Tesla Keeps Surprising: Return of Familiar Features, Upgraded Autopilot, AI, and Record-Breaking Range

Tesla is once again in the spotlight, bringing back the classic turn signal stalk to the Model 3. Two years ago, the automaker abandoned stalk controls in favor of steering wheel buttons and on-screen functions. However, many owners found the change inconvenient, prompting Tesla to reconsider. The first market to receive the updated vehicles is China, where the new Model 3 units will roll off the production line with stalks already installed.

Additionally, vehicles manufactured after February 7, 2025, will be eligible for retrofitting at Tesla service centers for $350. Earlier models will also get the option later. For now, the U.S. and Europe don’t have this program: owners will have to wait for an official rollout or turn to third-party services.

The situation echoes the story of the yoke steering wheel in the Model S. Initially, Tesla strongly promoted the concept but later brought back the traditional round wheel. The lesson is clear: even the most innovative brands must listen to real-world feedback. Classic controls remain in demand, and not every experiment gains traction.

At the same time, Tesla is preparing a major upgrade to its Full Self-Driving system. Elon Musk announced that the new version will be able to process ten times more parameters than the current one. According to Teslarati, Musk previously mentioned potential memory overload risks with such an upgrade, but engineers found a workaround. He added that the updated software is already being tested and may be released by late September.

The improved system is expected to enhance Autopilot reliability and allow the onboard computer to better assess road conditions. In June, Tesla showcased a fully autonomous trip from the factory to a customer without a driver or remote supervision. The route included both highways and city streets.

Meanwhile, in China, certification is nearing completion for new versions of the Model 3 and Model Y. The Model 3+ will become the longest-range variant, with an additional 77 kilometers compared to the current maximum. For the first time, details have also emerged about the three-row Model YL with six seats.

The Model 3+ will feature an LG battery with a capacity of 78.4 kWh using nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. Certified ranges are listed at 800 and 830 kilometers, likely depending on configuration. Both variants weigh around 1,760 kg. Current Chinese Model 3 versions offer between 623 and 753 kilometers of range. The new model will be available only in a single-motor setup producing 306 hp — 30 hp more than the current version.

As for the Model YL, the crossover will come with an 82 kWh battery and up to 751 kilometers of range. Despite the larger battery, the range is lower than the Model 3+ because the six-seat crossover includes dual motors: 193 hp at the front and 269 hp at the rear.

Another Model Y variant is undergoing road tests in China, but certification details remain unknown. Preliminary reports suggest it will be the most affordable version, featuring a simplified configuration.

Beyond that, Tesla is preparing to launch a new AI system in its vehicles — Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. The information surfaced after firmware analysis of recent updates. According to the leak, users will be able to choose from 14 unique AI “personalities,” including “Children’s Storyteller,” “Doctor,” “Therapist,” “Meditation,” “Conspiracy Theorist,” “Debater,” and even “Sexy Grok.”

Each persona will feature its own communication style, vocabulary, and dialogue tone. The concept seems aimed at making interaction with the car something more than issuing voice commands. It is unclear whether Grok will be available across all models or only those equipped with the MCU3 infotainment system featuring AMD Ryzen chips. A subscription model is also being discussed, similar to Tesla’s extended Autopilot features.

Tesla has not officially announced the feature yet, but Musk has previously spoken about plans to integrate Grok into various products, including cars. For context: Grok is not just a chatbot. It is based on xAI’s language model, trained partly on X (formerly Twitter), giving it a distinct conversational style — ironic, sometimes provocative.

Interestingly, Tesla is not the first to move in this direction. Mercedes-Benz already offers the advanced MBUX voice assistant, while Google is planning to integrate Gemini AI into select partner brands’ vehicle systems. Musk, however, is once again aiming for more than “just convenient” — chasing the “wow” factor, where the onboard AI can argue, encourage, philosophize, and even… flirt.

Whether this will prove useful in real-world driving remains to be seen. On one hand, such AI could bring a touch of humanity into Tesla’s high-tech interiors. On the other, not everyone may appreciate their car engaging in heated debates about the meaning of life — or answering in the voice of “Sexy Grok” after a long workday.

Either way, boredom won’t be an option. The real question is: would you choose the calm “Therapist” or the sharp-tongued “Debater”?