Tesla Model S Plaid price hits $170,000 with $20,000 carbon fiber brakes

When Tesla originally introduced the Model S for the 2012 model year, the all-electric sedan carried a starting price of less than $60,000. Fast forward a decade later, the cheapest version of the EV will set you back $94,990 for the base model without any options. Tick all the boxes and opt for the tri-motor Plaid trim level and the final bill is going to be substantially bigger.

Math starts at $129,990 for the Plaid and then you add $2,500 for this attractive Red Multi-Coat paint and $4,500 for the optional 21-inch Arachnid wheels. Going for the larger alloys (standard set measures 17 inches) now unlocks the possibility to get the Model S with carbon-ceramic brakes for the first time. It’s the most expensive version Tesla is offering for its high-end EV as it costs a whopping $20,000.

A black and white or a cream interior cabin costs $2,000 and you can add Full Self-Driving Capability for an additional $10,000. All in, you’re looking at a 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid that costs nearly $170,000. Needless to say, the final asking price does not include any applicable EV incentives. For that kind of money, you can buy a Porsche Taycan Turbo with about $20,000 worth of options.

Now, about those newly introduced carbon-ceramic brakes. The Palo Alto manufacturer says it has been “designed for the ultimate track experience.” Tesla goes on to describe it as being a “complete hardware package that delivers maximum, repeatable stopping power during high-performance driving.”

It is worth mentioning the carbon-ceramic brakes won’t be available to order until the middle of next year. Here is what the complete package offers:

• 2x 410 x 40mm carbon-silicon carbide front rotors;
• 2x 410 x 32mm carbon-silicon carbide rear rotors;
• 2x 6-piston one-piece, forged front calipers;
• 2x 4-piston one-piece, forged rear calipers;
• 2x integrated, caliper-mounted parking brakes;
• 4x high-performance front brake pads;
• 4x high-performance rear brake pads;
• 1x bottle of high-temperature brake fluid.

Source: Tesla | Images Courtesy of Tesla, Inc