Tesla Announced To The World That The Plaid+ Was Not Going To Happen So This Prototype Is Unexpected
Tesla was originally planning to launch both Plaid and more extreme Plaid Plus versions of the refreshed Model S, but it eventually ditched the former arguing the non-Plus model already offered enough performance. And we thought that was the end of the Plaid+ story, but now a new set of spy photos is making us reinterpret the situation.
Our spies sent us photos of what is very clearly the latest incarnation of the Tesla Model S, but with a splitter on the lower part of the front bumper, as well as what is very clearly an active rear wing on the rear. You can tell the wing is active by the fact that there sa recess in the hatch where it retracts and sits flush when not extended.
And the wing not only retracts, but it can also change its angle, so under braking it creates extra drag and helps slow the vehicle down quicker. The prototype also featured what appeared to be larger brakes and the ride height was definitely lower than the production Plaid that is available right now.
Tesla Model S Plaid: Design And Features
Both Model S Plaid models appear pretty much identical to one another, and the existing Model S. Which makes sense, because on the outside they are all the same car.
You get the same old Sedan frame everyone is familiar with, with all those same options. Aerodynamics, style, a choice of 19- or 21-inch wheels, its all there. You also get the same 28 cubic feet of cargo space, a secure front trunk and room inside for five adults.
You get all the usual features youd expect from a Model S. That includes the tinted glass sunroof, Sentry Mode. mobile app control, yoke steering, 22-speaker audio, wireless charging, HEPA air filtering, heated seats and steering wheel, and an array of hi-resolution displays.
Both the Tesla Model S Plaid comes with Autopilot as standard, which gives your car limited control over steering, acceleration, blind spot alerts and braking within a lane.
Youre also able to add Full Self Driving Autopilot for an additional $12,000, which packs in lane change assist and auto navigation on the highway. If that is too much money, you can always opt for the $199 a month FSD subscription service which gives you all the same features for significantly less money. And there’s no obligation or contracts, so you can cancel it anytime you like
Full Self Driving is not full driver-free autonomy, though, so always make sure to pay attention to the road.
Tesla Increases Model S Plaid Price In Canada By $10k
Less than 24 hours after increasing the price of the Model S Plaid in the U.S., Tesla has also increased the price in Canada.
Last night Tesla updated the price of the Model S Plaid from $119,990 USD to $129,990 USD, an increase of $10,000 USD. At the time the price change did not affect Canadian orders, meaning the price difference between the two countries when taking the exchange rate into account was only a few thousand dollars.
The price parity was short lived, as the automaker increased the price north of the border this afternoon, also by $10,000. The flagship vehicle now starts at $169,990 in Canada.
The price of the Model Y was also increased in the U.S. last night, but fortunately that change did not carry over to the Canadian Design Studio.
The price increase comes just a few hours before the first deliveries of the Model S Plaid are scheduled to take place. Tesla will be hosting a special event at its Fremont factory test track tonight, where attendees will be able to get up close and personal with the new car, even getting the chance to take test drives in the worlds fastest car.
If you are not one of the lucky attendees, you can watch the event livestream on Teslas website. The doors to the event open at 7:00pm PST , with remarks and the livestream beginning at 8:30pm PST .
UPDATE: It looks like the price increase was not limited to Canada. A Drive Tesla reader in Norway reports they too saw an increase this afternoon.
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It Was Originally Going To Debut In Late
When Tesla added the Model S Plaid+ to its online configurator, it had a base price of $139,990 and its planned launch date was set for late-2021. Afterward, we reported the $10,000 price increase, which brought the Plaid+ starting price up to $149,990 (or and now it looks like it has been postponed by nearly a year.
Now, instead of late-2021, the official online Tesla configurator app says the Model S Plaid+ is actually expected to debut around the middle of next year. We had been informed by Tesla that while all other versions of the overhauled Model S would become available in the very near future, we would have to wait longer for the Plaid+.
In fact, you cant order one right now. You can reserve one and place a refundable deposit down, but technically doesnt constitute an actual order.
Tesla Model S Plaid Plus Canceled Musk Says
Tesla’s quickest and most expensive Model S is no more. In fact, it never really happened in the first place.
Emme Hall
Editor / Cars
I love 2-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, 7-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
The Tesla Model S Plaid Plus is dead, according to a tweet from Elon Musk on Sunday. Why? Musk says there’s “no need,” because the standard Plaid is “just so good.” It’s not clear what — if any — factors led to the model’s demise, but reservation holders of the model are being contacted and asked to accept a standard Model S plaid instead.
Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good.
Elon Musk
In late May, Tesla grayed out the Plaid Plus option on its configurator, which was expected to cost $149,990 — $10,000 more than the company originally planned to charge. The Plus was expected to have 1,100 horsepower, a sub 2-second 0-to-60-mph time and an unprecedented 520 miles of range.
