The new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y may soon get an improved steering wheel (not the Model S yoke), but lose their paddle shifters and other handy controls mounted below the steering wheel, Carscoops reports quoting an inside source within the company.
Both the 3 and the Y now have one paddle shifter at each side of the steering column. The left one switches turn indicators, window wipers and high beams, while the right one handles gear switches and certain electronic system functions.
According to the source quoted, some of these functions will be reassigned to touch-sensitive buttons on a new steering wheel, while others will travel all the way to the center touchscreen. For instance, switching all recent Model S cars between forward and reverse is only possible using a dedicated slider on the central display.
We are also told that the controversial yoke-shaped wheel the Model S facelift brought to the market will not be installed on the Model 3 or Model Y anytime soon. The reasons for this decision are unknown, but we can imagine Tesla cutting costs or wishing to distance its premium models from the more affordable ones.