Tesla Model S with motorized tilting screen spotted in the wild

Image: Tesla

A Model S with a factory-equipped motorized, swiveling center screen has been spotted in the wild. Li can be seen using a button on the screen to tilt the display from left to right. The motorized front trunk seen in the video is an aftermarket modification.

The center screen is a small quality-of-life improvement. Rather than being static and positioned so that both the driver and passengers can see it, it can be moved for optimum visibility by the driver when operating the vehicle, or by a passenger when parked.

There is a weird history to the screens. Although the feature has been available in the form of aftermarket modifications, last year the company said it would be coming to its refreshed Model S and Model X cars. The product pages were updated a few months later to remove references to the feature that had already been spotted in the wild.

The Model S already has most of the hardware required to offer a screen that can be changed, but without the motor to move it. It has led to speculation that parts shortages have prevented the feature from being offered in its cars.

The Model S shown in the video was delivered on April 29th, and Li confirmed that the swiveling display is not an aftermarket mod. The latest Model S and Model X cars are equipped with the hardware to support the feature, according to the host of the Ride the Lightning show. With any luck, that should mean that the Model S and XTeslas will come standard with swiveling screens.