Tesla Model S: 10 Years Already for the Electric Sedan!

It still looks spectacular and recent, but the Tesla Model S is an aging legend in the automotive market, celebrating its tenth anniversary this week!

Although Tesla is synonymous with the Model 3, the best-selling electric car in France and Europe, we must not forget the big sister. Yes, the Model S still exists, despite its advanced age.

It was on June 22, 2012

On that day, a small event took place in Fremont, California (United States), at the Tesla factory. The first customers of the Model S and fans gathered to welcome the very first units of the electric car. The most impatient waited three years. They discovered the prototype in March 2009, before it went into production as a Tesla Motors vehicle after the Roadster based on Lotus.

At the time, the sedan already intrigued and amazed. Its design was signed by Franz von Holzhausen, hired away from Mazda. And three versions were already in the catalog: the Tesla Model S 40 (225 km range), S 60 (335 km), and the powerful 85 version with 426 km. Here, the ranges are based on the former optimistic cycle NEDC, but the American sedan was the benchmark in this regard. Moreover, it adopted the world’s first fast-charging network, Superchargers. With a power of 150 kW, the 85 kWh battery only needs 20 minutes to regain 50% charge!

In 2013, the “40” disappeared. Most notably, in September, the Tesla Model S arrived in France for the first time. Other versions followed with the dual-motor 85D, P85D, and 70D in 2014, and the P90D in 2015. The latter crossed the symbolic 500 km range mark. The production pace accelerated: from 22,000 units in its first full year, the American electric surpassed 50,000 in 2015.

Facelift in 2017 and Autopilot

Then the 75 and 75D expanded the lineup, replacing the 70, before the facelift in 2016. With a new front end, the Tesla Model S introduced the high-end P100D, with 600 km range. Over-the-air updates appeared from 2017 to improve functionality and especially Autopilot. This name refers to the adaptive cruise control system capable of semi-automated driving on certain roads.

The pace was intense with over 100,000 units in 2017, including the Model X (the brand no longer provides detailed figures per vehicle). Becoming pricier compared to the Model 3 accessible under 40,000 euros, the Model S (and X) production slowed to reach 57,000 units in 2020. This accounted for only 11% of the brand’s total, surpassing 500,000 electric cars.

A return of the Model S at the end of 2022?

In 2021, the manufacturer updated its large sedan once again. However, due to prioritizing the Model 3 and Y, Tesla set aside the Model S. It is now produced only in small quantities after a manufacturing suspension (25,000 units that year). And it is only available in North America. Yes, on the official French site, it’s impossible to order!

But Tesla hopes to return to normal soon by relaunching the Model S—and its SUV counterpart, the Model X—in late 2022 on the European soil. Two versions are available, the Dual Motor with 652 km range, and the three-motor Plaid version. The Model S Plaid delivers 1,020 horsepower, deemed sufficient according to Elon Musk, who has canceled the other Plaid+ variant announced in 2019.

If the Dual Motor will exceed 100,000 euros, the Plaid should be negotiated around 150,000 euros.

Also read: Test Ford Mustang Mach-E: Electric at a gallop