The Tesla Model S is the most significant car of the last 75 years. It entered production as a Car of the Year winner, but never stopped improving. The world's software-defined car was continually upgraded, in both hardware and software, so that the final Signature Edition shares little more than its name and skin with the original. This is the story of the Tesla Model S.

The Model S has reached the end of its 14-year production run. In celebration, Tesla has released a limited-production "Signature" edition, based on the Plaid. It includes gold accents inside and out, beautiful wheels, the Track Package carbon-ceramic brakes (with slightly narrower rear tires.) and voluptuous seats. But it also includes a decade and a half of continual evolution.

The "Tesla Sedan" wasn't perfect. But it was an industry game-changer not (just) because it's electric. Not (just) because it was from a startup. Not (just) because it set the stage for the company to create the world's bestselling passenger car. Not because its list of "industry firsts" is longer than this description. But because it was created using Silicon Valley-style continual iteration.

Tesla never stopped improving the Model S — rolling in hundreds, or even thousands, of running changes during its production: both hardware and software. In the end, it shares merely 3% of its parts with the original 2012 Model S, roughly equivalent to 60 years of progress at a traditional automaker.

In this video, automotive journalist Jason Cammisa brings together the original Tesla Model S prototype, based on a Mercedes CLS sedan, together with the actual car that won the Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year award and 1 of 250 Signature Edition 2026 Model S sedans to tell the story of a car that showed the automotive industry a new way of thinking, iterating, and building cars. And legitimized EVs at a time when they didn't seem viable. In the studio with Jason is the actual Model S Prototype, a WhiteStar 2012 Model S P85, and a "Lazarus" (P3) 2026 Signature Edition Plaid.

Covered in this documentary is also the 2016 Model S Refresh, the 2018 "Raven" update, the 2021 "Palladium" Plaid, and the 2025 P3 "Lazarus" — with a Blackberry, an original iPhone, and period magazine articles and commentary.

 

a friend has a 2013 AND a 2023 model S. differences are massive. rip model s.

 

I can see the case for it.

 

What does this mean? 🤔

 

Like you don't know!!!! Pssssht

 

Damn iPhone lol.. edited.

I think 75 years is a bit wild. The last 15 years I think is a much stronger argument.

 

I haven’t watched the video yet, but as it’s a Cammisa/Hagerty video then top quality is assured, but the core premise has a reasonable basis. The Model S heralded the transition to cars defined by software more than hardware, and where the key hardware like batteries and motors were themselves optimized by software, which itself was further upgradable via OTA update. I believe the Model S absolutely makes a solid case for the most important/ impactful car of the last 75 years.

 

Jason Camissa is one of my favorite reviewers. And the Model S to me is one of the most important cars in my lifetime, proving that battery powered cars are not only viable, but can be mainstream

 

I recommend watching the video if you haven't already. Jason states some compelling reasons why he feels it's 75

 

i drove my friend's model s to lunch today. great car but i still hate the yoke and no turn signal stalk he has with the non-variable steering.

 

Jason Camissa also criticized the silly yoke.

 

That was an awesome documentary 👍

 

Perhaps, but I think there are some better cases. The 1959 Mini Cooper introduced the whole concept of the Transverse front-engine / FWD powertrain-layout that much of the industry has since adopted for space-efficiency. The 1981 AMC Eagle introduced car-based AWD that much of the industry today has also adopted for winter traction and handling. And the 1984 Dodge/Plymouth Voyager minivans introduced the classic smaller-sized people-movers that replaced conventional larger station wagons, and became the new family vehicle for millions. Take your pick.

 

This is the most important car in the last 75 years.

 

Only if it's successful. If it turns out to be a failure, it will be the most ambitious gamble in 75 years. My bet is it's successful, but until the fat lady sings...