That steering wheel is wild. This thing is going to destroy everything in acceleration.

Tesla unveils redesigned Model S with new interior and 520-mile range option

It has a Roadster-like steering wheel and a Model 3-like screen
Images:

TeslaTesla has just announced the first major redesign of the Model S since it launched the electric sedan in 2012. This new version, which will launch later this year, has a refreshed exterior, a simplified interior, and the option for a more powerful powertrain that lets the car travel at least 520 miles and go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 2 seconds.

The new Model S has some light updates to the exterior of the car, but the biggest visual change is inside. Tesla has axed the portrait touchscreen in favor of one more like what’s found in the Model 3 and Model Y, though with much smaller bezels. There’s also a U-shaped steering wheel, much like what we’ve seen in the forthcoming second-generation Roadster, and a screen behind the center console for rear-seat passengers. Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the new Model S still features a screen behind the steering wheel.

The new Model S starts at $79,990 for a “Long Range” dual-motor version that gets 412 miles of range. Or people can spend $119,000 for one with the new, more powerful “Plaid” powertrain that goes 390 miles with that sub-2 second 0–60 time. The “Plaid+” version with 520 miles starts at $139,000. The Plaid and Plaid+ versions have top speeds of 200 miles per hour, while the Long Range tops out at 155 mph.


A Model S redesign has been rumored for years, with Electrek posting allegedly leaked renders of the new interior all the way back in 2018. Tesla CEO Elon Musk threw cold water on the idea in 2019, though, when he tweeted “[t]here is no ‘refreshed’ Model X or Model S coming.” Tesla instead was constantly making minor improvements to both vehicles, he said.

But that tune started to change once Tesla started testing out a new powertrain in 2019 dubbed “Plaid” — which, much like the “Ludicrous” acceleration mode in Tesla’s cars, .

Musk said at Tesla’s Battery Day event in September 2020 that the Plaid Model S would be coming in late 2021. But aside from the basic specs, and the addition of the car to its website, Tesla didn’t mention anything about a design refresh.

 

What is your source for this? Especially the images.

 

I have never seen cost cutting where they only give you 60% of the steering wheel


I do like the inside

 

Not those images specifically, but the new model configurator is already online.

https://www.tesla.com/models/design#overview

 

Nice. I want one.

some more articles
https://electrek.co/2021/01/27/tesla...teering-wheel/
https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/27/2...terior-refresh
https://insideevs.com/news/482512/te...efresh-reveal/

 

Its on Tesla's website now.

 

Do you think that steering wheel will make it into production? I dunno. Also no turn signal stalk, no stalks at all. On the Tesla site it says expected delivery late 2021. Maybe they are sandbagging (Tesla is making of a habit of this lately) and it will be sooner. Interior looks sharp in white.

 

Looks like its ready to go to Mars

I bet they say something in today's earnings call at 3:30pm. Maybe they have buttons behind steering wheel for turn signal? Maybe the drive selector is now fully digital along with autopilot...

 

The car reads the minds of its drivers

 

It looks like Tesla is keeping exterior changes conservative, similar to Porsche. The S has a timeless design and I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of a change, but I really like it.

As to the interior, I love what they did here and the features look really attractive. I much prefer the landscape orientation on the display. I'm not so hot on the steering wheel/controls at first glance, but I'd like to try it before really judging. If anything, it doesn't obscure the forward display at all, which is a nice side benefit.

As to the performance and range, wow. What's left for the Roadster 2 to accomplish, lol? Looking forward to seeing them in action.

 

Overall, I like it.

Would have been fun to see some exterior updates, but I already liked the exterior so no big deal there. The interior is a huge improvement. I wish the 3 and Y had the instrument cluster/display behind the steering wheel like this.

I would not want that steering wheel, though. I would want a traditional, round one.

 

I like the optional wheels ($4,500!!) on the S.

 

Yeah...i like round steering wheels. Tesla is definitely not going for luxury. More of a premium technology brand in cars.

 

Looks like a comprehensive update. Exactly what the S/X needed. The standard Long Range looks like a great buy, it's dual motor, extremely fast and has great range, but arguably the Plaid might be the pick of the bunch from a price/performance perspective. The Plaid+ is going to be insane - interested to see how that plays out (and just how much less than "<1.99s" 0-60 it actually delivers).

 

It looks like the turn signal has been reduced to haptic keys on the steering wheel beside the left scroll/wheel thingy. Egads.