2017 Tesla Model S
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Tesla Model S
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Year:2017
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0-60 time:5.5 sec.
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Top Speed:140 mph
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Price:71500
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The Model S gets a nose job to freshen things up a bit
Tesla discontinued the Roadster, and in quick succession, released its new Model S. Since then, the Model S has become widely popular and sales were good enough that Tesla has extended its offering of vehicles, now including the Model X and the soon-to-be-released Tesla Model 3. At first, the Model S sedan came only in rear-wheel drive and featured an extended range 265 miles. Not that it wasn’t a bad initial package – Tesla did effective set the standard for all-electric vehicles, and to date, it’s still the best all-electric model you can get.
Over the past few years, the Model S has seen several updates, including a new front motor that made all-wheel-drive variants available, plus Autopilot, and Ludicrous mode. In that time frame, the range has also been increased up to 295 miles for properly equipped models. The one thing that hasn’t changed since the car’s introduction, however, is the body style. But now as we approach the 2017 model year, Tesla has finally given the Model S a facelift.
Before you get to overwhelmed with excitement, be warned that the facelift is pretty minor. It was well needed, though, and the front end does sport a new look. Join me for an in-depth look at the Tesla Model S and what it brings to the table as Tesla ushers in the 2017 model year.
Update 06/09/2016: Tesla has announced that it is taking a step backward and offering a more affordable version of the Model S in 60 and 60D form. Check out the updates in our Drivetrain and Prices sections below for all the details.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Tesla Model S.
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Tesla’s Sales Could Sky Rocket If This New GREEN Act Is Passed By The Biden Administration
Electrification is happening whether you like it or not, but the government is trying to make the deal sweeter for you. In the States, there is a federal tax credit of $7,500 capped for 200,000 EVs for every automaker. Until now, Tesla and GM have surpassed that cap and you can’t get the credit if you purchase EVs from this brand. However, a new Bill from the Biden Administration could change that.
Tesla Model S vs. A 620HP BMW 3 Series E46 - Can Electricity Prove Superior?
Since Electric vehicles stormed the car market, many fans of the internal combustion engine have been challenging what is expected to eventually become the mainstream propulsion for future vehicles. Another rivalry between electricity and coal fuel comes courtesy of the official YouTube channel of the Hoonigans, where things are all about…well, hooning.
Tesla Lost More Than $1,700 For Every Car Delivered In 2020
Automakers are in business to make money. This statement holds true for everyone from Mercedes-AMG to Ford, Chevy, and even Tesla. However, everything isn’t always peachy in the automotive economy, and today we’re here to talk about how Tesla is a prime example of that. To make a long story short, Tesla would have posted a major loss – to the tune of more than $800 million – if it wasn’t for a massive amount of regulatory credits. 2020 might have worked out for Tesla on paper, but its current business model won’t keep it from going under in the long run. How do I know? Well, Telsa actually lost $1,759 for every car it delivered in 2020.
The New Tesla Model S’ Yoke-Like Half Steering Wheel Probably Isn’t Going To Happen
Last week’s biggest news came from yours truly Tesla, who announced that the Model S and X will be going under the scalpel for much-needed nip and tuck. The highlight of said nip and tuck was the yoke-style steering wheel which is certainly an enticing feature for Tesla die-hards and at the same time, something that might not see fruition.
The Refreshed 2021 Tesla Model S Is One Step Closer to Spaceship Status
When Tesla shut down production on the Model X and S lines in December 2020, rumors started swirling that the company is looking to revamp its two EVs. This time, the rumors were true and here we are looking at the refreshed Model S and its new yoke-style steering wheel.
2021 Tesla Model S Convertible By Ares Design
Custom-made electric vehicles are a trend that’s slowly picking up. They aren’t as popular as internal combustion-engined cars for now since there aren’t a lot of moving parts in EVs that you can play around with. We’ve seen some tuners crack the system to unleash more power for a much cheaper price than the company offers. Apart from playing with the mechanicals, some aftermarket companies have worked on the body of EVs as well. From equipping it body kits and turning them into station wagons, we’ve seen it all already.
