Tesla Model S refresh includes radical steering yoke, 520 mile range

During his fourth quarter results announcement On Wednesday, Tesla surprised everyone by unveiling the refresh of its Model S sedan (The Model X SUV also received major updates.) On the exterior, the Model S has a new front bumper with slightly different air intakes, a modified rear diffuser, and new 19 wheel designs. and 21 inches. All exterior trim is now finished in black to match the Model Y, but the paint color scheme remains the same with white being the only free option.

The revamped interior is the star of the show, however. It has been completely redesigned, marking the first major update to the Model S since its debut in 2012. There is a large 17-inch center screen much like that of the Model 3 and Model Y, but the focus has changed. – it’s rather horizontal. of the portrait. The S also retains a cluster of 12.3-inch digital gauges in front of the driver. Tesla says the new center display is essentially a gaming computer with 10 teraflops of processing power, and released images show it runs the popular fantasy RPG game Witcher 3.

The most radical is the new steering wheel. It’s not exactly a wheel anymore, but looking like a yoke straight out of Star Wars or Knight Rider. There are also no rods, which means turn signals, lights and other typical features are now controlled by tactile buttons on the ‘wheel’.

There is more carbon fiber or wood trim covering parts of the dashboard and door panels, and the door cards have been redesigned and appear to provide much-needed additional storage space. The new center console also has more storage space and looks a lot nicer, and it has wireless charging for multiple devices. The rear seats are more sculpted and have a new folding armrest with cup holders. Rear passengers get an 8-inch screen that offers the same infotainment and gaming features as the main screen, and it even works with wireless game controllers. Model S has three-zone climate control, a 22-speaker audio system, all-around heated seats (and ventilated front seats), ambient lighting and a standard glass roof. White, black and beige remain the only interior color options.

The Model S is now available in three different specifications. The long-range version at $ 79,990 has two motors and all-wheel drive, with Tesla reporting a time of 3.1 seconds from 0-60 mph, a top speed of 155 mph, and a range of 412 miles. The $ 119,990 Plaid gains a third motor, “carbon sleeve rotors” and torque vectoring. The Plaid has an output of 1020 horsepower and has a 0-60 time of 2.0 seconds (Tesla technically said 1.99 seconds), a top speed of 200 mph and a range of 390 miles.

Then there is the $ 139,990 Plaid More, which is the real big deal. Tesla says it has over 1,100 horsepower and will hit 60 mph in under 2 seconds. It also boasts a quarter-mile time of less than 9 seconds, a top speed of 200 mph and a range of over 520 miles. Tesla also says Model S is now the most aerodynamic production car in the world, a claim likely made by the Plaid Plus model

The only option besides color, trims and wheels is Full range of Tesla driver assistance systems, which costs $ 10,000. (Tesla’s base autopilot setup is standard.) The updated Model S is available to order now, with Tesla saying estimated deliveries for the Long Range and Plaid models will begin in March. If you want the Plaid Plus model, you wait until the end of 2021.