Early next week or the week after, Tesla is expected to raise the price of its Model S vehicles. In fact Tesla sort of confirmed this with a vague comment to us last week:
“We price our vehicles consistently throughout the world which requires us to adjust pricing to foreign currency exchange rates. We have let customers know that some price changes will take effect in early April.”
Let’s assume that happens very soon. What would Tesla give its customers in exchange for that cost? I think some significant changes are in store for the Model S…
For one, the Model 3 front looks a lot more like the Model X than the Model S, leaving the S as kind of an “odd man out”. I think Tesla swoops in and changes the front end to look more like the Model X. Notably, it won’t have to change out any of the aluminum to do this. A refreshed plastic front bumper assembly should do the trick.
Fun Fact! The original Model S prototype had a front end that looked a lot more like the Model X with the logo hanging over an air intake – though much more rounded. Frankly I like that design a little more (video below) but in the end, for continuity, I’d like to see a more flat/squared front end that matches the X and 3 on the Model S.
Here’s the video:
Perhaps if Tesla only makes these changes to the plastic parts of the front end, I and owners like me can replace mine with all of its scratches and dents. That’d make me a happy camper.
Why stop there? Perhaps the rear end of the model S could use some tweaking too? Maybe make the lights more in line with the Model X too? And while we’re on the Model X, why not make the seats vented like the Model X seats as well?
And finally, what about that 100kWh battery we’ve been hearing so much about? If it is in the Model S firmware, it can’t be far off from launch, right? I mean how far ahead is Tesla thinking with its software here? Perhaps it showed up because it needed to be used in testing vehicles?
With that extra bit of battery and some other small tweaks, maybe Tesla can bump its top range to significantly over 300 miles from the current 288 EPA-rated of the 90D. If the math works, a 11% increase in battery should bump the 100D to around 320 miles of range.
I’d pay more for that!
Featured image: A Model S with the Model X’s front-end by NikonD3s
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An other significant change would be the new autopilot hardware, but thats probably to early
This is exactly the list of changes I’ve heard from sources inside HQ:
Front end
LED headlights
Taillights
Vented Seats
Mid April
how reliable is this source? shold i shift my production if possible its build on the 18th of april
Based on the Model 3 announcement, I would guess any new Model S will probably come with supercharger capability and autopilot enabled by default. Bigger battery packs for sure; maybe 2nd or 3rd gen seats and improved interior lighting become standard?
I personally think the Model 3 looks more like the Roadster than the X
I know it’s personal preference, but I really hope they leave the exterior of Model S as it is – it’s the best looking car in their line-up, if you ask me, followed by the 3, the X, and the Roadster.
The 3 needs *something* on that blank forward surface, even if it’s just a black decal. The front end of a car is its face. The details of the face are its expression.
The Roadster looks scared and confused: http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/14/47/546b5d8299fd6_-_2008-tesla-roadster-lg.jpg
The S looks cheerful, outgoing and sly, like it just heard something funny but naughty: http://images.hgmsites.net/med/2013-tesla-model-s_100412524_m.jpg
The X looks serious and deep in concentration: http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/364/389/7/S3643897/slug/l/tesla-motors-inc-model-x-suv-reveal-1.jpg
And the 3 kind of looks pleasantly surprised, like it just got a great birthday present, but it can’t say so because it has no mouth: http://autoguide.com.vsassets.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/tesla-model-3-1.jpg
Out of all of them, the S is the most confident and self-assured looking car. It threads the sweet-spot between good humour and bravado. I think X looks too serious, and I want the S to keep its unique character. I also think 3 looks fantastic, but the lack of the mouth is a touch of mild psychological discomfort when one looks at it. I’ll be black-decalling mine if Tesla don’t.
All of these cars have different looking “faces” if you put the front license plate on.
–Roadster looks like it has something stuck in its teeth.
— S looks like it has braces.
— X looks like it has a beard.
— 3 should look *better* with a plate. I think the plate is the “finishing feature” on the front look.