Video shows Tesla delivering cars with ‘swivel’ touchscreen

An integral part of following Tesla’s new-car news is the regular on-the-fly updates deployed by the American electric car company, often with minimal advance warning.

A video published to Twitter appears to show a new feature set to become the norm for Tesla customers; a motorised swivelling touchscreen that can tilt left and right.

The video was published online by Larry Li, showing the feature in operation in a new Model S. It’s one of several new features Li shows off in the video, with a power-opening and closing ‘frunk’ and boot lid also featuring.

A swivelling screen helps make its controls more legible to the driver, while also potentially reducing glare. It’s been reported that the change will be exclusive to the Model S and Model X. The car in the video was reportedly delivered on April 28.

Neither Tesla nor its CEO Elon Musk have confirmed whether the feature is real, prompting some on the internet to question the authenticity of Li’s video and its claims.

Li is known for customising Teslas, with his modifications including the installation of aftermarket power-opening frunks and boot lids. This has prompted suggestion that he has made the changes himself.

It’s worth noting that all of the new features in the video are controlled through the Tesla’s user interface, in the ‘Controls’ menu. In operation at least, the features appear to be authentic.

Tesla has reportedly been delivering Tesla models with hardware capable of making the screen swivel, but minus the motors, meaning the feature was not operational.