Now, however, a company called Ares Designs has transformed a Tesla Model S into a convertible. This isn’t the first time we’re seeing a convertible Tesla, but it is arguably the cleanest one we’ve seen.
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Can The Tesla Model S Really Take Down the Aston Martin DBS In A Drag Race?
Tesla has taken down cars from many high-end brands, but there aren’t too many instances where it has gone up against Aston Martin. Courtesy of AutoTrader, we have a face-off between the two companies. Representing Tesla is the Model S Performance, and from Aston Martin’s corner, we have the DBS Superleggera Volante. The latter is in the same league as the McLaren 720S and Ferrari 488, so this will make for an interesting battle.
The Tesla Model S and Model X Might Get Refreshed After All
While Tesla keeps rolling out over-the-air updates frequently, it has never really refreshed the Model S and the Model X. The Model 3 is an exception, but even that didn’t come with any major changes. There have been no real facelifts so far, no new generations; just software updates. It didn’t matter until now because none of its products had real competition, but it looks like times are changing and Tesla is feeling the heat.
According to Electrek, Tesla is planning to refresh the Model S and the Model X after all. The production lines for these two models have been shut down longer than expected, thus hinting at a design refresh. High time!
This V-8 Tesla Swap Came Together Quite Nicely
In case you missed it, Rich Rebuilds started a Tesla V-8 swap sometime back and uploaded a video about the same. What makes this swap unique is that people have converted internal combustion-engined cars to EVs, but not the other way around. Some folks have attempted it, but none have managed to reach completion. Rich embarked on the same journey, but he has managed to successfully plonk a V-8 engine under the hood (or the frunk, if you’re a stickler for terminologies) of the Tesla.
The World’s First V-8-Swapped Tesla Model S Is In The Works
We’ve seen a lot of internal combustion-engined cars converted to electric cars. It isn’t as complicated as going the other way round. In fact, no one has successfully managed to convert an EV to a fuel-powered vehicle ever… until now. Rich Rebuilds, the YouTuber known to work on discarded, damaged Teslas, is here with a ridiculous project that no one has ever finished – plonking an internal combustion engine in a Tesla. But, Rich is on the verge of achieving it by swapping the electric powertrain with a V-8 engine.
Watch in Amazement As a Tesla Model S Fights It Out With a Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Since the dawn of electric vehicles, all the records set by internal combustion-engined supercars and hypercars are in danger. The same applies to drag races and quarter-mile runs, too. We’ve seen numerous races where EVs have obliterated some of the most beloved fuel-powered counterparts.
Here’s another race where a V-10 takes on a dual-motor setup. We’re talking about the Lamborghini Huracan Performante and the Tesla Model S. Both the cars are closely matched in terms of performance, but the race wasn’t as close as expected. Will the Italian bull touch the finish line first, or will the silent assassin prevail?
Tesla Cars Might Be Getting Cheaper, But Supercharging Is Getting More Expensive
Tesla’s pricing for its models is going down, but the automaker is making up from those prospective losses by raising the prices for using its Supercharger network. That appears to be the case after a report from the Aussie website CarExpert indicated that charging at any of Tesla’s 35 Supercharger stations in the Land Down Under will now cost AUD0.52 (USD0.37) per kilowatt-hour. That’s an increase from the AUD0.42/kWh (USD0.30) that Tesla was charging as recently as September. Since 2017, the cost of charging a Tesla in Australia has gone up by as much as 23 percent, and with Tesla’s model price cuts continuing, don’t expect the cost of using the Supercharger network to flatten out, either.
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You Probably Can’t Take the Tesla Model S Plaid To The Track
With what we’re guessing to be a 130-kWh battery, 1,100 horsepower, and a 0-60 mph sprint of less than two seconds, the Tesla Model S Plaid is – probably – the most extreme production car of the year. It is at least three-tenths of a second faster than the Model S performance and nearly two seconds quicker than the base Long Range Plus model. Add in the 200-mph top speed, and you have the most impressive electric vehicle made thus far and something that could be quite dangerous if left in the wrong hands, and that’s kind of what we’re here to talk about today.
