When the highly anticipated Tesla Motors Model S electric sedan makes its debut Friday, so will the NVIDIA® Tegra® Visual Computing Module (VCM).        

Based on the same powerful Tegra processor used in smartphones and tablets, the Tegra VCM will power the vehicle's 17-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system -- the largest ever in a passenger car -- as well as its all-digital instrument cluster.       

Tesla Motors is the first company to ship the Tegra VCM, enabling intuitive, interactive, high-resolution visuals inside its vehicles. For drivers, the system provides larger, more readable maps and a beautifully rendered instrument cluster that can be personalized from the multifunction steering wheel.       

The Tegra VCM is a complete computing platform that delivers superb 3D graphics and multimedia capabilities as well as exceptional energy efficiency, a critical feature for all types of cars. The module provides automakers a highly cost-effective way to rapidly incorporate into vehicles the advanced technology customers are using in their consumer devices, but with a focus on safer operation by reducing the inherent driver distraction of handheld devices.       

"To capture the interest of today's consumer, automakers must innovate well beyond the traditional transportation benefits of a car," said Thilo Koslowski, vice president and automotive practice leader at Gartner. "Automakers have to impress drivers with superior in-vehicle connectivity and interface experiences that leverage the best technology innovations available."       

The Tegra VCM features the world's first mobile superchip, which integrates a multicore ARM CPU, an ultra-low-power NVIDIA GeForce® GPU and dedicated audio, video and image processors.       

One Tegra VCM will power the Model S infotainment system, which features a 17-inch touchscreen with a customizable and intuitive user interface for music, phone, navigation, connected services and climate control.       

A second Tegra module will drive the all-digital instrument cluster, which features a high-resolution, 12.3-inch LCD display and advanced 3D graphics that can be personalized based on each driver's preferences.       

"Tesla has created a premium electric vehicle that is raising the bar on value, performance and efficiency while getting people excited about cars again," said J.B. Straubel, chief technology officer at Tesla Motors. "With the power of NVIDIA Tegra, we are able to deliver a visually stunning in-vehicle experience to our customers and put rich content at their fingertips."       

"On the outside, Model S is a stunning blend of beauty, high performance and energy efficiency. On the inside, it's one of the most sophisticated consumer electronics devices ever built," said Dan Vivoli, senior vice president at NVIDIA. "Tesla Motors is at the forefront of innovative automakers that are delivering an enhanced driving experience based on NVIDIA's advanced processors."       

Since forming its automotive business unit in 2004, NVIDIA has shipped processors in or won future designs in more than 20 brands of vehicles across 100-plus models. More information is available at www.nvidia.com/automotive.