Tesla Model S: Info, Power, Range, and Price

The Tesla Model S was the world’s first mass-produced luxury electric car in 2012, known for its fast charging, Autopilot, and high performance.

Presentation of the Electric Saloon

The founders of Tesla, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, aimed to “produce not only a sports car but also a more environmentally friendly vehicle than other high-end cars in its category.” In 2008, the company announced this model, a 100% electric saloon, shown as a prototype in 2009. The Tesla Model S is therefore a fully electric car on sale since June 22, 2012, priced at $57,400 in the United States before any government incentives.

In 2013, Tesla started selling the Model S in Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. It is Tesla’s second car model after the Tesla Roadster, which was discontinued. Sales of the Model S surpassed 100,000 units in October 2016 and 200,000 units in June 2017. The car continued to be produced in 2022, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The Tesla Model S has been called “the world’s first premium electric sedan.” It has won numerous awards, such as the 2013 Green Car of the Year, and was one of Time Magazine’s Top 25 Inventions of 2012. Finally, the Tesla Model S received its competitors quite late. Notable others include the Porsche Taycan in late 2019, the Audi e-tron GT in 2020, the Mercedes EQS in 2022, and the Lucid Air in 2023.

As the first mass-produced and sold electric car, the Tesla Model S is a luxury vehicle known for its impressive performance and design. The car features a luxurious interior, and its long range allows for extended travel without recharging. The Model S has received five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest cars on the market.

Dimensions and Interior of the Model S

Depending on the version and year, the length of the Tesla Model S ranges between 4.98 and 5.02 meters. This places this model in the category of very large electric, or even luxury, cars. The width is also close to two meters, while the height is about 1.44 meters. The vehicle has 4 proper seats in a spacious cabin, and it features a unique aspect: two trunks. The traditional rear trunk has a volume of 804 liters. It can be extended to 1,645 liters with the rear seat folded down, while the front trunk houses 59 liters. Regarding materials and dashboard design, Tesla favors minimalism with options between black and white.

In the center, the very large touchscreen has remained the same since 2012, through 2022. However, the software is updated remotely, keeping it very modern. A digital instrument cluster remains behind the steering wheel to display key driving information, unlike a Model 3 that does not have one. It is only after 2022 that the Model S adopts its little sister’s style with a brand-new interior. It features a horizontal screen, a more minimalist dashboard, and an all-new “yoke” steering wheel similar to an airplane’s.

Motor and Performance of the Tesla Model S

Like all electric vehicles, the Tesla Model S is equipped with an electric motor that produces instant torque. This propulsion allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2 seconds in the fastest versions.

Over its career, more than fifteen versions have existed. They can be grouped into two main categories:

• RWD versions, with two rear-wheel-drive motors, featuring a rear motor
• AWD “D” versions, with an additional motor at the front

At launch in 2012, the Tesla Model S was available in three versions: the 40 with 235 hp, the 60 with 302 hp, and the 80 with 367 hp. The numbers correspond to the battery size in kWh. In 2013, the 40 vanished, followed by the 60 which was replaced by the 70 in 2015, providing between 320 and 332 hp. Additional “P” variants increased power, reaching 420 hp on the P85, 469 hp on the P85D, and 539 hp on the P85DL.

After the 2017 facelift, the Tesla Model S moved upmarket with options such as the 90D, P90D, P90DL, 100D, and P100DL. In 2019, the American brand simplified its lineup to the Long Range and Performance versions. The latest evolution introduced the Plaid in 2022 in Europe, featuring very high performance with 1,020 hp and a top speed of 322 km/h.

Battery, Charging, and Range of the Sedan

The battery consists of lithium-ion cells that allow the car to travel up to 400 kilometers on a single charge at highway speeds before needing to recharge. The Model S 40 had a range of 260 km per charge, compared to 375 km for the 60, and around 500 km for the 80. The 100 kWh variants, made more common after 2017 on the Model S, surpass 600 km per charge depending on the European WLTP cycle.

Moreover, it is the fast charging capability that made the Tesla Model S a success. It was the only electric car to reach 150 kW at launch. It introduced its own fast-charging solution, Superchargers. Gradually, these Tesla-specific charging stations and larger batteries increased charging power to 200 kW. Consequently, different models can recharge from 10 to 80% in about 35 minutes.

Using a standard outlet, charging times depend on battery size: over 20 hours for the 40 version, up to 50 hours for the 100 kWh version. Fortunately, reinforced 3.7 kW outlets cut this time in half, and wall boxes of 7.4 kW reduce it by a factor of four (maximum 12 hours for a full charge).

Price and Versions of the Tesla Model S

Beyond its performance capabilities, the Model S also offers an impressive range of features, including LED headlights, heated seats and steering wheel, onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and large panoramic sunroofs for the front and rear seats.

The Tesla Model S is a luxury sedan renowned for its high-tech features, such as its “Autopilot” autonomous driving function. The car uses a set of sensors and cameras to drive automatically, change lanes, and maintain distance with other vehicles. It can also park on its own in a garage or on the street, via the Tesla app.

In terms of pricing, it’s difficult to give a fixed figure as it varies by model and changes constantly. It started between €64,760 and €89,400 in France in 2013. For example, at the end of 2018, it ranged from €82,800 to €142,800. The only price for the Tesla Model S available as of November 1, 2022, is for the Plaid version. It costs €138,900 or €1,608/month for a 48-month lease contract (with a €12,000 deposit).

Photos of the Tesla Model S Alpha Concept 2008

Gallery of the Tesla Model S 2013

Photos of the Tesla Model S 2017