Already Tired of Waiting for a Model 3? Tesla Just Dropped a Cheaper Model S
The reshuffling of Tesla’s lineup continues, with the electric automaker announcing a base Model S sedan with less range and a lower starting price.
The 70 kWh entry-level battery is gone, replaced by a 60 kWh juice box that lowers range to 210 miles, similar to the upcoming Model 3, but in a vehicle you can have in your driveway next month.
Tesla, which tweeted out the announcement this morning, plans to offer the rear-drive Model S 60 for $66,000, or $5,200 less than the 2016 Model S 70 that preceded it. After all government incentives are applied, that price drops to $58,500.
Adding all-wheel drive adds $5,000 to the new base price (and eight miles of range), but if range is the only thing that matters, the model can be optioned with the Model X’s 75 kWh battery (offering 19 percent more range, or 259 miles) for $8,500.
The automaker says the base model makes the 0–60 mile per hour run in 5.5 seconds, the same as the last 60 kWh version (which the company discontinued in early 2015). That older battery had an EPA-rated range of 208 miles.
Model S sales tapered off in May, possibly due to boosted production of the range-topping Model X. By offering a less expensive Model S, Tesla CEO Elon Musk clearly hopes to open up the model to a crop of buyers who once found the model to be just outside their price range.
Though the Model S now carries less cost, it’s by no means a mainstream vehicle. The new base price would get you into a BMW 550i, meaning the wait continues for Tesla fans of modest means. Despite a host of challenges, production of the $35,000 Model 3 is still scheduled for late 2017, though new buyers could wait until 2019 before taking ownership.
[Image: Tesla Motors]
More by Steph Willems
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It's worth noting that these cars have the same battery as the 75 kWh model but it is software limiting you to using 60 kWh of capacity. I guess it's nice that this lets you pay to unlock it later, but I think I'd be pretty annoyed at spending that kind of money for a car that is specifically hobbled with what amounts to DLC to unlock its full potential.
Not exactly a "Cheaper Model S" so much as broadening the gap between the base model and the premium model. The S-75 comes too close to the S-90 in capabilities and was cannibalizing sales from the higher-end model. So pull the base model down and extend the difference between bottom and top.
"Cheaper" until you add back in all the crap you want or need and then you are back to square one. Ha Ha.
I think I'd still rather get a Model 3 and spend some of the difference on the upgrades to AWD, a larger battery pack, etc. than to have a stripped down Model S. But it does make it a lot more tempting to get a Model S and the lease prices have also dropped quite a bit. Either way though I live in NY state and they just announced an EV credit that hasn't actually been activated yet so it'd be pretty idiotic to buy right before they start offering an incentive. Unfortunately since I live in NY the RWD model is a no go.