The Tesla Model S Plaid Is Astronomically Expensive
The highly anticipated Plaid version of the Tesla Model S was unveiled by Elon Murk at the company’s Battery Day event on September 20. Musk announced the car’s specs, and since then, the range-topping version was added to the Model S’ online configurator. The Model S Plaid is mighty impressive when it comes to performance and range, but it’s also incredibly expensive, costing twice as much as the Long Range model and some $45,000 more than the Performance version. It’s also the only Model S that fetches more than $100,000 before options.
Tesla Driver in Canada Earns Criminal Charges After Sleeping With Autopilot Engaged
A strange incident happened in Canada recently involving a couple of people, two seats that were “fully reclined,” and a Tesla Model S that was driving 140 km/h (87 mph) on Autopilot. As a report from Canada’s federal police goes, a Tesla Model S driver was cited for a dangerous driving charge after he was caught sleeping with his seat “fully reclined” as his Model S was running at high speeds on one of the country’s highways. The Alberta RCMP was alerted of the incident by a commuter who noticed that both front seats were completely reclined, and both occupants appeared to be sleeping. Responding officers pursued the self-driving electric sedan until it stopped. In addition to the dangerous driving charge, the driver also received a speeding ticket for deciding to take a nap while he was on the road. As stories of Tesla’s Autopilot systems go, this one ranks up there as one of the most surreal incidences involving Tesla’s self-driving technology. Fortunately, the driver’s recklessness didn’t result in any car crashes or accidents, only a few punishments for his unparalleled recklessness and inanity.
How Much Does a Tesla Cost?
Tesla is, without question, one of the most popular automakers today. The California-based electric car company boasts a sexy — no pun intended — lineup of EVs, ranging from the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. It also has several models in the pipeline, including the Cybertruck, Semi, and the new Roadster. Tesla’s appeal as a car brand is palpable in the streets. You see one, and your eyes immediately gravitate towards the vehicle, as if it’s asking why you haven’t bought a Tesla yet. There, though, lies the rub. See Tesla’s are expensive. The entry-level Model 3 starts at $37,990, but that’s without the myriad of options, accessories, and add-ons that you’re going to be compelled to buy to make the ownership experience worth it. Ultimately, you’re going to have to spend at least $50,000 to get a loaded Tesla Model 3, and that price hits six figures when you opt for the Model S and Model X. So, how much does a Tesla cost when you factor in all the options that are available to a specific model? We took a look at each model that’s out on the market and those that have yet to arrive to give you a clearer picture of how you have to spend.
Shaq and the Tesla Model S - Not a Match Made in Heaven
Shaquille O’Neal needs no introduction. The four-time NBA champion is one of the most renowned and celebrated basketball players of all time. As a sports fan, you will surely be amazed by his career stats. But, as an automotive nut – whether you care to admit or not – you’d have wondered how can this man get into cars.
His tall stature means he can’t enjoy the low seating and the not-so-big dimensions of any hot hatch or sedan. And, the Tesla Model S, despite its spacious interior, is no exception. A TikTok video posted by Anthony C.Hall proves exactly that. After finally making his way inside, Shaq had a piece of advice for Tesla’s CEO - “Elon, you wanna make a big boy Tesla?”
Here’s Why You Should and Shouldn’t Buy a Tesla
There’s no denying that Tesla has changed the face of the EV industry. The company has forced other automakers to take this segment seriously. However, Tesla has the most loyal and most critical followers when compared to other brands. On one hand, you have people praising the brand and putting it on the pedestal, on the other you have people criticizing it in the worst way possible. But whether you like it or hate it, you can’t ignore it.
Given all the stuff you hear about Tesla, you might be confused about whether to opt for one or not if you’re out there to buy a car or an SUV. Well, we’re giving you five reasons each on why you should buy a Tesla and why you shouldn’t.
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Cheetah Stance Has Brought the Tesla Model S In Line With the Porsche Taycan
The Model S is the ultimate performer in Tesla’s lineup. Thanks to Tesla’s constant over-the-air updates, the EV is breaking barriers and challenging cars that are known to be hardcore performance cars. It is one of the quickest cars even in the EV segment, but it was still behind the much-more expensive Porsche Taycan. The difference wasn’t a lot though, and Tesla has managed to come in line with the German, courtesy of the Cheetah Stance. Point – Tesla.
