t added, it’s usually due to a hardware limitation.
![Tesla Semi Keynote: New Features, 46 Charging Sites, Upgraded Battery & More [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/semi/semi-new-features.jpg/c7df4e0d32f8cb0beee080ad201e943b/semi-new-features.jpg)
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