Tesla no longer operate a public relations department and doesn’t field media requests for comment. All we have to go on is Musk’s tweet, but considering this isn’t the first time Elon’s made an official announcement on social media, we have no reason to doubt its validity.
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Gallery: Tesla Model S Plaid Plus Spied Again
So what does this all mean? Well, Tesla is either still working on the Plaid+ in secret and it will surprise everybody with its launch in the not too distant future, or this is an older Plaid+ prototype that the manufacturer is using to carry out testing for some other purpose.
Aside from the blue car that features all the modifications listed above, our spies also say they saw another prototype that appeared to be a stock Model S Plaid, although it too had some much more aggressive racing seats that arent available on the production model. This could suggest this second vehicle is a regular Plaid, and the Plaid+ is being benchmarked against it. If you have a better explanation for this new round of Plaid+ testing, let us know in the comments what your theory is.
More Model S Plaid news
Why The Tesla Model S Plaid Plus Was Cancelled
Built for speed and range, the Model S Plaid with its Tri motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain is listed as potentially able to achieve 0-60 mph —9.23 seconds at 155 mph in quarter-mile tests—at a peak power of 1,020 horsepower and an estimated range of 390 miles.
In comparison to the Model S Plaid—which is available currentlyat a price of $114,490 , the Plaid Plus is still listed on the Tesla website at a price of $144,490 with an expected release date of mid-2022.
The only expected practical difference between the Plaid and the Plaid Plus is that the Plus model was expected to offer more range—with a single charge—of potentially up to 520 miles, and that its acceleration would increase slightly.
So, why was the Plaid Plus suddenly dropped?
Reasons for Plaid Plus Cancellation
Tesla news source Electrek reported that the reason given was that in Teslas current view there is no practical need for an EV to have a range of over 400 miles in a single charge. They received a comment from Tesla stating that, What we are seeing is that once you have a range above 400 miles, more range doesnt really matter. There are essentially zero trips above 400 miles where the driver doesnt need to stop for restroom, food, coffee, etc. anyway.
The Real Reason???
We welcome your comments on what your take is on the cancellation of the Model S Plaid Plus and what this means for Tesla and its followers.
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A Tesla Model S Plaid Making 1100 Hp And A Range Of 837 Km On The Way
On a day dubbed Battery Day at Tesla, the company’s big boss, Elon Musk, presented a video of the new version of the Model S sedan, the Plaid. The video shows the Plaid recording a time of 1 minute 30 seconds at the Laguna Seca racetrack in California. Let’s just say that it appears to be rather fast.
Musk gave the variants 0-100 km/h acceleration at under two seconds. For the quarter mile, we’re talking about a time under 9 seconds, which is completely staggering.
The Plaid version comes with three motors and all-wheel drive. According to Elon Musk, it will also deliver a range of 837 km and a power output of 1,100 hp. That’s more than the 832-km range forecast announced by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency for the Lucid Air unveiled last month. You want more crazy numbers? The Tesla Model S Plaid will also be able to reach a top speed of 322 km/h.
Potential Cost Of Upcoming Tesla Models
Its been over two years since Tesla started delivering any new models to its lineup, but it has been teasing the masses with two upcoming passenger EVs for five years now. This includes the Cybertruck and the 2nd Generation Roadster.
How much do they cost? Well, lets just say their prices have changed over the years and as of 2022, Tesla has been far less open about it.
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Elon Musk Says Tesla Officially Canceled The Model S Plaid Plus
- Tesla has canceled the most expensive variant of its flagship sedan, the Model S Plaid Plus, CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet on Sunday.
- Tesla had promised a Plaid Plus version of the Model S would deliver 520 miles of range, and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds.
- Like other North American automakers, Tesla has been grappling with a computer chip shortage and other supply chain issues.
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Tesla has canceled the most expensive variant of its flagship sedan, the Model S Plaid Plus, according to a tweet from CEO Elon Musk on Sunday.
Previously, Tesla and Musk promised fans the tri-motor, Plaid Plus version of their new Model S would give drivers 1,100 horsepower, 520 miles of range on a fully charged battery, and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than two seconds.
On Sunday, Musk wrote on Twitter, where he has a follower count above 50 million:
“Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good.” He added, “0 to 60mph in under 2 secs. Quickest production car ever made of any kind. Has to be felt to be believed.”
In March, Tesla raised the price of the Model S Plaid Plus by $10,000 bringing it to about $150,000. The option to order the Model S Plaid Plus variant was removed from Tesla’s website around the last week of May, according to a CNET report.
Like other North American automakers, Tesla has been grappling with supply chain issues especially a computer chip shortage.
Cost To Drivecost To Drive Estimates For The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid 4dr Sedan Awd And Comparison Vehicles Are Based On 15000 Miles Per Year And Energy Estimates Of N/a Undefined In North Dakota
There’s also the Tesla Model S Plaid. The Plaid, which presumably gets its name from an obscure Spaceballs movie reference, gains an additional electric motor, for a total of three. The automaker is touting an output of 1,020 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 2 seconds.
