Tesla has revealed that it will add radio functionality to vehicles equipped with its MCU2 retrofitted infotainment system.
A little while back, Tesla started offering owners of its earlier Model S and Model X the opportunity to upgrade their infotainment systems for the company’s latest setup, known as the MCU2. The upgrade costs $2,500 and gives owners access to Tesla’s newest features, including the Tesla Theater that offers video streaming through YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Twitch, as well as the Tesla Arcade. It also adds TeslaCam and Sentry Model.
Bizarrely, this retrofit removed the AM, FM, and Sirius XM radio, meaning owners would be forced to use internet radio or stream their music.
Read More: Tesla Starts Offering $2,500 Infotainment Upgrade For Older Model S And Model X Vehicles
On the back of complaints from customers, Tesla recently announced that it will bring back radio features, although it does cost $500. That means early Model S and Model X owners will need to cough up $3,000 for the MCU2 infotainment upgrade with radio, Electrek reports.
“The purchase and installation of the Radio Upgrade will be available for vehicles that have already undergone Infotainment Upgrade,” Tesla wrote. “For vehicles that have not yet undergone an Infotainment Upgrade, we recommend having both the Infotainment Upgrade and Radio Upgrade installation performed at the same time. The Radio Upgrade costs an additional $500 plus applicable tax, and there is no difference in price if you have the Radio Upgrade and Infotainment Upgrade installed separately or together.”
While we’re sure many Tesla owners prefer streaming their own music, people still listen to the radio and if you’re in a location without cell service, it could be the only form of entertainment available. In many countries, the radio is also used in natural disasters as an alert system.
