A hefty price increase for the Model S: since yesterday, Friday, Tesla has been charging €17,000 or 18 per cent more for its five-metre saloon. The previous base price of €92,990 is still listed on the Model S website, but according to the configurator, the normal all-wheel drive model with two motors now costs €109,990. The Plaid variant now costs €119,990 instead of €107,990, an increase of 11 per cent.
There are similar price increases for the Model X, according to Teslamag. Perhaps as a consolation, Tesla is reintroducing free Supercharging for both models. This will apply to all Model S and X purchases from 6 February, according to the configurator. It states:
“Eligibility for free Supercharger use and premium connectivity is linked to the vehicle’s VIN and the original named driver, who must also take possession of the vehicle. Free Supercharger use and Premium Connectivity cannot be transferred to another person or vehicle in the event of a change of ownership.”
This news gives us the opportunity to update our model overview of the Model S. The luxury saloon was Tesla’s second electric car after the Roadster; the model was launched in 2012, so it has been “in service” for over ten years. At the end of 2021, it underwent an extensive technical upgrade, including a slight facelift.
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The Plaid+ version announced for 2021 was never released, and the new Plaid version was initially only available in the USA. The Plaid has only been available in Germany since August 2022. The regular all-wheel-drive version was also delayed in Germany: the Model S Dual Motor only appeared in the German configurator at the beginning of 2023.
Drives and battery
The Model S is available with two engine options, labelled “All Wheel Drive” and “Plaid” in the configurator. “Plaid is a reference to the science fiction parody Space Balls. Here are the key specs:
| Model S Dual Motor | Model S Plaid | |
| Drive system | AWD with 2 electric motors | AWD with 3 electric motors |
| Motor power front/rear | 343 PS / 343 PS | 466 PS / 2x 420 PS |
| System output | 670 PS | 1,020 PS |
| 0-62 mph | 3.2 sec. | 2.1 sec. (roll-out start) |
| Top speed | 155 mph | 200 mph |
| WLTP power consumption | 17.5 kWh | 18.7 kWh |
| Net battery (unofficial) | approx. 95 kWh (NCA) | approx. 95 kWh (NCA) |
| WLTP range | approx. 449 miles (19 inch) 394 miles (21 inch) |
approx. 432 miles (19 inch) 373 miles (21 inch) |
| Price | €109,990 | €119,990 |
The basic Model S has two 343 PS motors. The system output is slightly less than the sum of the engine outputs. The Plaid also has four-wheel drive, but with three motors – one at the front and two at the rear. The system power (1,020 PS) is significantly lower than the sum of the motor powers (1,267 PS).
There is no official information about the battery. However, according to EV-Database, both motors are equipped with an NCA (Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminium) battery with a net capacity of around 95 kWh. The cylindrical battery cells come from Panasonic and have the 1865 format (18 mm diameter, 65 mm length). A total of 7,920 cells are arranged in five modules.
At 449 miles, the Tesla Model S Dual Motor with 19-inch wheels is one of the electric cars with the longest range. However, this figure is an estimate; only the ranges with the 21-inch wheels, available at extra cost, are certified.
All Teslas can be charged with up to 11 kW of alternating current, according to the Tesla website. With DC, the Model S is capable of 250 kW. As we know from our fast-charging test at the V3 Supercharger, this value is also achieved. This means that the maximum charging power is extremely high for a 400 volt car.
Tesla does not give a charge time, but according to EV-Database, a 10 to 80 per cent charge takes around 30 minutes. This, together with the unofficial net capacity, gives a charge rate of 2.2 kWh/min – a very good value. The range charge is also very good, at best 16.9 kWh/min (dual motor with 19-inch wheels).
The interior of the Model S is Spartan: there are very few physical buttons and most settings are made via the large, horizontal touchscreen. This even applies to selecting the driving mode: D or R is selected on the screen. Turning is done with buttons on the steering wheel. Also unusual: when ordering, you can choose between a conventional steering wheel and a steering horn for an extra €1,000.
Test and evaluation of the Tesla Model S
Our US colleague Kyle Conner tested the Model S Plaid. Kyle criticises the unergonomic turn signal controls, the steering horn and the handling, as well as the brakes, which are inadequate for the performance. His colleague, however, found that the acceleration set new standards. A plus point for us is that there is a large boot lid at the rear, not just one like the Model 3.
Rivals of the Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S’s rivals include the BMW i5, Mercedes EQE and EQS, the Nio ET7, the Porsche Taycan and the Lucid Air. We published a comparison with the Model S Plaid at the beginning of 2024 and a comparison with the normal all-wheel drive model in May 2022.
The Tesla Model S’s competitors include the BMW i5, Mercedes EQE and EQS, Nio ET7, Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air.
Technical data of the Tesla Model S
- All-wheel drive with 2 or 3 motors
- System power / system torque: up to 750 kW / n.a.
- 0-62 mph / top speed: 3.2 or 2.1 sec / 155 or 200 mph
- WLTP power consumption: 18.7 or 17.5 kWh/100 km
- Battery / WLTP range: approx. 95 kWh (unofficial) / 373-449 miles
- Charging capacity: up to 11 kW AC, up to 250 kW DC
- Charging time: approx. 30 min (according to EV database)
- Dimensions: 5,021 mm length / 1,987 mm width / 1,431 mm height / 2,960 mm wheelbase
- Luggage compartment: 793 litres
- cW-value: 0.208