S3XY Drag Race Putting the Model 3 Up Against the Model X, Model Y, and Model S
We’ve already seen various Teslas beat the many of the internal-combustion engine supercars with utmost ease. So, it’s not wrong to say that these silent machines are explosive beasts on a drag strip. But, how do they perform when pitted against each other? Throttle House brought the S3XY range – Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y together on a drag strip to see where each model stands within the family. Let the games begin!
A New Evidence-Lacking Report Suggests Tesla Has Conspired to Hide Fire-Causing Battery Problems
An article on Business Insider has hit the surface suggesting that when Tesla rolled out the Model S from its Fremont factory back in 2012, it knew about a potential design flaw that could lead to battery packs catching fire.
The author hasn’t provided evidence for the same, but if true, this is a serious issue that could bring Tesla under scrutiny and hurt its credibility to a large extent.
Tesla Model S Officially Becomes The First EV To Boast A 400-Plus Mile Range
Tesla now holds the bragging rights to be the first EV automaker to offer a 400-plus mile range on the Model S. Musk had already announced this during the first quarter’s earnings call earlier this year.
During this call, he had claimed that the Tesla Model S has achieved an official 400-mile range as per EPA ratings, but it wasn’t made official due to the agency’s fault. After a few rounds of blame-game and mud-slinging, Tesla has finally won the battle and announced the result on Twitter and updated the Model S’ official page with an EPA rating of 402 miles. Elon Musk must be a happy man now.
Tesla Slashes Prices For Model S, Model 3, and Model X
Tesla has reduced the prices of its three most popular models in what seems to be an attempt to revive demand and sales. Riding on the back of a fairly successful quarter, Tesla is looking to repeat the feat at a time when many automakers are even struggling to break even.
The electric automaker has lowered the price of the Model 3 by $2,000, the Model S and Model X by $5,000. The Model Y doesn’t get a price cut, which makes sense considering it’s a newly-launched product.
Tesla Model S Performance With The ’Cheetah Stance’ Sets A New Quarter-Mile Record
Tesla updated its Launch Mode recently and even introduced the ‘Cheetah Stance’ on the Model S and the Model X. The company sent out over-the-air updates for the same, but before it could be tested widely in the real world, the pandemic brought everything to a halt.
Now that things are slowly opening up, we have the first result in. A Model S Performance set a new quarter-mile record thanks to this update. The car in question completed the sprint in 10.45 seconds. How cool is that?
Tesla Model S Could Become The First Car To Have An EPA-Rated Range Of Over 400 Miles
Elon Musk surprised many people by announcing a profitable first quarter amid the pandemic. During this call, he also claimed that the Tesla Model S has achieved an official 400-mile range as per EPA ratings, but it wasn’t made official due to a fault during testing. Currently, the Model S Long Range Plus is rated at 391 miles, but Musk says as soon testing opens, the Model S will be tested again and it will achieve a rating of over 400 miles.
Did You Know That All Of Tesla’s Products Are Acronymized To Spell SEXY CARS?
Back in February this year, Tesla took part in the Scaled Machine Learning Conference. Tesla’s Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence Andrej Karpathy gave a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence for full self driving.
While the whole presentation is informative and throws light on Tesla’s scaling machine learning models, data algorithms, and infrastructure, there was one particular slide that caught our attention. This showed the whole Tesla range consisting of eight products and the font used to depict them spells out as SEXY CARS. Is this a mere coincidence or an intentional wordplay?
The Model S Performance Now Does a 2.3-Second Sprint to 60 MPH
Tesla Model S was fast, and now it’s gotten even faster. The company has quietly updated the Raven-equipped Model S Performance’s 0-60 mph figures on its website from 2.5 seconds to 2.3 seconds.
The automaker makes changes official on its website only once they have updated the product. Electrek reports that Tesla sent out an e-mail to Model S Performance owners intimating them about this update. This means the cars that will be sold from now on – and perhaps even examples from the previous months – will boast faster acceleration.
