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Tesla Refreshes Model S and Model X With Modest Upgrades and $5,000 Price Hike

Customer backlash over the $5,000 increase highlights Tesla’s struggle to sustain demand for its flagship EVs.

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A staff member looks at Tesla's new Model 3 sedan displayed next to Model X SUV at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
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Overview

  • Tesla raised starting prices for both long-range variants to $89,990 and Plaid trims to $104,990 after a uniform $5,000 bump.
  • The refreshed Model S Long Range now delivers up to 410 miles per charge, while both models benefit from improved aerodynamics, redesigned wheels and enhanced noise cancellation.
  • New additions include Frost Blue paint, dynamic ambient lighting, a front bumper camera for Autopilot and revised suspension for a quieter, smoother ride.
  • Tesla declined to add Cybertruck-style innovations such as steer-by-wire or an 800-volt battery pack, and the Model S Plaid picked up 26 pounds, cutting its top speed to 149 mph.
  • Deliveries of the Model S and X have plunged to a negligible share of Tesla’s output, underlining the company’s pivot toward higher-volume models.