Photo: Tesla
Tesla is preparing to offer software-capped versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in certain markets, as revealed by a recent firmware decompiling. Tesla plans to limit the power of the Model 3 to 110 kW, while the Model Y will be software-capped at 159 kW. This will allow Tesla to offer future paid upgrades to unlock the full power.
The beauty of software-defined vehicles (SDV) is that carmakers can upgrade their features over time, making the car seem fresh with every software update. Carmakers like Tesla also use software to tailor vehicle features and specifications to specific markets. This saves them money, as they don't need to produce different hardware for every market. For instance, switching headlights from LHD to RHD countries is only a matter of software localization.
However, companies can also use software to limit performance or lock features to pave the way for future paid upgrades. This is nothing new, and many carmakers have tried to do it with various success rates. For instance, BMW locked seat heating and offered owners the chance to pay a subscription to unlock it, but the move backfired.
Another example is Tesla selling different Model Y variants even though they are, in fact, using the same hardware. Case in point: the recently announced Model Y Long Range RWD with 320 miles of range replacing the older Model Y RWD with 260 miles of range. Although the specifications suggest a major change, they are, in fact, the same car with the same drive units and battery pack. All that is different is in the software.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk confirmed this in a post earlier this month. He also revealed that Tesla plans to offer a paid upgrade for $1,500 to $2,000 to unlock between 40 and 60 miles of range, depending on the battery cells. In the past, Tesla also provided software-capped versions of its vehicles to match specific regulations and tax brackets in the countries it operates. Locking battery capacity is common, allowing carmakers to optimize production and logistics across different vehicle trims.
Now, Tesla is doing it again, as revealed by white-hat hacker Green (@greentheonly). Based on the decompiling of Tesla software, Green discovered that recent firmware brings a "soft performance limit" flag to Model 3 and Model Y. The limitation is not for the battery but for the power available. Thus, the Model 3 is limited to 110 kW, while the Model Y has a 159-kW cap.
The fact that the software caps are supported in firmware doesn't mean you can buy these variants in the US. As some people pointed out in replies to Green's post, these are market-specific variants that can allow more favorable taxation. For instance, the 110-kW cap is for the Tesla Model 3 RWD 110 version sold in Singapore, allowing owners to pay lower import taxes. The 159-kW limit for the Model Y seems targeted at the Turkish market, which imposes a higher tax rate for vehicles with over 160 kW of power.
If you're curious about how these limitations affect performance, the Model 3 RWD 110 has the same top speed as the standard model. However, the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time increased to 8.6 seconds, or 2.5 seconds more. In the case of the Model Y, the 0-100 kph acceleration time is only 0.6 seconds higher, at 7.5 seconds instead of 6.9 seconds.
However, companies can also use software to limit performance or lock features to pave the way for future paid upgrades. This is nothing new, and many carmakers have tried to do it with various success rates. For instance, BMW locked seat heating and offered owners the chance to pay a subscription to unlock it, but the move backfired.
Another example is Tesla selling different Model Y variants even though they are, in fact, using the same hardware. Case in point: the recently announced Model Y Long Range RWD with 320 miles of range replacing the older Model Y RWD with 260 miles of range. Although the specifications suggest a major change, they are, in fact, the same car with the same drive units and battery pack. All that is different is in the software.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk confirmed this in a post earlier this month. He also revealed that Tesla plans to offer a paid upgrade for $1,500 to $2,000 to unlock between 40 and 60 miles of range, depending on the battery cells. In the past, Tesla also provided software-capped versions of its vehicles to match specific regulations and tax brackets in the countries it operates. Locking battery capacity is common, allowing carmakers to optimize production and logistics across different vehicle trims.
Now, Tesla is doing it again, as revealed by white-hat hacker Green (@greentheonly). Based on the decompiling of Tesla software, Green discovered that recent firmware brings a "soft performance limit" flag to Model 3 and Model Y. The limitation is not for the battery but for the power available. Thus, the Model 3 is limited to 110 kW, while the Model Y has a 159-kW cap.
The fact that the software caps are supported in firmware doesn't mean you can buy these variants in the US. As some people pointed out in replies to Green's post, these are market-specific variants that can allow more favorable taxation. For instance, the 110-kW cap is for the Tesla Model 3 RWD 110 version sold in Singapore, allowing owners to pay lower import taxes. The 159-kW limit for the Model Y seems targeted at the Turkish market, which imposes a higher tax rate for vehicles with over 160 kW of power.
If you're curious about how these limitations affect performance, the Model 3 RWD 110 has the same top speed as the standard model. However, the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time increased to 8.6 seconds, or 2.5 seconds more. In the case of the Model Y, the 0-100 kph acceleration time is only 0.6 seconds higher, at 7.5 seconds instead of 6.9 seconds.
Hm, interesting, recent firmwares bring "soft performance limit" option to Model3 and ModelY, listed as 110kW and 160kW respectively
— green (@greentheonly) May 26, 2024
Google News