Tesla Hardware 4.5 Spotted in New Model Y Deliveries, Sparking Fresh Speculation

Tesla appears to have quietly begun installing a new version of its onboard self-driving computer, referred to by enthusiasts as Hardware 4.5 (HW4.5), in recently delivered Model Y vehicles, prompting fresh speculation about an interim autonomy upgrade ahead of the company’s next-generation AI5 chip.

Owners taking delivery of new Model Y units in January 2026 have reported spotting components labeled “AP45” inside the Autopilot hardware compartment, suggesting Tesla may be rolling out revised Full Self-Driving (FSD) computing hardware without any formal announcement.

HW4.5 Showing Up in Recent Model Y Builds

The first sighting of what enthusiasts believe to be Tesla’s HW4.5 hardware came from a new Model Y AWD Premium built at the Fremont factory. The owner shared photos and details showing a component marked “AP45” with part number 2261336-02-A, alongside other subtle physical changes such as a new front camera housing and 16-inch center display.

Other Tesla owners have reported similar findings across different production sites and model variants, including Model Y Performance units built in late 2025. These discoveries suggest that Tesla may already be quietly integrating this updated hardware into its production lines.

What Hardware 4.5 Could Actually Be

Clues about the existence of HW4.5 first emerged in Tesla’s own parts catalog, where a “CAR COMPUTER … PROVISIONED – HARDWARE 4.5” listing appeared, carrying a price similar to previous FSD computers.

Tesla firmware analysts and hackers have also pointed to possible software references to a three-SoC (system-on-chip) architecture, a design that would differ from the dual-SoC layout used in both earlier HW3 and current HW4 self-driving computers. A third SoC could provide higher inference throughput and improved fault tolerance, potentially boosting computational capacity for FSD workloads.

Why This Matters Ahead of AI5

The emergence of HW4.5 may be more than a minor refresh. Industry observers see it as a bridge between today’s Hardware 4 systems and Tesla’s upcoming AI5 chips, which are expected to start production later in 2026. As Tesla’s neural networks increase in size and complexity, an interim hardware boost could give newer vehicles additional headroom before AI5 becomes widely available.

This strategy could allow Tesla to continue improving FSD performance and support advanced neural network processing without waiting for the full AI5 rollout, especially important as the company pushes toward higher levels of autonomous capability.

Speculation and Unanswered Questions

Despite these hardware sightings, Tesla has not made any public announcements regarding Hardware 4.5 or what specific performance gains it might deliver. It’s still unclear whether the revision will unlock new features, improve existing FSD functions, or primarily act as a transitional architecture toward future hardware. Enthusiasts and owners will likely need teardown reports or official documentation to fully understand the implications of HW4.5.

For now, the appearance of “AP45”-labeled hardware in fresh Model Y deliveries continues to fuel conversations in Tesla communities, with owners and analysts alike watching closely for future confirmation from Tesla or further leaks.