Tesla: What are the most anticipated features that will probably never arrive?

Despite being updated very often, Tesla cars still lack some features that owners have been asking for for a long time. Here are the basic wishes that will unfortunately disappear forever.

You know that Tesla cars are real computers on wheels that are updated frequently remotely. Likewise, the production lines evolve as the year progresses to add or correct certain material points of the cars leaving the factories.

However, despite frequent complaints from owners, many features are missing in both software and hardware. In this file, we will walk through the main desires that have remained untreated until now, and even if Elon Musk sometimes gives hope on his Twitter account, it is better not to hope too much.

But where are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

This is one of the biggest disappointments: there are no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto subscriptions. Indeed, while Elon Musk’s firm is far advanced in terms of on-board technologies, both in terms of responsiveness and the features offered, don’t plan on wearing your smartphone’s interface on a Tesla’s screen.

For years now, almost all Tesla owners have wanted the ability to use either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. For example, route planning, which is easier than on-board navigation, or using music listening apps that are not available in the original Tesla app.

Unfortunately, after all this time, it seems very unlikely that Tesla will change its mind and allow Google and Apple systems to access the infotainment system of Elon Musk’s company cars. Much to the chagrin of Tesla Model 3 or Model Y owners, you’ll just have to make do with what’s offered as standard in the onboard software. That’s a shame, of course, because despite the minor additions made during software updates, there’s still a significant difference between Tesla’s offering and Apple’s or Google’s.

No head-up display, augmented reality or 360-degree view

Currently, most manufacturers offer two practical and popular features for drivers that Tesla has not yet implemented: a head-up display and a 360-degree view. When the Tesla Model 3 was introduced in April 2016, initial criticism of the unified central display was quite fierce. In effect, many were in disbelief, having to pull off the road to see the speed or navigation directions.

More than six years later, the interface of the Tesla Model 3 has not evolved: there is no head-up display to alleviate this concern. If you’ve never experienced a car that offers a head-up display, you probably won’t be impressed by this shortcoming, but after a few days behind the wheel, you can be sure that it will win you over. car using this technology.

Remember, this is a small projection visible only to the driver (either on the windshield or on a small transparent screen) and is designed to clearly show some important information, such as the speed or the route you need to take. The Tesla Model S and Model X also lack a head-up display, but unlike the brand’s Model 3 and Model Y, there is a screen behind the steering wheel other than the central one. It’s a shame not to see Tesla explore this track, as the driving pleasure would be even better.

In the same way, Tesla does not offer a 360-degree view car or augmented reality display to facilitate parking maneuvers. Be it Nissan, BMW, Mercedes or even MG, they all offer a version of this system aimed at assisting the driver in low-speed maneuvers. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem possible with Tesla’s current camera setup. Notably, it doesn’t have a front bumper-level camera.given that the accuracy of proximity sensors remains limited, it would be very useful when you have to move very close to a wall.

To contain costs, of course it’s unlikely that Tesla will add hardware to provide a 360-degree view, augmented reality or even just add a camera to the front bumper. However, Elon Musk He said on Twitter in 2018 A 360-degree view will be available, he said. As for the head-up display, it’s better not to believe it either: the American manufacturer seems quite limited in its options, for better or for worse.

Pilot suspension: this is not available on Model 3 and Model Y

The comfort of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y is often chosen

, especially by people who are used to high-end vehicles. Although Tesla has gradually improved this point, by rearranging the insulation joints, adding double glazing or even increasing the comfort of the seats, there is no feature related to suspensions: adaptive suspensions.

For those expecting adaptive air suspension in the flagships, the Tesla Model S and Model X, and the upcoming Model 3 and Model Y, two of Tesla’s most popular vehicles, facts needed to be faced. The advantage of such suspensions is of course improving comfort by removing all road roughness without you noticing, but it can also improve efficiency by lowering the car’s ground clearance, especially at high speeds.

The Tesla Model 3 Performance can also benefit from adaptive air suspension to increase ground clearance and thus avoid rubbing the thresholds or plastics under the chassis when landing in underground parking lots or during overpasses that are a little too high. Indeed, with only 13 centimeters of ground clearance and a relatively long wheelbase (2.88 meters), unfortunately it is not uncommon to rub lightly under the car, fortunately in most cases it remains unharmed. .

The optional addition of controlled air suspension on the Tesla Model Y, which is intended to be more family-friendly than sporty, would be really nice, and Tesla has experience with these suspensions thanks to the Model S and Model X equipped with them. since many years. This seems like a drawback for some potential buyers when comparing this SUV to the competition., it will then agree to move on to other references, such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, which offers controlled suspensions. In any case, it is better not to hope for the possible arrival of this option in the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y: the chances of it seeing the light of day are very low.

However, let’s credit this shortcoming with the Model 3 and Model Y not having to worry. They are really “sports” type with a fairly solid chassis and suspension, but there is no ban on all this.

Where are the massage and ventilated seats?

The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have heated front and rear seats, and even power in the front, but lack some comfort options sometimes found in cars in the same price range: ventilated seats and massaging seats. . In addition to providing comfort, ventilated seats slightly reduce air conditioning consumption. Indeed, by increasing the feeling of freshness, ventilated seats have the effect of reducing the need for air conditioning in the cabin.

If the heated seats are very effective at providing an instant feeling of warmth, the ventilated seats are equally effective at cooling the body, and it’s a shame that Tesla only offers it on the Tesla Model S and Model X. useful if you prefer the black interior, which tends to get very hot in the seats in the summer. If you restore your car after leaving it in the sun for several hours, it is likely that the seats are hot, and this unpleasant feeling would be avoided if they were ventilated.

As for the massage seats, this is also an option available in some other manufacturers, which allows you to relax the back and lower back of passengers both while driving and stationary (for example, during fast charging). Despite this, For these two seating options, we still have to stay realistic: the chances of them seeing the light of day in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are almost nil., given that Tesla is trying to remove components rather than add them (the manufacturer notably removed lumbar support from the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in late 2021). But as we will eventually see, there is still hope for certain features.

Is there anything in store for the future?

As we’ve seen before, many of the claimed features aren’t relevant at all: Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, controlled suspension and even ventilated seats are dreams that have no chance of seeing the light of day. However, All wishes of Tesla owners are not always fruitless. For example, starting in 2021, we can cite load planning, turn-by-turn navigation or the addition of an electric rear trunk in the Tesla Model 3.

Tidal recently came to the infotainment system, and today Apple Music is expected to be the next music streaming service to be available directly in the brand’s cars. With the release of electric pickups like the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning, many have pointed out that the front trunk is electric, while the Tesla has to manually open and close it. We can certainly hope for a change at this point in the near future, but nothing is less certain.

Tesla is still a manufacturer aiming for growth of about 50% per year (in the number of cars sold), and in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to limit the complexity of production as much as possible. Therefore, every change, addition or modification of the production process must be very well thought out so as not to cause any problems.

There is also a price limit. Adding an element of comfort will definitely increase the selling price of the car and thus reduce its appeal to consumers. And Tesla doesn’t want to offer the extensive list of options that some manufacturers do to keep production simple and fast.

And finally, for those waiting for features that, alas, will never come: Tesla seems to be selling vehicles unscathed, with delays that continue to stretch. If the current offering is selling so well, why should they improve their offering?

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