Actually, two separate recalls. The first one impacts no fewer than 356,039 Model 3 sedans produced for the 2017 to 2020 model years. These may have a problem with the coaxial cable necessary to send the rearview camera’s feed to the center screen. There’s a risk this cable will wear excessively in time by opening and closing the trunk lid. If that happens, the driver won’t be able to use the backup camera anymore. That might not seem such a big deal, but the camera has been mandatory on all new cars sold since May 1, 2018.

Affected owners will have to bring in their Model 3s to a Tesla shop where the service department will inspect the vehicle and replace the coaxial cable if necessary. A guide protector will be installed to diminish the bend angle after closing the trunk. Those who have taken matters into their own hands by fixing the issue already should get their money back from the company. It’s not a problem on newer cars (2021 and 2022 model years) since Tesla has solved the problem by tweaking the harness.

As for the second recall, it affects 119,009 units of the 2014-2021 Model S, which are prone to have a problematic secondary latch for the front trunk. The documentation provided by the NHTSA says the issue stems from an improperly aligned latch assembly, which might lead to the frunk opening when the electric sedan is moving.

Tesla’s technicians will have to inspect these cars and reposition the latch in case it’s necessary. If your Model S already had this problem and has since been fixed, the company should reimburse you.

A combined 475,318 Model 3 and Model S sedans are being recalled.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (1), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2)

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Tesla introduced software update 2021.44.5 this week, which effectively turns on a newly added Active Road Noise Reduction function. According to the Palo Alto EV manufacturer, it “reduces road noise by creating quiet zones near headrests.” The company is giving owners the choice to have the feature turned on or off, so you’re not going to be stuck with it should you prefer to hear road imperfections.

Early impressions provided by people who have tested the new feature say Active Road Noise Reduction works on a rather subtle level. It does make a difference, but the noise-canceling microphones do not bring a major improvement in terms of making the cabin quieter. However, that could change with time as Tesla might perfect the software and upgrade the function to have a more noticeable impact.

Here is the full description provided by Tesla in the release note: “Your vehicle now has the ability to actively reduce low-frequency road noise while driving on rough surfaces. To accomplish this, the system uses the seat microphones to measure the noise in the cabin, then generates anti-noise through the speakers to create quiet zones around the occupants. To access, tap Audio Settings > Options > Activate Road Noise Reduction.”

It should be mentioned noise-canceling technology inside a luxury car is not a new feature as it has been around for many years. As a matter of fact, it’s not just premium brands that offer this setup as even mainstream models such as the Honda Accord and Nissan Maxima feature active noise cancellation. It makes sense Tesla is also adopting this system for its two high-end models, and we won’t be too surprised if it will eventually trickle down to its more affordable products.

Seeing as how the Cybertruck coming late next year will have massive and chunky tires, the all-electric pickup could certainly use this feature.

Source: Tesla, Michael Hopwood / YouTube

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According to Electrek, Tesla is currently sending out e-mails to customers from outside of North America, informing them it’s no longer possible to order either of the two models. The reason being is the EV manufacturer is prioritizing the United States to clear out the current backlog of orders before once again restarting sales in other parts of the world.

It does not come as a big surprise the Model S and Model X are hot commodities seeing as how the cars were not available for several months. It’s especially true for the SUV of which deliveries of the refreshed variant only started a couple of months ago. While the two cars were on a hiatus following their reveal in early 2021, Tesla kept taking orders, even though the Model S did not enter production until June.

There is a silver lining in all of this, provided you are willing to wait. European customers as well as buyers from other regions across the world will be able to order the Model S and Model X once again in the latter half of 2022. It will have been a year and a half without the two premium electric vehicles on the Old Continent as the two were retired when the refreshed models were unveiled at the end of January.

In the meantime, Tesla’s website for the United States shows the Model S base model with estimated delivery in July 2022 whereas the high-performance Plaid can be in your garage as early as this month. As for the Model X, the standard trim level won’t be delivered until January 2023 (yes, you’ve read that correctly) compared the Plaid’s estimated delivery in October 2022.

