Tesla describes the adaptive air suspension of the Model S and Model X as follows: “We have improved our air suspension system for the Model S and Model X with fully adaptive cushioning, giving you a feeling of maximum cushioning when traveling on the road or using the Autopilot, and responsive and stimulating confidence during dynamic driving.”
During the Model 3 launch in mid-2017, Elon Musk promised that by early 2018 the model would receive a new air suspension in parallel with the arrival of the Long Range Dual Motor variant. However, due to problems in increasing the vehicle’s production rate, the brand was forced to simplify the manufacturing process as much as possible, which meant abandoning the new damping system.
In 2018, a Model 3 Performance with air suspension could be seen being tested on the circuit by Tesla itself, but again, this novelty was never introduced in the range. Elon Musk did not comment on this until the summer of 2019, at which time he stated that “for the moment” Tesla had no plans to introduce an air suspension system in either the Model 3 or the Model Y.
A new suspension component for the Model 3 leaked into Tesla’s parts catalog last month. Now, a Tesla test center employee has posted on Reddit an image of the Model Y’s 12-volt electrical architecture, showing that the Model is primed to equip an air suspension. The post has already been deleted, but several users were able to get a hold of the image before.