The Man Behind the Tesla Model S Says the Lucid Air Sedan is Better
Peter Rawlinson has worked for many big automotive companies in his career. He has worked as the Principal Engineer at Jaguar, Chief Engineer of Advanced Engineering at Lotus, and most recently, as the Chief Engineer who made the Tesla Model S what it is today. Presently, he’s associated with Lucid where he looks after the same stuff along with looking after the company as the CEO and CTO.
MotorTrend spoke to him recently about his time at Tesla and his current projects, and Rawlinson went on to say that his upcoming sedan, the Lucid Air, is better than the Tesla Model S. Given the man’s stellar reputation and the work he’s done in the past, will the Air dethrone Tesla and be the new premium electric sedan?
Here’s How to Put A Bigger Motor Into A Tesla Model S 75D
Rich Rebuilds is famous for its EV mods and for fixing flood-affected Teslas. For his most recent project, he converted a friend’s Model S 75D into a P100DL. His friend wanted to trade in his 75D for a P100DL, but the options were pretty expensive.
That’s when he reached out to Rich and asked him to convert the present car to a much more powerful and efficient one. All said and done, this conversion was successful and it cost him one third of the price of a new P100D altogether.
You Will Soon Be Able To Perfectly Launch Your Tesla With The "Cheetah Stance"
Musk had announced last year that the Cybertruck will be Tesla’s last new product in the near future. This year, the automaker will look to work on technologies and other such stuff. Planning for the production of the Cybertruck could’ve also been one of the reasons. That said, Tesla has been proactive in rolling out new features and tech on its cars lately. It recently revealed a new exciting Track Package and Track Mode V2 for the Model 3 Performance. Now, Tesla is working on something called the “Cheetah Stance” that will help the driver get the perfect launch. Will this be rolled out to the existing cars as an update, too?
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2021 BMW i4 vs 2020 Tesla Model S
BMW finally revealed the BMW i4, digitally, at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show. Although it was a concept, it previewed what we can expect from the production version that slated to launch in 2021. To put it simply, the i4 will essentially be a 4 Series GT with an electric powertrain. From what we know so far, the i4 seems to be a strong competitor, but does it have enough to go up against the Tesla Model S? Let’s compare them both and see what the differences between the Tesla Model S and BMW i4 are, and why those differences matter.
Tesla Model S and Model X Long Range Plus - What You Need to Know
Earlier this year, Musk said that Tesla will focus on its technologies instead of rolling out new products, and it looks like we’re already seeing glimpses of it. Tesla updated the Model S and Model X offerings and now offer better-than-before range figures.
The Model S now delivers an estimated EPA range of 390 miles on a single charge, whereas the Model X delivers 351 miles. This is an upgrade of 17 and 23 miles respectively over the previous update. Well, Musk suggested that the Model S will soon deliver over 400 miles of range, so, this is a good start, to say the least.
Tesla’s Stock Price Surged By 20 Percent In A Single Day
In a marketplace where companies are finding it hard to compete against one another to maintain steadiness and consistency, Tesla is in a league of its own. The Musk-led company’s stock shot up by 20 percent in a single day, which happens to be its biggest gain in one day since 2013.
The spike happened courtesy of Panasonic’s earnings in its U.S. battery business with Tesla. Tesla stocks are trading at $780 at the time of writing. To put things into perspective, TSLA shares traded at $354 the day the Cybertruck was launched in November, and in just over two months, the prices have more than doubled. Guess it’s time to invest in Tesla if you haven’t already.
Tesla News Roundup For The Week of Jan 6, 2019
There is always something new happening in the world of Tesla. This year, we won’t be seeing any new products from the company, but instead, they will be focusing on expanding their technology base. Tesla is rolling out numerous over-the-air updates that are keeping the Tesla owners and enthusiasts quite interested all the time. Not to mention, the products also remain fresh this way, thus giving Musk and his company some breathing room from developing new products. Here are the major updates from Tesla this week.
Tesla Delays Some U.S. Deliveries; Costing the Unfortunate $1,875 in the Process
Tesla and controversies go hand-in-hand and here’s some more controversy from Musk’s company. Tesla has pushed some of the deliveries of its cars that were originally scheduled to be deliver this year to next year, thus costing many owners a federal tax credit of $1,875.