Source: Electrek

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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

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If there is a silver lining in all of this, it’s that pricing for the high-performance Plaid version has remained the same. In other words, the Tesla Model S Plaid continues to kick off from $129,990 whereas the Model X Plaid is going to set you back $119,990. As a side note, we find it a bit unusual for the Model X to be the more affordable offering considering SUVs are typically more expensive than their sedan counterparts, regardless if we’re talking about electric or combustion-engined vehicles.

The Model X’s price increase comes as a surprise seeing as how Tesla only started customer deliveries of the updated model a few days ago. Ordering the Long Range today means you’ll have to patiently wait until September 2022 to take delivery, but you can get the electric SUV sooner provided you step up to the Plaid as the sporty one is listed with an estimated delivery time of July.

As far as the Model S is concerned, Tesla’s website shows the Long Range with June as being the estimated delivery time. Upgrading to the Plaid version of the all-electric sedan will get you behind the wheel of the speedy EV as early as this December.

As always, those who are not willing to wait so long can pick one of the pre-built vehicles from the existing inventory. The delivery times for newly configured vehicles could drop in the following months taking into account Tesla has yet to fully ramp up production of the Model S and Model X. It remains to be seen whether the backlog will indeed decrease as the Palo Alto company has the tendency to be rather unpredictable.

Source: Tesla

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The price bump seems a little bit strange when you take into consideration very few Long Range versions of the Model S Refresh have been delivered so far. As most of you know, Tesla decided to prioritize the launch of the high-performance, tri-motor Plaid version, which as it stands, costs from $129,990.

Ordering a Model S Long Range today means you’ll be taking delivery between March and April 2022 while stepping up to the Plaid will cut the waiting time to January or February next year. It can only mean Tesla is unable to match production output with customer demand, and corroborated with the frustratingly long string of price bumps, it could make some people choose the competition instead.

The Mercedes EQS is about to hit the market and we also know the smaller and more affordable EQE will be unveiled in September at the IAA Munich show. Not only that, but the Porsche Taycan was recently joined by its Audi sibling in the shape of the E-Tron GT. On the SUV side, the Model Y and Model X will soon have to face some stiff competition coming from the SUV versions of the EQE and EQS, which are both due in 2022. The Audi Q6 E-Tron is also coming out next year and will be followed in 2023 by the Porsche Macan EV.

Elon Musk has put the blame on suppliers for these price increases, but even if that’s the case, other automakers simply don’t increase a car’s starting price overnight. The changes usually occur with the model year change, so once every 12 months. It’s frustrating to save money for a car you know costs $79,990, and in only a few weeks, the company decides to add $10,000 to the final bill with two $5,000 price bumps.

Source: Tesla

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It’s a minor decrease of seven miles compared to what the online configurator had been showing ever since the Model S Refresh was unveiled at the end of January. It’s a minor drop unlikely to be a deal-breaker, but it’s another disappointment following the cancelation of the Model S Plaid+ claimed to do 520 miles between charges.

Elon Musk recently said he doesn’t believe there is a need for an EV that can do over 400 miles. However, not all people agree with Tesla’s head honcho as the maximum range is available only when the battery is fully charged, but companies tend to recommend owners to charge to 80% to preserve the battery, so you’re realistically looking at a little over 300 miles.

Bear in mind the Model S Long Range’s 405-mile range is attainable only with the standard 19-inch Tempest wheels. Step up to the larger 21-inch alloys available for an extra $4,500 and the range will drop by 30 miles to an estimated 375 miles. It’s even lower if you have these wheels on the hot Plaid version (pictured above), which will cover 348 miles before running out of battery juice.

In the meantime, several other automakers are closing the gap. While the EPA rating for the Mercedes EQS has not been announced, the fullsize German luxury sedan promises to do 478 miles in the WLTP cycle, and while the EPA rating will be lower, it could match or even exceed the 405-mile rating of the Model S Long Range with the standard wheels. In addition, the Lucid Air has an EPA-estimated 517 miles, so it could be only a matter of time before Tesla will lose the EV range crown.

As a final note, it’s the second time in a matter of days Tesla updates its online configurator for the Model S after bumping the price tag of the Plaid by $10,000 along with eliminating the Plaid+.

