The new Tesla Model S Plaid is already rolling out

A slight redesign of the Tesla Model S is confirmed, but it is expected to give birth to an even more extreme Plaid version.

Tesla announced an important update for the Model S at the beginning of the year, but since then, there have been doubts about the manufacturer’s real desire to extend the life of its large and expensive sedan. However, the project is gaining momentum as a camouflaged prototype was spotted this week undergoing high-speed testing at the famous Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

This test effectively confirms the recent statements by Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of engineering, who announced that a facelift for the Model S and X is planned for late 2025.

Little Aesthetic, Much Technical

The images published by CarScoops show several visual changes, especially at the front and rear of the vehicle, both of which are covered to hide the details. However, a new more aggressive front bumper, a rear diffuser, and especially the expected arrival of a camera in the front bumper can be noted. Another visible new feature is the new 21-inch wheels, designed similarly to those of the Model 3 Performance, tested alongside the current model. In contrast, the overall silhouette and headlights appear unchanged.

During a podcast earlier this year, Moravy stated that Tesla is not abandoning its high-end models, even though their sales are lower than those of mass-market vehicles. He encouraged fans to be patient, suggesting that new developments are indeed in the works. Among the rumors about this update are an improved interior and a revamped interface to accommodate the latest version of the FSD autonomous driving software. For the record, the last update of the Model S dates back to early 2021, with the arrival of the yoke steering wheel and the ultra-high-performance Plaid version. However, sales have slowed down recently, prompting Tesla to respond.

No official date has been announced yet, but this new Model S is expected to arrive in late 2025 as a 2026 model. This appearance at the Nürburgring coincides with another test, that of a new Performance version of the Model Y.

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