The Californian company still seems to be making adjustments in its strategy on Autopilot and the different formulas.
Indeed, for several months now, the options have been reduced to the subscription of the “Fully autonomous driving ability” option. Since this morning, the “Improved Autopilot” option has made a comeback.
This Autopilot has many advantages here in Europe because it unlocks the functionalities that Europe allows in the “Fully Autonomous Driving Capability” option.
Features Automatic steering (included in all production cars) Improved Autopilot Fully autonomous driving capability Trajectory maintenance X X X Automatic acceleration X X X Automatic braking X X X Navigation with Autopilot: driving assistance from the insert lane to the motorway exit, including at interchanges and for overtaking slower vehicles. X X Lane changes by car: Lane changes are automated on the motorway. X X Car parking: niche and battle parking. X X Car exit: park your vehicle and automatically remove it from its space. X X Recognition and reaction to traffic lights and stop signs X Automated city driving X
It is an offer that makes sense here in Europe, in a continent where regulations have not yet evolved as in the United States, for example.
This functionality will allow us to unlock real and useful features for owners on our daily journeys without having to go through the most expensive option
Tesla also seems to be taking advantage of this update to change the refund conditions for these additional purchases. Indeed these upgrades no longer seem to be eligible for a refund, even less than 48 hours after purchase as was possible in the past
On the other hand, when we click on “Learn more” it is indicated that only one refund request can be made . Tesla leaves a doubt that is difficult to understand
Our opinion
Having recently tested the option“Fully autonomous driving ability” on a long journey, it is obvious that this option makes sense. For example, on long motorway journeys, we drove more than 90 kilometres with a total of 30 trips without disabling the autopilot and using automatic lane change, which in fact only requires flashing lights and a slight movement of the steering wheel
More impressively, the driver assistance system does not require any validation for managing exits and entries into interchanges. In other words, the vehicle is 300-400 metres from the exit, slows down, engages the indicator and takes the exit itself without any driver intervention.
If legislation were to evolve in this direction, this type of operation for simple overtaking on motorways would be a real asset during long journeys.
Visit our accessories shop for Tesla.