Source: Tesla

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A closer look reveals the Model S Plaid had the highly controversial yoke steering wheel, while the Plaid badge on the trunk lid is a discreet reminder we’re not dealing with the base Long Range model. Finished in the optional Midnight Silver Metallic ($1,500) paint and riding on the 21-inch Arachnid wheels ($4,500), this is a high-end version with the Black & White interior ($2,000).

You can have this Model S Plaid specification for around $128,000 once you factor in the optional goodies, and add an extra $10,000 for the Full Self-Driving Capability. Some would argue the car looks a bit understated for the kind of money Tesla is asking, but there are subtle upgrades such as the trunk lid spoiler denoting it is the hot version.

Aside from the addition of a Plaid derivative and the implementation of a stalkless yoke-like steering wheel, the Model S Refresh also gets a new touchscreen for the infotainment system. You can see the 17-inch setup in the adjacent video, featuring a landscape orientation to replace the vertical setup of the older versions.

Ordering the Plaid today doesn’t mean you will have to wait a long time to drive one as Tesla’s website has the month of June as the estimated delivery time. It’s a different story for the Plaid+ as it’s currently not available to buy due to a big backlog of preorders. According to the company, new Plaid+ orders won’t be completed until mid-2022.

Source: Andre D / YouTube

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Ordering today a Model S Refresh in the Plaid configuration comes with an estimated delivery date of August or September, according to Tesla’s site. The tri-motor, all-wheel-drive electric sedan costs $119,990 and in return, you’ll get what the company describes as being the quickest-accelerating production vehicle in the world.

The technical specs are nothing short of amazing: 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, a top speed of 200 mph, and a quarter-mile time of 9.23 seconds at a trap speed of 155 mph. The Model S Plaid has a combined output of 1,020 horsepower and benefits from torque vectoring, while the estimated range between cycles stands at 390 miles.

Tesla Model S Plaid delivery event
June 3 at our California factory

Fastest production car ever
0 to 60mph in under 2 secs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2021

What caused the delay? Several factors contributed to the Plaid’s slow start, including a new high-end version for the Model S and X being developed under what Tesla refers to as the Palladium program. During the earnings call with investors for the first quarter of 2021, Elon Musk explained the new iteration of the electric sedan boasts a different battery pack, electronics, and drive units.

Recent footage recorded at Laguna Seca has revealed a Model S Refresh Plaid undergoing high-speed testing and possibly trying to set a new lap record for an electric vehicle. Nothing is official at this point, but it is believed a time of just under 1 minute and 30 seconds has been achieved, albeit it might’ve been done with the beefier Plaid+ model.

Priced at $149,990, the Plaid+ will take even longer to hit the market. The bonkers 1,100-horsepower version has a mid-2022 delivery date on Tesla’s configurator if you place an order today.

Source: Elon Musk / Twitter

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The prototype used by Tesla had a normal steering wheel instead of the hugely controversial “yoke” from basically all the official press images. The configurator exclusively shows the yoke-like steering wheel, without the option of a regular setup offered before the Model S Refresh. It could be the automaker’s way of suggesting it will still offer a conventional setup for those who are not fond of the avant-garde setup.

There are also legal issues that must be considered as the yoke might not be approved all over the world due to safety concerns. The test vehicle featured here is not the only Model S Refresh we’ve seen with a traditional steering wheel, thus leading us to believe there will be an alternative to the love/hate yoke. However, we’ll have to wait for Tesla to confirm the return of the ol’ wheel and its stalks for the turn signals and Mercedes-esque gear selector.

Plaid winter testing pic.twitter.com/Zau1dWZD2U

— Tesla (@Tesla) February 19, 2021

As a refresher, the updated Model S in the tri-motor Plaid specification has a peak power of 1,020 hp and runs to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds on its way to 200 mph. It offers 390 miles of range between charges and can complete the quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds at 155 mph. Tesla claims it has the lowest drag coefficient of any production car available today, at just 0.208 Cd.

Priced at $111,990, the Plaid version has the shortest delivery time of the three Model S versions, with Tesla claiming it takes anywhere between three to eight weeks. The base Long Range ($79,990) has an estimated delivery time of five to eleven weeks while customer deliveries of the range-topping Plaid+ ($139,990) will commence towards the end of the year.

Source: Tesla

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