Take a Few Years Off: Tesla Model S Owners Can Now Put a New Face on Their Old Ride

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

When Tesla updated the front end styling of its Model S earlier this year, existing owners must have groaned, knowing that their ecologically sensitive status symbol would now look dated.

Well, an aftermarket parts company that specializes solely in Tesla add-ons has a solution. Unplugged Performance is offering an updated front fascia that can be mated to any 2012–2016 Model S, allowing older models to adopt the Model 3-esque looks of the current offering.

It’s literally plastic surgery for your car.

The new face comes with a front spoiler, meaning there will be a slight visual difference between an Unplugged Performance refresh and a new Model S. Having any “85” badging on the rear of the car will also give away your secret, but is that really a big concern? The Secret Service updated the appearance of presidential limousines for decades.

The California company posted a question and answer session on its website, hoping to sway potential buyers worried about crewing up something important on their vehicle. For starters, they say the new fascia won’t mess with Autopilot sensors or the Park Assist system. Cooling shouldn’t be affected, either.

Installing the fascia takes about three hours, the company says, and the unit doesn’t come pre-painted. You’ll also have to transfer the Tesla logo from your bound-for-eBay front to the new one. The company recommends choosing a professional body shop for painting and installation, which will add some extra cost on top of the fascia’s $2,995 price. According to their website, buyers will get a $500 discount if they order before July 1.

With the Model 3 on the way (eventually), Unplugged Performance claims it’s busy planning upgrades for owners of the $35,000 wondercar. Production isn’t expected to kick off until late 2017, so they’ll have a fair bit of time to work on those.

[Image: Tesla Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Islander800 Islander800 on Jun 17, 2016

    Are you friggin' kidding me? They took a front facia that evoked the look of a Jag and gave it an Apple/Google dork face? Ground control to Elon - get a grip!

  • Shaker Shaker on Jun 18, 2016

    The same company will offer a kit to make a Model 3 look like the "old" Model S.

    • Old Man Pants Old Man Pants on Jun 18, 2016

      How 'bout like a Karmann Ghia instead of Mole Mobile? Wouldn't an EV Ghia be the cat's azz?

  • MaintenanceCosts Poorly packaged, oddly proportioned small CUV with an unrefined hybrid powertrain and a luxury-market price? Who wouldn't want it?
  • MaintenanceCosts Who knows whether it rides or handles acceptably or whether it chews up a set of tires in 5000 miles, but we definitely know it has a "mature stance."Sounds like JUST the kind of previous owner you'd want…
  • 28-Cars-Later Nissan will be very fortunate to not be in the Japanese equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization over the next 36 months, "getting rolling" is a luxury (also, I see what you did there).
  • MaintenanceCosts RAM! RAM! RAM! ...... the child in the crosswalk that you can't see over the hood of this factory-lifted beast.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Yes all the Older Land Cruiser’s and samurai’s have gone up here as well. I’ve taken both vehicle ps on some pretty rough roads exploring old mine shafts etc. I bought mine right before I deployed back in 08 and got it for $4000 and also bought another that is non running for parts, got a complete engine, drive train. The mice love it unfortunately.
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