Also on tap for 2021 is an updated interior. It features a new horizontally oriented touchscreen, which is the style Tesla implemented on its Model 3 and Y. It’s paired with an additional dash-mounted driver information display above the steering yoke and an entertainment display for rear passengers. Wait, what’s a steering yoke? Yep, leave it to Tesla to try to reinvent the wheel. The Model Y has a new design that’s styled to look like an aircraft’s flight yoke or, perhaps more whimsically, the twin-grip design from Knight Rider’s KITT.
So what’s it like driving the updated Model S? Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team’s evaluation of the car’s performance, real-world range and more.
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The Tesla Model S Plaid+ Is Doa Per Musk’s Latest Tweet
The 1,020-hp tri-motor Tesla Model S Plaid electric vehicle, however, lives on.
Tesla is pulling the plug on the Model S Plaid+, per the brand’s chief executive officer, Elon Musk. Musk tweeted the news on Sunday, June 6, 2021:
While the upcoming Tesla Model S Plaid offers plentiful performance for its $121,190 asking price , its estimated driving range of 390 miles on a full charge falls 130 miles short of the claimed range of the $141,190 Plaid+ . As such, we wager the real reason for the Plaid+’s cancellation is the result of limited pre-orders for the model, given its nearly identical straight-line performance to the lesser Model S Plaid .
Sure, the Plaid+ reportedly offered even greater driving range and marginally better acceleration performance relative to the Plaid, but the cheaper tri-motor Model S variant’s estimated range and acceleration figures are certainly nothing to scoff at. Arguably, neither the Plaid+’s performance and driving range gains never quite justified the trim’s $20,000 price bump relative to the regular Model S Plaid.
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Elon Musk Is Kind Of Vague About Why The Tesla Model S Plaid Plus Is Canceled
Elon Musk loves to communicate with the Tesla community via Twitter. In fact, Tesla did away with their communications department. This means most people get their breaking Tesla news from Musks tweets. While its an extremely swift means of disseminating information, it can leave a lot of murky water to wade through for answers.
When Musk tweeted that there would be no promised forthcoming Tesla Model S Plaid Plus, he simply wrote, Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good. While there may be customers who are content with the Tesla Model S Plaid, those who had already placed orders for the Model S Plaid Plus are likely disappointed.
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Tested: 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid Is Absurdly Quick But Also Has A Few Key Flaws
Tesla’s monstrously quick 1020-hp Model S plaid nabs records and delivers on most of the company’s hyperbole, but that’s not the whole story.
From the January 2022 issue of Car and Driver.
“Basically, our product plan is stolen from Spaceballs,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk said with a smirk when unveiling the 1020-hp Model S Plaid, referring to the 1987 film parody of Star Wars. In that movie, the fastest faster-than-light speed is called ludicrous speed. When the ship Spaceball I reaches that speed, it appears plaid, leading a character to remark in wide-eyed awe, “They’ve gone to plaid.” Both Ludicrous and Plaid have been names for modes in the swiftest Model S variants.
HIGHS: Insanely responsive and swift powertrain, plenty refined for everyday use, impressive range.
If you’ve been following Tesla, you know that performance tapers off quickly after more than one or two acceleration runs on a full charge. No longer. The Plaid’s radiator is twice as large as before, and our test car ran eight consecutive consistent passes, the last one at an 80 percent state of charge.
LOWS: High-speed wandering, poorly integrated steering yoke, no at-the-limit feel.
VERDICT: There’s more to greatness than quickness.
Tesla Releases Refreshed Model S And X With Lots Of Replacements
Tesla, after much anticipation has finally released a refreshed Model S and X. In addition, the EV maker has also gone away with the performance models of the vehicles and replaced them with a tri-motor all-wheel-drive plaid variant.
The vehicles come with a whole new interior with a horizontal touchscreen, a Rectangular Steering wheel, a screen for passengers in the rear seats, and an overall new look. The new interior has also gone away with gear stalks and turn stalks and replaced them with a predictive system that autonomously detects obstacles and that can be overridden by the touchscreen.
No more stalks. Car guesses drive direction based on what obstacles it sees, context & nav map. You can override on touchscreen.
Elon Musk
The air vents also have been refreshed and now look similar to the ones in the Model 3 and Y. The center console also resembles that of the new look of the Model 3.
The exterior of the vehicle has seen minor changes. The air intake is slightly bigger, the body seems slightly wider and the front fascia is slightly sleeker but overall keeps the basic classic lines the vehicles debuted with.
The Plaid versions of the Model S and X also come with a significant performance upgrade. The plaid Model S now has 1020 horsepowers, can do 0 to 60 in less than 1.99 seconds. However, Tesla for the past couple of years has already held the mantle of the fastest accelerating vehicle from 0 to 60, what is much more impressive is the quarter-mile time.
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