Tesla Model 3: is the disappearance of the dashboard legal

To successfully offer its Model 3 Tesla removed the dashboard, and then find a single 15-inch screen, in the middle of the dashboard that displays the map, but also applications like Spotify, which allows set all the drive parameters of the engine to the chassis through the cabin temperature. This is also the screen that displays, in miniature, the speedometer. An amazing practice. But is it legal?

During the announcement of the Tesla Model 3 , which struck us - parallel to its beauty - is unique 15-inch screen positioned horizontally . To recall, on a Tesla Model S, there were two screens: a 12.3-inch display as dashboard and a huge 17-inch screen, in portrait format, the middle of the dashboard of the vehicle. For Model 3, Tesla was forced to cut costs to successfully offer a starting price of 35,000 dollars against 75,000 dollars for her big sister the Model S. The two screens are processed in a single display, placed in the middle of the dashboard, like a Renault Twingo or Toyota Yaris. Except that unlike these, the speedometer is not the main element, far from it .

A speedometer almost hidden

As can be seen the first photos of the vehicle issued by the website The Verge , the speedometer seems lost, while the top left of the screen , between the cruise control indicator, and the autonomous driving indicator, the famous Autopilot feature . This is clearly not the information that is obvious when you look at this picture of remote edge. Map and Spotify There are indeed, with below, the basic functions of a car as locking doors or heating management in the cockpit. In this connection, the open dash enabled Tesla develop invisible air outlets and an innovative air flow, which is distributed throughout the cabin more easily. Rear passengers so stop being cold when the passenger in front transpireront profusely. But is it legal to display speed information in a manner so little visible

According to Annex 5 of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic , "  every motor vehicle capable of exceeding a speed of 40 km per hour must be equipped with a speedometer ", without elaborating. The Tesla Model 3 fully fulfills this obligation. In France, this is the article R317-1 of the Highway Code requires that "  any motor vehicle, with the exception of agricultural vehicles and equipment or construction, must be fitted with a speedometer placed well in view of the driver and maintained in good working order ". Is the counter of the Model 3 prominent driver? Presumably because it is positioned in the same place as cars registered in France, and its size is similar to the counter of a Renault Twingo original.

Legal counter, but amazing

In short, the speedometer of the Tesla Model 3 seems completely legal, whether in France, but also in Europe, although its size can shock. But ultimately, the idea of Tesla is to build an autonomous car that respects the speed limits. The speedometer will logically sidelined , while other information (map, entertainment applications, etc.) will become much more important. One can also wonder if the system is still based on the Tegra 3 chip (or newer) Nvidia, like the Model S and Model X .

A modular system

In any case, we imagine that the virtual dashboard of the Tesla Model 3 will be flexible, like the two screens of the Tesla Model S. It should then be possible to move in a display that would put a little more before the speedometer. One could also imagine a system that would allow the speedometer to see the size change with the speed of the vehicle , so the driver keeps more in his field of vision. Finally, do not forget that the Model 3 will be available at the end of 2017 in the US and 2018 in Europe. Until then, Tesla has the right to change his vehicle, and add features. It is therefore possible that this 15 inch dashboard by changing the output of the car.