Equipped with "Summon" for Remote Operation

Tesla's EV sedan, the Model S, has undergone its first facelift. The revisions are primarily to the exterior, with changes to the front and rear bumpers. The black nose cone has been removed, emphasizing a grille with a "T" motif. The headlight units are now full LED and can be optionally equipped with adaptive functionality. Additionally, the front and rear spoilers and side skirts, previously black, are now color-matched. The design of the standard 19-inch alloy wheels has also been updated.

While there are no major changes to the interior, the center console box is now standard. Furthermore, a new optional "HEPA Air Filtration System," a high-performance air purification function to maintain a cleaner cabin, is available. The onboard charger has also been upgraded from 40A to 48A, enabling faster charging when connected to a higher amperage power source.

The model lineup remains the same, with three variants differing in battery capacity: the "70D," the "90D," and the high-performance "P90D." Prices have also been revised, ranging from ¥10,156,000 to ¥14,376,500.

To coincide with the announcement of the new model, the release of the new "Summon" feature, starting the same day, was also announced. This is a remote parking function via smartphone, allowing the driver to control the Model S's parking maneuvers from outside the vehicle. To use Summon for parking, first stop the vehicle within approximately 12 meters of the parking space and shift the gear to park. Then, issue operational commands via the Tesla app on your smartphone, and the vehicle will automatically drive straight forward or backward. It supports not only forward parking but also reverse parking, which is common in Japan. Of course, the parking operation can be stopped with a single button, and the vehicle will automatically stop if its sensors detect an obstacle.

At the press conference, a demonstration was conducted using a two-car garage set up at the venue. The Model S, parked in front of the garage, was shown neatly parking itself in the garage through the operation of the driver's smartphone. Although it is a simple system to use, it relies on communication between the smartphone and the vehicle via an internet connection, so it cannot be used in areas without reception. Additionally, existing Model S vehicles that have already been delivered will also be able to use the new "Summon" function through a software update.

At the press conference, Nicolas Villeger, who was appointed President of Tesla Motors Japan in January of this year, touched upon the timing of the launch of Tesla's first SUV, the Model X, in the Japanese market, stating, "If we can make it in time for Christmas this year...", indicating a target for a year-end launch. The Model X, along with the compact EV "Model 3" scheduled for release in 2017 or later, is already available for pre-order.