Tesla offers lower cost “standard range” variants of flagship Model S and Model X EVs

Tesla has surprised many by launching cheaper variants of its flagship Model S sedan along with the Model X electric SUV for the North American market.

The new variants – called “standard range” have a lower range than previous offerings, but are around $US10,000 ($A15,400) cheaper than the previous entry level cars, although they are still powered by the dual-motor powertrain found in the non-Plaid variants.

Looking at the specifications of the new variants, the Model S Standard Range offers 515 km of range, which is down from 651 km in the Model S dual-motor variant. 

Similarly, the Model X Standard Range is lowered to 433 km on the environmental protection agency (EPA) test cycle.

Peak power output on the new entry Model S Standard Range is stated to be 366 kW, down from 500 kW found on the standard range models.

Acceleration has also been detuned on both new variants of the Model S and Model X. The Model S now sprints from 0-60 mph (0 – 97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds while the Model X covers the same sprint in 4.4 seconds.

Fast charging on both new Standard Range variants will still peak at 250 kW indicating that the battery and battery management system is similar to that found in the current dual-motor Model S and Model X.

The key attraction for the new models is the price. Both models are $US10,000 cheaper than the current base models. They now come in at:

• Model S Standard Range – $US78,490 (equivalent to $A121,590)
• Model X Standard Range – $US88,490 (equivalent to $A137,065)

The detuning in performance of both vehicles is not such a bad thing as the power offered in the Standard Range models is sufficient for many drivers who want to get from A to B in comfort.

Tesla, being a very data-driven company, has likely made this decision based on customer feedback and data collected from current Model S and Model X vehicles.

In the first half of 2023, Tesla produced just under 40,000 Model S and Model X vehicles, 19,437 of which were in Q1 followed by 19,489 in Q2.

The new variants are also heading outside of the US to Canada, but are unlikely to come to Australia after Tesla advised local order holders that Tesla does not intend to sell any Model S or Model X in a right-hand-drive market like Australia.

Deliveries of the new models start next month according to Tesla’s own vehicle configurator.