Tesla’s instrument cluster hasn’t been the focus of many updates, since attention has been diverted to the Model 3 and Model Y that do not have a traditional instrument cluster. However, a new suspension widget has been released as a rare update. Tesla modified the user experience for the Model 3 and Y by having everything go through the central media display. Yet Model S and Model X still have an instrument cluster with little improvements. Until now.
Recently, the EV carmaker published an update for the Model S and X Raven’s suspension software and included a suspension widget for the instrument cluster. While the Model S and Model X had the standard “smart” air suspension, the new Model S and Model X vehicles were released with a new adaptive suspension, described by Tesla as:
We’ve also upgraded our air suspension system for Model S and Model X with fully adaptive damping, giving it an ultra-cushioned feel when cruising on the highway or using Autopilot, and a responsive, exhilarating confidence during dynamic driving.
At the time of the release, Tesla said it would allow them to roll out future updates to this new suspension system. Then last month with software update 2020.32.1, we started seeing new suspension settings, which had a real-time visualization of the suspension performance. This is now going into the instrument cluster widget.
The visualization of the instrument cluster has now been moved behind the steering wheel, which is well-positioned to keep the driver informed on the suspension system’s response to uneven terrain when driving.
This really gives a good insight into how the vehicle is handling rough terrains, such as driving over snow or unpaved surfaces that makes it challenging to navigate. Drivers can then see how the car’s shocks respond to bumps and dips on the roads. When Tesla initially rolled out the Suspension Visualization, the aim was to increase the driver’s awareness of the stress of the vehicle’s systems. Added to the visualization was also a simplified suspension control logic so vehicles can support both temporary and permanent ride heights.
The Model 3 and Model Y does not have any Adaptive Air Suspension features because they are equipped with different shock system than the Model S and the Model Y. Model S and Model X owners can now choose between several widgets, like navigation, music, tire pressure, and now suspension.
Tesla has rolled out a new Adaptive Air Suspension widget display on the Instrument Panel of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV. This became available with the 2020.36 software update released at the end of August.
Now available worldwide, the Suspension Instrument Panel Display for the Adaptive Air system is a “real-time visualization that shows how the suspension system dynamically adjusts each wheel’s damping to account for changing road conditions. This can now be displayed on the right or left side of the instrument panel. To view, hold the respective steering wheel scroll button briefly until the available instrument panel options are displayed. Roll the scroll button to choose Suspension.”
The Performance versions of Model S and Model X can travel 348 miles and 305 miles based on the EPA cycle. The Long Range Plus Model S has a range of 402 miles and the Long Range Plus Model X has a 351 mile range. The entry-level price range starts from about $69,000.