During every financial quarter, Tesla tried to push out as many cars as possible to showcase better results, but this time, even the customers were in a rush to take deliveries up to the 31st of December to avail the tax credit. However, Electrek says that several U.S. buyers were asked to either take deliveries early next year without the credit or cancel their orders. Well, it’s clearly not a good situation to be in.
High-Mileage Tesla Model S P100D Matches Wits With Almost-New Tesla Model 3 Performance
On the surface, racing a Tesla Model S P100D against a Tesla Model 3 Performance has all the makings of a lopsided affair. The Model S P100D is vastly more powerful than the Model 3 Performance. But the specifics of this particular race that YouTube channel DragTimes organized between the two Teslas aren’t normal, specifically as it relates to the age of the two models. The Model 3 Performance is an almost brand-new model, but the Model S P100D is a three-year-old model with 96,000 miles in its odometer. Do the Model S P100D’s age and high mileage have an effect on its performance capabilities relative to the almost brand-new Model 3 Performance? DragTimes tried to find out and the results are interesting, to say the least.
Hacker Uncovers a Huge List of Video Streaming Apps Coming to Tesla Cars, Including HBO and Comedy Central
A variety of entertainment options could be headed to Tesla’s in-car entertainment system after a hacker discovered assets within the automaker’s operating system. These assets were identified as several new streaming apps, including HBO, Twitch, Comedy Central, and even Chinese video hosting service YouKu.
Though no confirmation has been given on Tesla’s plans for these assets, their existence within the company’s operating system suggests that Tesla is considering adding these services in some future version of its software, provided that it has secured agreements with the companies that own these streaming services.
Tesla’s "Plaid Mode" T-Shirt is Actually Pretty Cool
Tesla’s ability to monetize just about anything under the sun is back in the news. As if flamethrowers, tequilas, and branded hats aren’t enough, the Tesla is now offering a “Plaid Mode” t-shirt to commemorate the arrival of the new range-topping version of the Model S. The shirt, which is literally available in Tesla’s online shop was designed to, according to the company, “celebrate Tesla’s incredible performance mode.” It’s made from 100% cotton, and, apparently, it’s also the “next best thing to riding shotgun at the Nurburgring.” The Tesla “Plaid Mode” t-shirt is available for $35 at sizes ranging from “XS” to “XXL.” At this point, if you haven’t bought one yet, we don’t know what you’re waiting for.
How Big is the Battery In the Tesla Model S and Model X Plaid?
The Tesla Model S Plaid tore around Laguna Seca in just 1:36.555 and is slated to be the fastest and most powerful version of the Tesla Model S, effectively dethroning the Model S P100D. The Model X will also get the same treatment and, while we know the Model S and Model X Plaid models will be more powerful – and faster – we’ve been left in the dark in terms of battery size, at least until now, as Elon Musk has confirmed that Plaid models will, in fact, feature a larger battery. In fact, they will sort the largest battery to ever grace Tesla’s lineup.
TopGear Drag Races the Tesla Model S Against the Porsche Taycan But the Results Are Controversial
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the sort of battle that has the potential to change the EV segment forever. So far, Tesla’s viciously quick Model S has been kicking supercars and muscle cars to the curb in drag races around the world to the delight of Elon Musk’s fanbase. However, it looks like the electric sedan has met its match and then some in the squeaky-new Porsche Taycan. TopGear took the two EVs out for a spin that culminated with both a drag race and a top speed run on the Autobahn. Let’s see how that went, shall we?
Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla Model S
After years of promises, teasers, and concept cars, Porsche finally unveiled the Taycan. A major turning point in the company’s history, the Taycan is the first Porsche with an all-electric drivetrain. What’s more, the Taycan is an EV of the high performance variety, so it goes against one of the most popular electric vehicles on the market, the Tesla Model S. A strong seller in the United States and a market leader in some European countries, the Model S is tough to beat. The big question is whether the Taycan has what it takes to give the Model S a run for its money and that’s exactly what we will find out in the comparison below.
