Hardware 4: Tesla’s latest tech now finally being delivered to customers

Tesla has started the deliveries of new EVs featuring its latest tech. First deliveries of Tesla’s flagship Model X now appears to be equipped with its latest suite of cameras, the “Phoenix” HD radar and an upcoming FSD software update to enable the hardware.

Jason Clinton, a customer in the US has received delivery of a 2023 Tesla Model X Plaid that seems to be equipped with a Hardware 4 (HW4) computer as well as a suite of external cameras that are seen to be part of the updated Autopilot system. 

Jason shared the images and answered questions about what his new car comes equipped with on the social media platform Reddit. This vehicle has a build date of February 25 so delivery within 2 weeks reveals how quickly Tesla delivers some of its cars in the US. 

A Tesla Service Advisor also confirmed that Tesla’s internal systems show that the vehicle is equipped with Hardware 4. The advisor also showed Tesla’s internal inventory system screen to verify that.

There are several changes seen in this vehicle that are unlike previous Model S and Model X deliveries including the fact that the screen says “Autopilot Hardware: None”.

The vehicle cameras also have a red tint to them highlighting that they are upgraded cameras. This is also reflected in the door pillar and side repeater cameras.

Another key feature is the heating elements for the front-facing windscreen cameras.

This is good news for what’s to come in Tesla’s upcoming Model 3 upgrade and a potential Model Y one as well down the track. 

The Model S and Model X are Tesla’s flagship vehicles that also happen to be one of the technologically advanced EVs on the market. 

Australian customers are still waiting to receive the refreshed version of these models since their original unveiling in 2021. 

Having said that, we expect the latest versions to land late in 2023, all equipped with Hardware 4 and the features shared in the Tesla Model X Plaid that has just been delivered in the US.

Tesla’s Plaidium range of vehicles come in dual or tri-motor setup with the top-of-the-range vehicles offering a mammoth 1,020 HP or 760 kW. 

The top speed is limited to 262 km/hr and a car as large as Model X can still out drag most Lamborghini and Ferraris, clearly highlighting the technological superiority of a well-designed electric drivetrain.

All Plaidium vehicles also come with a 100 kWh battery pack that can fast charge at over 250 kW. 

The Driven’s take: It’s great to see the updated Hardware 4 equipped vehicles rolling out as Tesla continues to improve its vision-based Autopilot system that’s years ahead of its competitors. The same system has been tested to be the safest by safety regulators such as Euro NCAP.

We look forward to seeing these improvements in person when right-hand-drive vehicles finally arrive in Australia in the next 12 months.