Tesla recently upgraded its largest models: the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV. Now their lineup is down to just two versions. The entry level, soberly named “Model S” and “Model X”, is automatically equipped with two electric motors and its price exceeds 100,000 € in France. Both models also exist in a Plaid version, equipped with three electric motors, whose performance seems to want to defy the laws of physics.
However, in the United States, a new entry-level version appeared on the configurator of both models. The new Model S and Model X Standard Range versions are still equipped with two electric motors, unlike some versions of the Model S launched in the past, or the entry-level versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, which are propulsion . However, their performance is slightly worse than the classic Model S and Model X. The 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) thus goes from 3.1 to 3.7 s for the sedan and from 3.8 to 4.4 s for the SUV.
The announced range is 480 to 515 km for the Standard Range Model S, compared to 604 to 652 km for the classic Model S. In France, according to the WLTP cycle, the latter announces a mixed autonomy of 634 km. For the Model X, the autonomy of the new Standard Range version is given for 410 to 433 km, against 531 to 560 km for the classic Model X version (576 km WLTP announced in France).
These new versions make it possible to lower the price of the Model S and Model X by $10,000 in the United States. The sedan in Standard Range version is now displayed from $78,490, against $88,490 for the classic version (€106,490 in France, excluding state aid). For the Model X, the Standard Range version is sold from $88,490, instead of $98,490 for the classic version (€114,490 in France, excluding state aid). A possible marketing of Model S and X Standard Range in France is not announced for the moment, the first American specimens to be delivered as of September.
A simple software clamp
By taking a closer look at the technical data sheet of these new versions, we see that their mass is identical to the classic Model S and Model X, with 2068 kg for the sedan and 2335 kg for the SUV. This could indicate that their battery is unchanged and only suffered a software clamp. This theory was confirmed at Sawyer Merritt and Electrek by Tesla sales people. They also informed them that no paid software update to unlock the full capacity of the battery was planned for the moment, contrary to what had been done for the Model S 60, equipped with a battery pack restrained version of the Model S 75. Case to follow.
This simple software restriction could indicate that Tesla does not have very ambitious sales targets for this new version, while the entry-level Model 3 and Model Y benefit, for example, from specific LFP batteries, making it possible to reduce the costs of production. We remember in particular the famous Model 3 at $35,000 electronically restricted, whose career was voluntarily cut short by Tesla, who preferred to sell versions with higher margins.