Tesla Model S “Refresh” spotted with wide Plaid-style body and new wheels near the seat

A Tesla Model S “Refresh” with a widebody, updated rear diffuser and new wheels were spotted near the company’s headquarters in Silicon Valley on New Years Day.

Photos of a blue Model S with chrome accents and a noticeably wider stance could provide further confirmation that Tesla’s flagship sedan is on track for its long-awaited design refresh which includes Tesla’s three-engine three-engine powertrain.

Ryan Levenson of the Youtube channel Kilowatts spotted the unique Model S with maker’s plates early Friday afternoon near the intersection of Arastradero Road and Purissima Road in Palo Alto, Calif.

Tesla Model S update (Photo: Ryan Levenson of Kilowatts)

Photo credit: Kilowatts

This is the first known sighting of a Model S with factory bodywork on public roads since the company’s September 2020 teasing of a Plaid Model S.

Arastradero Road, near Tesla’s headquarters, is no stranger to the sight of Tesla alpha vehicles and prototypes, and a road that has become synonymous with an unofficial test bed for new vehicles and the development of autopilots. .

In addition to the matte black window trim seen on the Model S Refresh, which further suggests that Tesla will completely remove the chrome trim and likely upgrade future versions of its Model X SUV with a similar “chrome removal”, new wheels and revised headlights were also spotted.

The Model S’s front fascia design changes appeared minimal in the photos Teslarati saw. Although it is not clear whether Tesla will make any significant updates to the design of the front bumper (as it did in 2016 when the Model S’s “nose” was replaced) when production of The three-engine Model S will start this year, observations of the race – The already-ready Model S from the Nürburgring would suggest that additional cooling vents and a slightly more aggressive bottom lip would be Major cosmetic updates.

Delivery of Tesla’s Model S with the Tri Motor Plaid powertrain is expected to begin in late 2021, starting at $ 139,990. According to the manufacturer, Tesla Model S Plaid will be capable of a range of over 520 miles and will perform from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 2 seconds.

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