Tesla's future-proofed tech updates arrive in Oz

Most car makers offer new technology with mid-life updates, in other words you need to buy an all-new car to get the latest tech, but innovative electric car company Tesla is changing the state of play.

Now Australian owners of the Tesla Model S can simply download the latest patch, version 6.1, which enables advanced features such as traffic-aware cruise control, an enhanced park assist view and camera-enabled automatic high and low beam headlights.

There's also a new 'Beta' feature being trialled called Smart pre-conditioning, which "will automatically get the cabin climate ready for you," according to the Telsa press statement. It does so by identifying usage patterns and adjusting the system accordingly, to make sure the cabin is appropriately heated or cooled.

According to the company, the download takes about 45 minutes when connected to a typical broadband WiFi network, allowing owners to park their car at home for instance and then toy with the new features once completed.

Dubbed 'over-the-air' updates, the new software/hardware renewal process is like many of Tesla's inventive approaches, which unlike mainstream car brands, exclusively sells electric vehicles.

All Tesla Model S vehicles sold in Australia are fitted with the Autopilot and Tech Package hardware, which means the 6.1 patch enables a number of advanced features, which are as follows:

- Traffic aware cruise control
- Remote opening of the charge port via key fob
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic high beam dipping
- Trip energy predition
- Smart pre-conditioning (BETA)
- Enhanced park assist view
- Reverse camera guidelines
- Media App improvements
- Simplified right steering wheel controls

The Tesla Model S is priced from $91,400 in Australia for the rear-wheel drive 285kW model, and tops out at $133,500 for the P85D all-wheel drive 515kW variant. Claimed ranges are between 390 and 500km.