Tesla has rolled out its latest “holiday update” which is headlined by the integration of video game digital distribution service Steam in new Model S and Model X vehicles.
The electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer posted a short video on its social media demonstrating this function with the ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ video game being played on the car’s 17-inch tilting infotainment system with a wireless PlayStation 5 controller.
It says that “thousands of games” can now be played using Steam on 2022 Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles – which aren’t on sale in Australia.
CEO Elon Musk also said on Twitter the Steam games work with a keyboard and mouse.
Tesla notes Steam integration is still in beta form and in the update release notes, which can be viewed on Not a Tesla App, it says it requires the Premium Connectivity subscription.
Tesla isn’t the only car company introducing in-car gaming technology, as BMW recently announced it’s integrating the cloud-based AirConsole gaming platform in its new vehicles from next year.
Other new features that are included in this 2022 holiday update for all Tesla vehicles, including Model 3 and Model Y, include Apple Music integration, a new Dog Mode that allows owners to view the interior camera from the mobile app, myQ Connected Garage door opening connectivity, and Zoom integration.
The latter of these new features isn’t available in Australia yet.
Model S
When you’ll be able to experience playing ‘Grand Theft Auto 5’ in a new Model S and Model X using Steam in Australia isn’t clear at this stage.
The Tesla website hasn’t featured an expected delivery date for either model since the beginning of 2022.
Orders are still open for the large sedan and SUV, but their list prices have been removed from the website too.
Instead of a price, prospective buyers get a message that says: “Pricing and options will be finalised as delivery approaches.”
Model X
“You will be notified to complete your order when final pricing and options are published. Until then, your order will be considered a pre-order that you may cancel with a full refund,” the Tesla Australia website says. It costs $350 to place a pre-order.
In August 2021, the Tesla Australia website said the Model S and Model X were meant to arrive Down Under in 2022. Recent reports suggest they’re now unlikely to arrive until 2023.
The Model S Long Range had a list price of $141,990 before on-roads, and the Model S Plaid was priced at $186,990 before on-roads when they hit the configurator in August 2021.
The Model X prices ranged from $161,990 before on-roads for the Long Range to $174,990 before on-roads for the Performance.
Model S
It’s possible Tesla is unwilling to commit to a firm sticker for the Model S and Model X because it doesn’t want to continuously change the price as exchange rates, and parts and shipping costs, fluctuate in the lead-up to the car’s arrival Down Under.
Although it’s unusual for carmakers to remove pricing from a current production model, it’s not unheard of for people to pre-order a car before knowing how much it’s worth in Australia.
In some cases, people will pay a deposit for incoming vehicles that are expected to be in short supply, in others brands will accept pre-orders for electric vehicles that have been revealed years ahead of their expected production start.
MORE: Everything Tesla Model S
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