Remember when Elon Musk said during an earnings call in October 2019 that Tesla only continued to build the Model S and X for sentimental reasons? Now we have refreshed, updated ‘Plaid’ versions of each. Tesla has given the cars all-new interiors, with updated screens and climate controls. It’s also redesigned the battery pack and modules in the new cars and has been making upgrades to the plant in Fremont ahead of their launch later this quarter. The Model S Plaid is quite something. Tesla says it’s capable of 0-60 in less than two seconds, claiming in the earnings presentation that it’s the fastest-accelerating production car in the world. It will cost $112,990, including potential incentives. That will get you 627 kilometres of range and a top speed of 322kph. Deliveries will start around March, according to the company’s website. There’s a higher-spec $132,990 Plaid+ model, which has a greater 837km range on a single charge. The company estimates it will be set for delivery in late 2021. The Plaid version of the Model X has had a similar makeover and injection of speed and power. In fact, Tesla claim it is the “highest performing SUV ever built” in terms of power and acceleration. Starting at $113,190, inclusive of incentives, it has a maximum range of 547km (less than the more standard Long Range model) and can do 0-60kph in 2.5 seconds. Three high-performance motors give the X plaid peak power of 1,020 horsepower. Musk said in the earnings call deliveries of the Model S Plaid will be in February.
