Tesla Introduces 2 Cheaper Versions of Its Popular Model S

Tesla Introduces 2 Cheaper Versions of Its Popular Model S

2016-06-16 15:34:19

Tesla Motors had long promised to make their electric vehicles, EV’s, cheaper. This comes after the auto giant recently announced that it will soon be selling cheaper versions of Model S, namely, 60 and 60D, for £53,400 and £61,000 respectively in the UK market. This is a slight cut on prices of the current Model S that goes for around £74,000 and when delivered to customers, it may come over £100,000 after upgrades and before tax and incentives. Considering the numerous benefits that come with owning your very own smart car, these prices are very lucrative for the consumers. Other than giving value to the consumer and saving you some money, wider use of these cars means that we continue saving our environment.

This announcement came in a press release of the company’s spokeswoman, Keely Sulriziuo, who cited that most customers had asked for a cheaper Model S. This comes as Tesla Motors gears up to introduce the much cheaper Model 3 set to target middle class. It goes for about £35,000 and is set to be released in 2017.

Features of Model S 60 and 60D

Despite the price cut off, the vehicles will come with a number of features reduced. First, the battery packs for both cars will come with limited capacity. For example, both EV’s will have a battery pack capable of storing 75 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The batteries are also limited by a software that allows the battery pack to deliver on 60 kWh. If buyers of these models are interested in increasing the EV’s range in order to deliver the full 75kWh, they will be required to cough up about £6,000 to cater for a simple software upgrade after purchase. An upgrade of this battery pack at purchase will attract £4,500 said Joseph Spak, an analyst with RBC Capital.

Secondly, the vehicles will come with the Autopilot feature, synonymous with Tesla Motors. The software enables the car’s drive themselves. However, activating this feature will require a sum of £4,000 to be added to the car’s cost after it is delivered to interested buyers.

Finally, Tesla’s official site indicates that the 60kWh battery will offer over 200 miles in range for both EVs. Model S 60, a rear wheel drive EV will cover an estimated range of 200 miles on a single charge. It will also have a top speed of 130 mph and accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. For 60D, it will only cover 210 miles and do a zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Upon upgrading of the battery pack in either of the EV’s, owners are assured of an additional 40 miles of range.

History of Cheaper Model S

This is not Tesla’s first attempt to develop cheaper Model S power trains to its customers. Previously, Tesla Motors discontinued the production earlier cheaper variations of Model S. They were considering a Model S 40 that came with a battery pack of 40 kilowatt hour, and gave a 160 miles range on a single charge. However, the EV received little acclamation from customers, with only 4 percent of its customers placing orders for this vehicle, despite going for $57,400 in the US.

In addition, another Model S 60 had enjoyed production for a while till it was discontinued in 2015. Tesla had offered the EV for $69,000 in the US but clients at that time insisted on getting better powertrains in terms of performance, efficient and less expensive battery and motor combinations.

Success of These Models

The 2016 versions of Model S EV’s could enjoy better reception due to a number of factors. To begin with for over two years, the reputation of the automaker has grown not mentioning where the auto industry is moving to; the use of electric cars. This has been confirmed by AutoTrader.com senior analyst, Michelle Krebs.

Additionally, the ever ambitious automaker intends to deliver about 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles for the year 2016. This target has been set after the firm successfully produced 14, 820 units of EV’s, with Model S having 12, 851 and Model X having 2659. By 2018, the firm intends to clock the production of 500,000.

Latest on Model 3

The recently launched design of Model 3 has made over 400,000 clients made reservations for the vehicle before its official debut in late 2017. This is because, many customers are yet to receive the official real drive date of the vehicles. This and among many other factors have driven down Tesla’s shares by 0.7, trading at $233.94 as of close of business on Thursday, 9th June, 2016.

Reported By

SteveyG

Guest Editor