Tesla has given its oldest model an update inspired by its little brother.
The 2021 Tesla Model S and Model X have been revealed with a new interior design, headlined by a cut-down steering wheel with Ferrari-style controls for the indicators, wipers, and headlights.
The updated Model S won’t be in Australia until 2022, according to the current Tesla order page.
Tesla says the new wheel delivers “the ultimate focus on driving: no stalks, no shifting. With a stalkless steering yoke, you can enjoy both the best car to drive, and the best car to be driven in”.
There’s a new 2200×1300 display on the dashboard, home to what appears to be a similar infotainment system to the Model 3.
But the driver is also faced with a digital instrument binnacle, unlike in the minimalist Model 3, and there’s a third screen on the back of the centre console to entertain rear passengers.
Also new is the more conventional centre console design with more storage and dual wireless chargers.
Under the skin, Tesla says the new Model S and Model X feature the heat pump from the Model 3 and Model Y for better winter range.
Sitting atop the range are the new Model S and Model X Plaid. Tesla has already confirmed the Model S will get a new Plaid powertrain, taking the big sedan’s acceleration beyond its current ‘Ludicrous’ level.
Elon Musk has confirmed deliveries for the tri-motor Model S Plaid will start late in 2021, and revealed the car’s eye-popping performance figures.
The Model S Plaid will do the 60mph (97km/h) sprint in less than two seconds, and the quarter mile sprint in less than nine seconds thanks to its tri-motor all-wheel drive system.
Claimed top speed is north of 320km/h, and the powertrain lays down 820kW of power. Despite the wild performance, Tesla is promising a range of 835km between charges.
Mr Musk says the Plaid lapped Laguna Seca in 1:30.3, making it faster than the Lucid Air that stole the electric vehicle record from a Model S Plaid prototype earlier this year.
The goal for the Plaid is to better the 1:27.62 set by Randy Pobst in a McLaren Senna at Laguna Seca.
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