Tesla Refreshes Model S, Beefs Up Model X With Larger Battery, Higher Base Price — More Updates

April 12, 20168 years ago Chris Boylan 26 Comments

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While everyone is still talking about the upcoming Model 3, Tesla quietly changed its flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV today with a design refresh and a few upgrades, as well as a slightly higher base price price for both.

Tesla Model S new nose — The Model S now sports a sleek new front end without the grille of its predecessor. Picture courtesy of Tesla Motors.

The Model S, as Kyle already noted, now gets a new front end, similar to the Model X (no more fake grille), but a few other subtle details were slipped in that we didn’t cover earlier. For one, the S gets a slightly higher entry price with the upgrades: $71,500 vs. the previous $70,000. The Model S also gets a new center console, borrowed from the Model X, with integrated phone docking options for iPhones or Android-based phones.

The S also gets the same options list that the Model X had previously, which Kyle discussed in much more detail in the earlier article: the advanced HEPA filter (with Bioweapon Defense Mode), the same interior accent choices, and a new base charger capable of 48 Amp charging (the previous Model S charger was limited to 40 Amps).

model-s-interior-options-orig — The Model S interior accent options are now identical to the Model X, with Dark Ash wood now the default (included) option and Figured Ash available for $750. Picture courtesy of Tesla Motors.

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For those who want to charge faster at home (and at compatible destination chargers), the same 72 Amp upgraded charger option from the Model X is now available for the Model S. This will boost AC charging up to a maximum of 72 Amps. Note that these onboard chargers only affect AC charging from compatible high-amperage charging stations such as Tesla’s High Power Wall Charger (HPWC). The charging option does not affect the ability or speed of Supercharging. The previous “dual charger” option on the Model S which raised charging to a max of 80 Amps is no longer available.

On the Model X, the Design Studio, which was previously available by invitation only to those who had paid a $5,000 deposit, is now open to the public. The biggest change on the Model X is an upgrade to the base level battery. Instead of the previously listed 70D (70 kWh) battery, the Model X now starts out with a 75 kWH battery, Model X 75D. The range has increased from 220 miles between charges for the 70D to 237 Miles on the 75D. The 0–60 time is the same at 6.0 seconds, though the top speed is now listed as 130 MPH (it was previously listed as 140 MPH).

model-x-new-battery-75d — The Model X base price has risen from $80,000 to $83,000. For for that increase, you now get 17 additional miles of range. Picture courtesy of Tesla Motors.

The base price of the Model X has jumped from $80,000 to $83,000. We’re expecting that those early Model X deposit-holders who had previously confirmed a Model X 70D at the earlier price may be grandfathered into that price. According to some TMC forum members, phone calls to their Tesla delivery specialists have confirmed this, but we are attempting to confirm that with Tesla corporate as well. It appears that Tesla has not raised the price on the larger battery versions of the Model X (90D starts at $95,500, P90D at $115,500).

Update (April 13): a Tesla spokesperson has confirmed that those who had already confirmed their orders for the 70D Model X will get the 75D version at no additional cost.

Perhaps the most welcome update for those who have already ordered a Model X (or intend to) is the updated delivery dates: if you order now, Tesla says you can expect a 75D to be delivered as soon as June; a 90D or P90D as early as next month (May, 2016). So, it does look like they are ramping up production of the Model X a bit quicker than expected. The initial delivery estimates on the entry-level 70D model were “late 2016.”

Also new on the Tesla website is the ability to buy a brand new Model S out of dealer inventory. You can still custom order your own, for the same price, but for those who think instant gratification takes too long, you can now drive a brand new Model S right off the lot, as long as you’re willing to take what they have in stock.

To get a peek of the new Model S design and the new options for the Model X, check out their design studios online:

Model S — Design Your Own
Model X — Design Your Own

Have you spotted any other changes that we missed? Let us know in the comments.

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