Tesla introduces new performance enhancements to Model S and Model X

Tesla has updated its vehicle lineup last night to introduce new performance enhancements to Model S and Model X – making the non-performance versions of both vehicles significantly quicker from a standstill.

Here we take a quick look at the updated features:

Without going into details, a Tesla spokesperson confirmed to Electrek that they are rolling out new software and hardware improvements that are enabling those performance enhancements.

Since the enhancements include hardware upgrades, those new specs are for new vehicles being built today and not the current fleet.

The improvements are more significant for the base versions of the Model S. The Model S 75 and its dual motor version are both gaining a full second of acceleration from 0 to 60 mph:

• Model 75: 4.3 seconds down from 5.5 seconds
• Model S 75D: 4.2 seconds down from 5.2 seconds

As for the more recent Model S 100D, it’s also seeing a slight improvement in acceleration:

• Model S 100D: 4.1 seconds down from 4.2 seconds

The bigger Model X, which is only available with dual motor, is also seeing some new performance enhancements:

• Model X 75D: 4.9 seconds down from 6.0 seconds
• Model X 100D: 4.7 seconds down from 5.2 seconds.

It’s another example of Tesla regularly introducing upgrades to its vehicles without waiting for new model year.

Interestingly, those upgrades are also coming just ahead of the launch of the Model 3 and since they are most important on the base versions of the vehicles, it looks like Tesla might be looking to further differentiate its higher-end models, Model S and Model X, with its newest less expensive Model 3.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been guiding “less than 6 seconds” for the Model 3’s 0 to 60 mph, but that’s only for the base version of the car. It will also feature quicker acceleration for the performance versions, which are expected later.

Furthermore, Tesla also updated the seat options on the Model X to introduce a new 7-seat configuration where the second and third-row seats fold flat:

Tesla presents the new $3,000 option as being for people who want to maximize both cargo space and passenger space.

The 5- and 6-seat configurations are also still available on the Model X.