Tesla will hold a delivery event for its new, high-performance “Plaid” version of the Model S on Thursday. Its an effort by Elon Musks company to reignite interest in its almost decade-old electrical sedan, which is also facing stiff competition from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. When its released, Musk claims the Plaid Model S will be the “quickest production cars and truck ever made.”
The event, which will be held at Teslas factory in Fremont, CA, will be livestreamed for the public beginning at 7PM PT/ 10PM ET (though the occasion may not in fact begin till closer to 8:30 PM PT). It was originally set up for June 3rd, but Musk pressed it to the 10th after tweeting that the vehicle needed “one more week of tweak.”
The delivery of the refreshed Model S has actually also been postponed, with the company initially stating that it expected to start shipping to clients in March. A revamped version of the Model X SUV was likewise anticipated to start deliveries in March but has been pushed to an undefined future date.

Tesla will hold a shipment event for its new, high-performance “Plaid” version of the Model S on Thursday. The new model is priced at $129,990, compared to $79,990 for a long-range Model S. A “Plaid Plus” variation of the Model S, which was expected to have a variety of more than 520 miles, was canceled after Musk tweeted that fundamental Plaid is “simply so good.”
The new Model S will also include a streamlined interior, with a landscape touchscreen similar to whats discovered in the Model 3 and Model Y. Theres likewise a stalkless U-shaped butterfly guiding wheel, much like what Tesla has said will appear in the forthcoming second-generation Roadster. Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the brand-new Model S still features a cockpit screen behind the steering wheel.

Tesla states that the Plaid Model S should have the ability to do 5 times as many quarter-mile runs as previous Model S sedans, thanks to the new powertrain and the new heat pump that was developed for the Model Y. It will likewise include an infotainment system thats powered by a chip efficient in 10 teraflops of processing power, enabling guests to play games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 (with cordless controller assistance).
When it initially launched in 2012, the Tesla Model S redefined electric luxury, with a sleek design and long driving range. But the company is dealing with a brand-new wave of competition, with the release over the last few years of the Porsche Taycan, Audi E-tron GT, Lucid Air, and Mercedes EQS. If Tesla wishes to remain in the luxury EV game, it needed to make some changes to its flagship lorry
If Tesla desires to remain in the luxury EV game, it needed to make some changes to its flagship lorry.
The abrupt cancellation of Plaid Plus, however, is raising questions about the automakers battery plans. Plaid Plus was supposed to feature Teslas new tabless 4680 battery cells.
Plaid Plus was expected to get a range of 520 miles. While Musk could shock everybody Thursday night with a longer range Plaid than initially marketed, he also recently tossed cold water on the idea of requiring varieties longer than 400 miles. In a statement to Electrek, Musk said “more variety doesnt actually matter. There are essentially zero trips above 400 miles where the driver doesnt require to stop for toilet, food, coffee, etc. anyway.”
Ignoring for a minute that most washroom breaks last much shorter than the time it takes to charge an electrical vehicle, Musks turnaround on Plaid Plus could signal a hold-up in the production of Teslas 4680 battery cells. In addition to Plaid, the brand-new cells are expected to be utilized in Teslas Cybertruck and Semi automobiles, which are still expected later on this year.
In an April incomes call, Musk said that Tesla was still “12 … to 18 months far from volume production of 4680.” It stays to be seen whether well get an update on that estimate at the event Thursday evening. With Musk, you never understand for sure.

The Plaid Model S wasnt inevitable. Tesla rather was continuously making minor enhancements to both lorries, he said.
However less than 2 months later on, a model version of the Plaid powertrain made its debut at the Laguna Seca raceway, lapping the popular California racetrack in simply one minute and 36 seconds. The business later on flaunted another prototype as part of its Battery Day discussion in September 2020. Plaid, just like the “Ludicrous” velocity mode in Teslas vehicles, is a recommendation to one of Musks preferred motion pictures, Spaceballs.
We currently know the majority of the appropriate specs: a projected range of 390 miles, a top speed of 200mph (with the “right tires,” Musk has said), and a 0– 60mph sprint in 1.99 seconds (although theres been some concerns about the validity of that last claim). The brand-new model is priced at $129,990, compared to $79,990 for a long-range Model S. A “Plaid Plus” variation of the Model S, which was supposed to have a variety of more than 520 miles, was canceled after Musk tweeted that basic Plaid is “just so good.”
The new Model S will likewise include a streamlined interior, with a landscape touchscreen similar to whats discovered in the Model 3 and Model Y. Theres also a stalkless U-shaped butterfly guiding wheel, similar to what Tesla has actually stated will appear in the upcoming second-generation Roadster. And theres an added screen behind the center console for rear-seat guests. Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the brand-new Model S still features a cockpit screen behind the steering wheel.