One distinguishing feature of the Tesla Model 3 & Y is that the vehicles only come with a single screen for the entire vehicle. However, this might be about to change after a teardown of the vehicles' MCU revealed a currently not in use connector dubbed "2nd display".
Follow us today...
When Tesla unveiled the Model 3 back in 2016, the biggest controversy regarding the vehicle was that it lacked a second screen behind the steering wheel which is also called an instrument cluster.
The Model 3 did away with the instrument cluster and moved information like speed and autopilot information to the main 15-inch touch screen in the center of the vehicle. And, once Tesla announced the Model Y, the EV maker continued with this interior layout.
Since then, there have been sporadic reports of Tesla adding a heads-up display to the 2 vehicles. However, Elon Musk has shot down those rumors multiple times until the broader Tesla community accepted the vehicles will only have a single screen for the foreseeable future.
Related News: Tesla Explains Why The Refreshed Model Y Only Has A 279 Mile Range Despite 4680 Cells & Structural Pack
At least that is until now. According to @greentheonly who is a white hat Tesla hacker famous for predicting Tesla’s moves, the EV maker is apparently looking to add a second screen to the Model 3 & Y.
Green as he is known on Twitter, came to this conclusion after examining an AMD-based model 3 & Y media control unit. During his inspection, Green noticed a currently not in use connector in the MCU marked as “2nd display”.
The first thing that comes to mind is maybe Tesla added this open port not to specifically add a second connector to the Model 3 & Y but, rather is simply using parts from Model S & X which currently come with multiple screen connectors.
Related News: ARK Invest’s New Research Gives Tesla A 2026 Bull Case Valuation Of 6.7 Trillion Dollars
However, Green has also examined the MCUs of the Model S & X and he says that they are significantly different than the Model 3 & Y’s MCUs. This means Tesla has intentionally added the connector dubbed 2nd display on Model 3 & Y.
As for when this second display might be coming, Green says he doesn’t have an exact date but, has given an example of how a “similar story played out with original ModelY with unpopulated USB3 that then got populated in a later revision.”
This is certainly exciting and will undoubtedly make a lot of people happy. Although, the usual questions of a retrofit are likely to come up. As for a retrofit, Green says that will be impossible especially for Tesla vehicles with an Intel-built MCU, as the latter has a “totally different power and other harness and thickness of the unit.”
As of now, it is difficult to say when exactly Tesla is planning to add a second display to the Model 3 & Y. However, we will be sure to keep you posted as we learn more about the situation. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Excited that Tesla might add a second screen to the Model 3 & Y? Would a second screen make the vehicles more attractive to you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla
For more information check out: Tesla Updates Leasing Conditions In The US: Will No Longer Allow Purchase At End Of Contracts
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
Follow us today...
I have a Model 3 on order,
I have a Model 3 on order, due this summer. I’d love it if the second screen were added before they build my Tesla.
Why on earth would you want a
Why on earth would you want a second screen? One is plenty as your eyes should be on the road anyway.
I continually astounded when I ride in non-Tesla at how distracting all the dials, knobs and various screens.
Keep it simple - and safe - Elon.
Why on earth would you want a
Why on earth would you want a single centered screen? In line with driver's vision is safer as your eyes should be on the road anyway. I continually astounded when I ride in 3/Y at how distracting to turn my head to see basic information and controls. Keep it simple - and safe - and in front of the driver - Elon.
Why are you looking at the
Why are you looking at the screen anyway? Driving my Model 3 for over three years and seldom need to look at the screen, other than the occasional glance to check my speed. Flicking my eyes to the side is not an issue and does not require me to turn my head at all.
Fortunately the voice commands cover virtually everything I need to adjust while driving, although I think it’s time Tesla added a voice command for the fog lights.
Looking that far too the side
Looking that far too the side makes me uncomfortable in heavy traffic or on narrow or two-lane roads. I check speed often. HUD would be ideal, zero eye movement, but a screen in front of the driver would be next best. A single centered screen requires the most head/eye movement and so is the worst option for people who feel as I do.
The idea is the second
The idea is the second display provides critical road information like spedometer, battery reserve, etc. directly in front of the steering wheel. Although I've gotten used to having to always glance to the right to check my speed, it would be nice if that information were directly above the wheel, like every other car in the world!
Why? That would only add
Why? That would only add clutter to a nice, clean console. Personally I think the M3 is perfect as is. I certainly don’t need any more info directly in front of me, other than a clear view of the road.
Got a Model S85D coming up to
Got a Model S85D coming up to 7 years old, looking to change but still want space, the Y is a perfect compromise, but want to have critical information, speed, navigation, battery level right in front of me. Can't spend an extra £35k just to get the second display in a new S. Looks like an ID 4 GTX is the next best option but come on Elon this would be a simple fix to add to the option list ?