Tesla Model S Plaid - Everything We Know
If you’ve ever wondered about the etymology of Tesla’s Ludicrous Speed upgrade for the Model S, look no further than Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs, the parody of the Star Wars movie franchise that was released back in 1988. “Ludicrous Speed,” as it was called, was a unit of speed that traveled faster than “Light Speed” and “Ridiculous Speed.” It also opened the door for the next fastest form of speed in outer space, referred to only as “Plaid.” All of this is relevant only in Tesla’s world because of the upcoming arrival of the Model S Plaid. This is everything we know about it.
Who’s Responsible If a Tesla On Smart Summon Hits You or Your Car?
I saw an article posted by another outlet just the other day that was titled “idiots are trying to run themselves over with Their Own Tesla’s.” Like most people, I didn’t really read the article – I eventually did, and it isn’t much of an article – however, with all the dumb challenges going on these days (dumb kids eating tide pods, I’m looking at you) I found it very easily to believe people are out there jumping in front of their Tesla on Smart Summon, just to see if it will stop. As it turns out, there aren’t as many cases as I would have expected, and I’m sure they’re coming at some point, but there is one “homemade” test that we’ve posted below. Not surprisingly, the Smart Summon feature is far from perfect. This raises another question in my mind, though: Who the hell is responsible in accidents involving Tesla Smart Summon?
Tesla has a different view of what “having fun in a car” should mean. Don’t get us wrong, but for the vast majority of gearheads out there, that’s synonymous to actually driving the car and occasionally taking it to the limit. Call us old fashioned, but we don’t see a point in offering your customers the likes of in-car gaming and in-car karaoke since we’re still far, far away from Level 5 autonomous driving. No, Tesla’s Autopilot isn’t that.
As usual, Tesla will deliver the update through its over-the-air system this week, but before you get it, here’s what you should look for. For a better grasp, we’ve grouped the new features based on their purpose.
Tesla Claims the Model S Can Lap the Nurburgring in 7:05 - After Not Posting an Official Time
The brewing rivalry between Tesla and Porsche has taken another turn after the California-based electric carmaker went to the Nurburgring for the very first time…and left without actually posting a time. But that’s not stopping Tesla from puffing its chest, saying that the triple-motor Model S “Plaid Mode” can clock a lap time of 7:20.
Even more brazen, Tesla’s calling yet another shot, claiming that “with some improvements,” the Model S can achieve a lap time of 7:05 when the automaker returns to the ‘Ring next month. Tesla didn’t specifically say when it plans to return in October, but it will be interesting to see what it does when it comes back to the Nurburgring. Judging by its first foray to the world’s most famous race track, Tesla claims to have done a lot without actually doing, well, a lot.
The Tesla Model S Plaid May Have Beaten the Taycan Around the Nurburgring
Elon Musk has had a tooth to pick with Porsche and more specifically the Taycan EV ever since before Stuttgart’s first-ever electric sports had the chance to make its online debut. But now, the battle has moved to the Nurburgring, where a heavily-modded Tesla Model S reportedly beat the Taycan’s (which was a pre-production prototype, to be clear) lap time set earlier this summer.
Here’s That Video of the Tesla Model S Tearing Up Laguna Seca - Is Another Record Attempt Coming?
Tesla’s back making claims again, only this time, the California-based electric car maker is planting its flag at Laguna Seca after claiming the four-door lap record around the race track with a time of 1:36.6. While the lap time is impressive, it doesn’t hold much weight in the eyes of the public, largely because it wasn’t set during a sanctioned event and in the presence of an officiating body that would validate the lap time.
That said, Tesla’s decision to go to Laguna Seca to set a lap time, not to mention sightings of a different Model S at the Nurburgring, has people asking if these sightings are precursors to real sanctioned time laps in the future. Knowing Elon Musk, don’t discount that from actually happening.
The Porsche Taycan Is Cool and All, But It’s Not as Quick as the Tesla Model S
The highly anticipated Porsche Taycan made its global debut ahead of the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Essentially a competitor for the popular Tesla Model S, the Taycan signals the beginning of a fierce battle in the high-performance electric car segment. And needless to say, the Taycan looks like it has what it takes to give the Model S a run for its money. On the other hand, Porsche’s EV isn’t as quick as the American sedan, which is a letdown for performance enthusiasts.
