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The Model S stands as Tesla’s second-oldest vehicle, significantly contributing to the brand’s entry into the mainstream automotive market. Its widespread visibility on American roads has helped establish Tesla as a household name. Now that the Model S has surpassed a decade in existence, automotive enthusiasts are questioning whether a second generation is in the works. However, the answer is more complex than it initially appears, largely due to Tesla’s distinctive method of updating and modifying its models. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Model S and uncover why a Model S 2.0 is not currently on Tesla’s agenda.
The First 1,000 Cars
The inception of the Model S can be traced back to 2007, when Tesla was still a relatively obscure four-year-old startup, just two years into its production of the Roadster. Initially known by the codename “WhiteStar,” the Model S project was led by Danish designer Henrik Fisker, who later established his own far less successful automotive venture. Following a series of disputes between Fisker and Elon Musk, Franz von Holzhausen was appointed as the head designer, with Peter Rawlinson overseeing engineering efforts. Rawlinson, now CEO of Lucid Motors, is often credited as the true architect of the Model S and has become a vocal critic of Tesla.
The team toiled diligently within a tent at SpaceX’s facility in Texas, culminating in the unveiling of the first Model S prototype in California in 2009. Manufacturing finally began three years later at a facility previously owned by Toyota and GM, which Tesla acquired in the wake of the 2008 recession. The Roadster production had occurred in the service bays of a former Chevrolet dealership near San Francisco, before it ceased six months earlier.
The first 1,000 Model S vehicles produced were specially configured as limited-edition “Signature” models. These cars were equipped with a single electric motor, generating 362 hp and achieving a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds. A stronger variant, called the Signature Performance, featured a motor that produced 416 hp and could reach 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The Model S’s inaugural year included three configurations: one with a 60 kWh battery and two with an 85 kWh battery, reflecting specs similar to those of the Signature and Signature Performance models.
The Arrival Of The P85D
In 2014, during the Model S’s second year on the market, significant updates were introduced. The high-performance P85 variant was phased out in favor of the P85D, with the “D” signifying the addition of a dual motor setup. This dual-motor configuration marked a major enhancement by adding a front motor to complement the rear-mounted motor utilized in previous models. This setup has since been adopted as standard for performance electric vehicles, providing all-wheel drive traction without requiring a physical link between the front and rear axles.
This innovation produced an all-wheel-drive system with a total power output of 691 hp, allowing the P85D to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 3.2 seconds. The following year, in 2015, the 70D was introduced as a replacement for the previous 60 kWh variant, achieving a combined output of 514 hp, while a single-motor version was also available.
In 2016, the 85 kWh battery was substituted with a 90 kWh unit, leading to the introduction of the 90D and P90D models, which took over from the earlier configurations. The 90D offered 417 hp, whereas the high-performance P90D boasted an impressive 762 hp, enabling a remarkable difference of 1.4 seconds in their 0-60 times (4.2 vs. 2.8 seconds).
The 2017 Facelift
In mid-2016, as the Model S approached its third anniversary, Tesla announced that the iconic sedan would undergo a facelift, with new vehicles set to be available for the 2017 model year. The previously notable mock “grille” of the older Model S was replaced by a continuous body panel design, fostering a greater conceptual distance between the Model S and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The vision shifted from blending in with ICE designs to crafting a distinctive, futuristic look that symbolizes electric vehicles. The headlights received a redesign featuring full LED technology and a mechanism that enabled adaptive illumination during turns.
The reintroduced 60 kWh variant emerged as an all-wheel-drive dual-motor version dubbed the 60D. At this point, over-the-air updates began to gain popularity with Tesla leading the charge. This allowed customers to increase their 60D’s battery capacity to 75 kWh through an over-the-air update, adding approximately 40 miles of range. Nonetheless, the 60D did not last long, being discontinued in early 2017 to pave the way for more premium, higher-capacity variants that included the new 100D and P100D for the 2017 model year.
A New Lineup
In 2019, a significant overhaul occurred when Tesla introduced a new naming convention for the Model S lineup, replacing the 75D, 100D, and P100D with familiar names: Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance. However, the Standard Range variant was short-lived, discontinued later that same year. Throughout the years, the Model S has consistently improved in performance metrics, with the Performance model now generating 754 hp and recording a 0-60 time under 2.5 seconds. In 2020, the Long Range Plus replaced the preceding Long Range model, marking the first Model S variant to surpass 400 miles of driving range.
The Palladium Project And Beyond
Just two years after the facelifted Model S hit the market, Tesla launched its next major update, known internally as the “Palladium” project. This redesign resulted in the highest-performing Model S variants to date, transforming it into a high-performance sedan capable of competing with supercars. Unveiled in January 2021, the new Model S features an unmatched drag coefficient of 0.208, along with the introduction of a tri-motor version, the Plaid. The combined power output from the three motors exceeds 1,020 hp, enabling an incredible 0-60 acceleration time of just 1.98 seconds. In 2023, the Standard Range model rejoined the lineup after being absent for four years. While one might think the Model S has minimal potential for further advancements, Tesla has a history of surprising consumers, especially with ongoing, significant over-the-air updates that may unveil additional features.
Conclusion: Are Model Generations A Thing Of The Past?
In essence, the lack of a second generation for the Model S is because it already exists in a transformed state. While technically the Model S remains in its first generation, nearly all of its mechanical elements have undergone substantial enhancements. The Model S currently available for purchase shares little in common with the original version released a decade ago. Various earlier trims and variants have been retired, with new iterations introduced at an accelerated pace.
This evolution reflects Tesla’s unique approach to the automotive industry, positioning itself as an innovative disruptor that operates differently than traditional automakers. Their strategy involves implementing changes and updates continually, sometimes even mid-model year, as opposed to adhering to a strict schedule. Consequently, conventional concepts of model years and generations seem increasingly outdated, especially in an era where over-the-air updates can substantially modify an already sold vehicle parked in a customer’s driveway.
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