Infotainment Review: Tesla Model S

There's an inextricable link between Tesla's Model S and its industry-defying infotainment system, the centrepiece of which is an enormous 17-inch portrait-style colour touch-screen display that dominates the interior of the electrically driven wonder car.

Together with a vibrant driver information screen, the high-tech multimedia system is a perfect extension of the large zero-emissions sedan's advanced character.

The elegant screen is well laid out and offers plenty of space to accommodate large buttons, with clutter minimised through clever design and the simple restriction of full-screen or half-screen modes to operate its different functions.

At the top is the status bar with icons showing general quick info such as battery charge and 3G connectivity. Below this is the Application bar with icon-based quick links to all the features available with a quick prod.

At the base of the screen are the controls for in-cabin climate-control, volume and heated seats. All up, it is an exciting, functional, logical and responsive interface.

Maps can be displayed via the built-in SIM service, onto which satellite images from Google Maps can be overlaid. Both views contain up-to-date traffic density information.

The Tesla screen is multi-touch, allowing for iPhone/iPad-style pinch and zoom functionality and making it a logical next step in this smart-device equipped world

Normally a software upgrade – in this case 7.1 – would not rate a mention at motoring.com.au, but this is a Tesla and this over-the-air update brings with it some snazzy new features that affect how you drive the Model S.

It can also affect how you don't drive it, because in this case the software update brings some new autonomous driving functions that help the car drive itself.

Automatic parking has been enhanced to include perpendicular car parking spaces, in addition to the car's existing parallel parking support. Using the same set of sensors, the Model S can now determine just how you want the car parked simply by selecting Reverse.

The self-driving Autopilot system has also been enhanced. On-screen visualisations can now distinguish between cars, motorcycles and heavier vehicles.

The final highlight of Tesla’s 7.1 software release is Spotify. Adding to the entertainment options of AM/FM (surprisingly, given the urban focus of a fully electrified vehicle, there is no DAB+ digital radio option) and Tune In internet radio, the popular music streaming giant Spotify can add occupant-chosen beats to the EV's otherwise almost silent driving experience.

Over the imbedded 3G SIM, Tesla will pick up the tab on a premium streaming account while your Model S silently glides around the streets. Alternatively, you can plug in your own premium account details to bring your own playlists and tunes along for the ride.

However, my technology-jinxed spouse managed to select a radio station on the system that it would not move away from no matter what we did to change it.

Select another radio station and the Tesla system would revert to Gold FM. Select Tune In radio – Gold FM. Spotify – bloody Gold FM.

We attempted what any helpful support technician would suggest, but turning the car off and on again did not solve the issue, so to web forums we headed.

Thankfully, if you're wondering, the answer was there: hold down both steering wheel buttons and the system reboots. We also discovered some fun, hidden Easter eggs online.

For example, holding down the 'LUDICROUS' acceleration mode button in the P90D variant we sampled altered the display to show the full warp-speed effect, straight from Mel Brooks' 1987 sci-fi parody Space Balls.

Enter '007' as a system code and the suspension mode screen changes from displaying the ride height of the Model S with centimetre graduations alongside a side graphic of the Model S, to an under-water depth gauge displaying James Bond’s white submersible Lotus Esprit.

The Tesla Model S infotainment system is an elegant, well thought-out, logical and easy to use system with all the features a modern, sophisticated car should offer. It has a cheeky, fun design and delivers functionality options that wow.