Elon Musk Says No to Refreshing the Tesla Model S and Model X - Is This a Big Mistake?
Tesla has no plans to refresh the Model S and Model X, echoing CEO Elon Musk’s position regarding the issue. Instead, a series of “minor ongoing changes” are expected to come for both models. This might be disappointing news to owners of either the Model S or Model X, but this isn’t anything new for the automaker, which has stood by its CEO’s stance that “Tesla doesn’t do refreshes,” or at the very least not in the traditional sense that most automakers do. It’s a unique position Tesla has taken, particularly now for both Model S and Model X models that have suffered in the sales department as more customers turn their collective attention towards the far more affordable Model 3. Is it a mistake on Tesla’s part, or is all of this a matter of semantics since most of the updates that both the Model S and Model X can be considered “refreshes” in their own right?
Outside of all the negative publicity from Tesla drivers being idiots and blaming Tesla for their own stupidity, and the recent onslaught of Tesla fires lately, it’s hard to remember that cars like the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X are some of the safest cars on the road. But, the truth is that they are. Their crash test ratings are amazing, and the Model X takes a miracle to flip over. Be this as it may, you never really know how safe a car is until it’s put to the test in the real world. This video that you’re about to watch proves exactly that.
This video took place inside the Barcelona tunnel in Spain just last week, and it shows a grey station wagon drift out of its lane, clip a black compact car, then head on the Tesla Model S. As far as to why the wagon drifted from its lane, we’re completely unsure, but we’ve found out that the driver of the station wagon was fatally injured. That in itself makes it all the more amazing that the driver of the Model S, as seen just a couple of seconds after the crash, walks away practically unscathed. The crash was so bad that the station wagon’s engine was even thrown from the car.
Check out the video below to and prepare yourself for a rather scary-looking accident.
Model S lights up in Shanghai. Tesla said that investigations are already started.
Since 2013 there have been at least 14 instances of Tesla cars catching fire, the majority occurring after a crash. On April 21, late Sunday evening Shanghai local time, users of Weibo, the Chinese social media app equivalent to Twitter, widely shared a video showing a Tesla Model S catching fire spontaneously. We look forward to hearing what Tesla’s investigation results are.
Tesla’s Full Self Driving Option is Now More Expensive
Elon Musk announced that the price of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) option is going to "substantially" increase over time. It’s still unclear how much the price will go up, but we will know it soon as the first rise of the cost is expected for May 1, 2019. We only know it should be "something like" $3,000," which would bring the option to a total amount of $8,000.
According to the automaker, FSD will soon be able to identify and respond to traffic lights and stop signs and will even drive automatically on city streets. Tesla announced that Autopilot is now a standard feature for some model and trims, but standard Autopilot boosted the car price. Musk also said that starting in a few months it will offer computer retrofits to all owners who purchased the FSD option.
Ride Hailing, LIDAR, Life Span, And Self-Driving Tech - Tesla Has it All Figured Out
Tesla is a small automaker compared to the global giants, yet it leads the pack from a technical and technological standpoint in many areas. One such area is in the field of autonomous driving tech, and the automaker recently showcased its newest self-driving tech and how it intends to use them at a special event held at its headquarters in Palo Alto, California.
Tesla’s Refresh for the Tesla Model S and Model X Will Infuse Model 3 DNA at their Core
Tesla is known for breaking from tradition, and that includes the way in which it updates its various model lines. Rather than creating an entirely new “generation” every five years like the rest of the industry, the California-based brand prefers a steady stream of incremental updates to keep things fresh. However, that could change with the forthcoming Model S and Model X, as rumor has it Tesla has a substantial powertrain update in the works, with tech bits pulled from the Model 3 compact sedan.
Tesla Adds a New Advanced Tailgater Feature to Autopilot Self-Driving System
Tesla is at the forefront of autonomous driving tech in the automotive industry, but competitors are hot on its heels trying to match the broad array of features provided by its Autopilot system. Now the EV maker is consolidating its position as a leader in this field with its newly released Advanced Tailgater mode that will be added for free to all Autopilot-equipped Tesla models via an over-the-air update.