At long last, Tesla has unveiled the facelifted Model S. The biggest (and probably the only) letdown is that there is no option for a 100 kWh battery as the rumor mill indicated in recent weeks. On the upside, the updates breathe new life into the four-year-old battery-powered sedan.
The front fascia is a carbon copy of that found on the Tesla Model X crossover. I don’t know why, but the grille-less nose looks better on the Model S than on its high-riding counterpart. The headlights are also new and they bring adaptive technology to the table. Each headlight contains no less than 14 LED turning lights that offer three positions for adequate lighting when the sun goes down and the dark comes into its own.
Regarding the sides and the rear end, all is new and all is old. Yup, it’s virtually the same car as ever. Inside the 2017 Tesla Model S facelift, we have the HEPA air-filtration system that debuted on the Model X and the Bioweapon Defense Mode. Don’t think about an apocalyptic scenario, though, because the purpose of this mode is to filter smog, allergens and bacteria at much higher rates than the air filters found in other cars. Tesla says that it can remove at least 99.97% of particulate exhaust pollution.
Other than the air filtration system, the 2017 Tesla Model S facelift boasts interior decor choices that were previously unavailable: Figured Ash Wood Decor and Dark Ash Wood Decor. A more interesting aspect about the electric sedan comes in the form of the charging system. For the 2017 model year, the Model S gets a 48 amp charger which enables faster charging than the current 40 amp charger when connected to high amperage sources. A beefier 72 amp charger is available for $1,500.
Pricing? $71,500 before applying the $7,500 federal tax credit for the entry-level grade. That’s $300 more than the starting price of the 2016 model year with the 70 kWh battery and RWD. As for the range-topping 2017 Tesla Model S P90D with the Ludicrous Speed Upgrade, the retail price is $119,500.
These being said, you can now start configuring your own 2017 Tesla Model S.
Regarding the sides and the rear end, all is new and all is old. Yup, it’s virtually the same car as ever. Inside the 2017 Tesla Model S facelift, we have the HEPA air-filtration system that debuted on the Model X and the Bioweapon Defense Mode. Don’t think about an apocalyptic scenario, though, because the purpose of this mode is to filter smog, allergens and bacteria at much higher rates than the air filters found in other cars. Tesla says that it can remove at least 99.97% of particulate exhaust pollution.
Other than the air filtration system, the 2017 Tesla Model S facelift boasts interior decor choices that were previously unavailable: Figured Ash Wood Decor and Dark Ash Wood Decor. A more interesting aspect about the electric sedan comes in the form of the charging system. For the 2017 model year, the Model S gets a 48 amp charger which enables faster charging than the current 40 amp charger when connected to high amperage sources. A beefier 72 amp charger is available for $1,500.
Pricing? $71,500 before applying the $7,500 federal tax credit for the entry-level grade. That’s $300 more than the starting price of the 2016 model year with the 70 kWh battery and RWD. As for the range-topping 2017 Tesla Model S P90D with the Ludicrous Speed Upgrade, the retail price is $119,500.
These being said, you can now start configuring your own 2017 Tesla Model S.