The lack of instrument cluster in the Model 3 prototypes unveiled at the event this week has divided Tesla enthusiasts. For some its a deal-breaker, but for others it created hope for more advanced autonomous features and HUD technology in the production vehicle.
We reported on the possibility that the lack of instrument cluster could simply not make it to production, but in a video of a test drive at the event posted today, a Tesla representative refers to the Model 3 prototype as an “engineering validation car” and saying that the feature should make it to production.
The video was taken by Casey Spencer, a Model S owner who set a new record for the longest distance traveled on a single charge in a Model S last year. He “hypermiled” his car to 550.3 miles in 26 hours.
During his test ride in the Model 3 on Thursday, Spencer asked a Tesla representative:
“Do you think that the fact there’s no instrument cluster will make it to the production model?”
The Tesla representative answered:
“Yes. This is not a show car. This is an engineering prototype. This is our first engineering validation car that we are working on. We are getting accustomed with it and we really want to make it production representative,”
You can watch the full video below.
Another representative said that the center display was made with assisted and autonomous driving in mind, and for being used by both the driver and passenger.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that “some important elements will be added and some will evolve.”
[tweet https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/715309739752747009 align=’center’]
A HUD (heads-up display) could be on of the “important elements” that will be added and would explain why there’s no instrument cluster.
Microvision HUD concept
Elon Musk also said that he expects Tesla’s fully autonomous driving technology to be ready by the time the Model 3 is set to enter production, which could be another explanation for the car’s interior.
You can read our post summarizing everything new we learned at the Model 3 event here.
Here’s Casey Spencer’s video:
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One year and a halt to complete the autonomous driving capabilities.
Tic tac tic tac…
I didn’t placed the reservation because of the interier. Maybe the HUD could explain it…
Also the steering wheel with totally no controls and weird look is another big negative surprise.
But as a working prototype, it looks reasonable, I just hope it will evolve a bit.
I really hope a HUD is in the cards and just being kept a secret. Not only does it help keep the interior clean and simple, but is both cool and useful.
The HUD will be an expensive extra (guessing)
If my memory serves me right there are some laws that mandate that certain controls are in the same place in every vehicle.
There were huge problems 100+ years ago when some makers put the accelerator pedal on the left instead of the right.
The same goes for lights and indicators (turn signals to Americans)
Tesla will have to obey those laws/rules to get the car Homologised.
Even on bog standard ICE cars there are changes between the functional prototypes and the production models. Why else would the makes send out lots of them covered in dazzle paint on extensive road tests?
Very much a case of wait and see.
I do know one thing and that is (As a former owner) I hated the original Mini with its centrally mounted speedo. The current setup does not make me want to buy on of these one little bit. Sorry Elon but I think that (current design) is, while radical and simple and clean, a huge mistake.
This is great.
I think the interior looks very sleek and minimalist. I even like the non-circular steering wheel. Adding a HUD would be perfect.
I love the dash. I hate the current dashboards with 38758537 buttons and dials. I would totally dig this!
Awesome. I really like how clean it looks.
That HUD in model 3 would look fantastic! Would definitely help keep the interior sleek and minimalist like Peter Almvall mentioned in one of the earlier comments.
Personally I really like the look of the interior, it’s the kind of innovation I expect from Tesla (I suspect the space-age look owes something to design principles shared with SpaceX – the Dragon 2 capsule is similarly minimalistic). Given what Tesla have already accomplished, I’m confident that whatever is released will be functional and enjoyable to use. I’m very happy I got my order in early!
The people crapping out because of the missing cluster wouldn’t do so if they knew a HUD is in the works. Would be such a waste to not do one. Its honestly make it or brake it.
Visually, I like it, but in its current iteration I think the touch screen would be a theft magnet. It looks way too easy to break off. I would prefer just the screen but have it more physically integrated into the dash.