Tesla is set to launch the Model X today at the Fremont factory and CEO Elon Musk said there still are a few things we don’t know about the company’s all-electric SUV. Earlier this month we speculated that the Model X could have next generation headlights. Today we explore the likely possibility of the new vehicle being equipped with hybrid display/mirror for rear-view.We are talking about a rear-view mirror that can either operate as a standard automatic dimming mirror or as a rear-view display (see picture above). For such a system, the vehicle would of course need a rear-view camera. The Model S already has a camera for reverse mode and the Model X seems to have the same just above the plate, but on recent pictures released with the online design studio, the Model X appears to have what could be another camera above the rear window:
The rear-view of the Model S is already minimal and we can expect the Model X’s to be even worst considering the SUV will have a third row. It could certainly justify the use of a hybrid display/mirror system for the rear-view.
Adding to the speculation, one of Tesla’s mirror supplier, Gentex, is a leader in hybrid display/mirror and earlier this year, a Gentex engineer briefly posted to Reddit pictures of the Model X at a Gentex shop before quickly removing them and deleting his account.
The stunt not only fuelled the idea of a potential display/mirror hybrid, but also that Tesla could be using Gentex’s electrochromic technology for the impressive panoramic windshield of the Model X.
Here’s a promo of Gentex’s hybrid display/mirror rear-view system:
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Magna is the supplier for the Model X inside and outside mirrors according to IHS SupplierBusiness. Hopefully they have a similar solution to Gentex.
you should do a closer look at the side mirrors of the Model X, some of Tesla’s renders had it shaped like a mini camera… I wonder what have they done inside with their screens and would they be always on or what…!
my understanding is that it was only for early protoypes, not on recent mules or pictures from the design studio. Can you point to any picture in particular? I could take a look…
I am from Egypt so I can’t really say I have access to the design studio lol but I always thought this would be a feature in the design studio specially because it will enhance the air flow dynamics on the sides, but couldn’t really understand how they handled the solution interior wise.
If you searched Google Imges for Tesla Model X you will find about half the pictures there has the side cameras not mirrors and about half of those are renders from Tesla itself… You have a picture here on Electrek a little down the news stream as a cover for “Tesla Model X is sold out until half of 2016” headline.
yeah those are olds. all recents renders and mules pictures show the Model X with side mirrors.
I just found a video for the prototype with the side cameras and the interior looks normal on the sides :\ idk maybe they actually couldn’t find a suitable solution for the idea … maybe we will see something better in the future.