Tesla has delivered some visual and physical improvements to its flagship Model S and Model X electric vehicles, including new paint colour, brakes, and glass roof.
For its top-of-the-range Model S sedan, the four areas Tesla has improved include:
- New paint colour
- New glass roof
- New brakes
- Round steering wheel option
The new paint made available replaces the existing premium multi-coat red which Tesla now calls “Ultra Red Paint”.
Tesla in an email to customers described the new paint as a “high-chroma colour and multi-layered paint process that delivers an exceptionally vibrant finish – exclusive to new Model S and Model X vehicles.”
To showcase the new paint, the EV car maker released a video on its Twitter page:
Introducing Ultra Red paint for Model S & X pic.twitter.com/CFT1sdyIr1
— Tesla (@Tesla) March 9, 2023
The new paint appears to be darker than the existing multi-coat red but doesn’t go as far as the Midnight Chery Red being offered on the Berlin-made Model Y vehicles.
At the opening of the Berlin factory, Tesla highlighted that it has the most advanced automotive paint shop in the world.
Other improvements on the Model S include a new glass roof that allows more light in the cabin without compromising on heat or UV protection.
The new brakes on the Model S Plaid have better heat dissipation and have red callipers: “Plaid brakes now feature new pads with higher thermal capability – plus red callipers for a sharper aesthetic,” Tesla says.
Many generations of performance-orientated brake callipers have been red in the Tesla line up including the Model 3 and Model Y Performance models in Australia.
It’s good to see beefier brakes coming to the Plaid which outputs more than double the power of the Model 3 Performance with its tri-motor drivetrain.
The final update includes the addition of a conventional steering wheel option, instead of the Yoke for those who didn’t find the Yoke very appealing.
These changes come on the back of Tesla recently dropping prices on both the Model S and Model X earlier this month.
BREAKING: @Tesla has reduced the starting prices of the Model S & Model X in the US.
• Model S AWD: $89,990 (from $94,990)
• Model S Plaid: $109,990 (from $114,990)
• Model X AWD: $99,990 (from $109,990)
• Model X Plaid: $109,990 (from $119,990)Model S/X Plaid are now the… https://t.co/VnACjToNMG pic.twitter.com/YACFu3BCS2
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 6, 2023
The additional enhancements, price drops and availability will likely make the Model S and Model X more attractive to more buyers in the left-hand-drive markets.
In Australia, many current order holders have been waiting over 18 months for an update on their order. We hope to see the latest Model S and Model X land in the next nine months.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.