Tesla unveils a refreshed Model S with the first major redesign since 2012 The refurbished sedan holds a radically updated interior with a one-of-a –kind steering wheel .
Tesla announced the Model S’s new design
The new Plaid Model S vehicles will be available next month (February) as stated by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Model S has a refreshed exterior, a simplified interior, and an option for a more powerful powertrain that lets the car travel at least 520 miles and go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under two seconds.
Tesla guarantees that Model S with the updated powertrain is the “fastest accelerating production car ever made.” That speed is achieved due to a very small drag coefficient.
This speed is achieved thanks to the new powertrain and heat pump that were developed for Model Y.
Model S’s price starts at $79,990 for a “Long Range” dual-motor version that gets 412 miles of range.
With a more powerful powertrain, “Plaid” starts at $119,000, it can go up to 390 miles, and similar to Model S, go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 2 seconds . The most powerful powertrain of all three, “Plaid+” version with 520 miles starting at $139,000.
Plaid and Plaid Plus versions have top speeds of 200 miles per hour (with the “right tires,” according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, while Long Range tops out at 155 mph.
Tesla says that Plaid versions should be able to outperform the past Model S cars by five-folds the number of quarter-miles.
Model X received major updates as well
Model X’s new upgrade kept almost the same exterior design, yet it includes new features like new landscape dashboard screen, butterfly steering wheel, and rear passenger screen.
The new Model X starts at $89,990 for a Long Range dual-motor spec that has 360 miles of range, a top speed of 155 mph, and a 0–60 time of 3.8 seconds.
Tesla is selling a version of Model X Plaid powertrain for $119,000 that gets 340 miles of range, has a top speed of 163 mph, and can get to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Tesla’s Model X is also getting some small touches on its exterior and interior. However, the SUV’s refresh is not as broad.
Both updated vehicles have an infotainment system that’s powered by a chip capable of 10 teraflops of processing power, allowing passengers to play games with wireless controller support to boot.
However, that tune has began to change once Tesla started trying out a new powertrain in 2019 dubbed “Plaid” — which, much like the “Ludicrous” acceleration mode in Tesla’s cars, is a Spaceballs reference.
Tesla announced that these new versions of Model S and Model X will reach customers in the spring.
The new updates to Model S
Model S with new interior and 520-mile range option and minimal exterior updates
Exterior upgrades: light touches
On the outside, Model S has a new front bumper with slightly different intakes, a tweaked rear diffuser and new 19- and 21-inch wheel designs.
All of the exterior trim is now finished in black to match Model Y. But, as the paint color palette remained the same, white still is the only no-cost option.
The new Model S’s exterior also got another update that includes a standard large glass roof.
Interior upgrades: star of the show
The interior has been completely redesigned.
Driver’s Seat
The wheel is no longer a wheel. Instead it looks like a yoke from a sci-fi movie. There are no stalks, so turn signals, lights and other features are now controlled by touch buttons.
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There’s more carbon fiber covering parts of the dashboard and door panels. Tesla also offers a wood trim option instead of carbon fiber.
The new center console has more storage space and has wireless charging for several devices.
Passenger’s Seat
The rear seats look more sculpted and have a new fold-down armrest with cupholders.
Rear-seat passengers get an 8-inch screen that offers the same infotainment and gaming functions as the main screen.
The Model S has three-zone climate control, a 22-speaker audio system, heated seats all around (and ventilated front seats).
White, black and beige remain the only interior color options.
Tesla’s cars are safe both for the environment and for the passengers. What more could the company do to prove that it’s the best company in the market?
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