The Tesla Model S update features a radical steering stick, range of 520 miles

During your fourth quarter earnings announcement on Wednesday, Tesla surprised everyone by revealing the much-talked about update to its S sedan model. (The Model X SUV also received important updates.) On the outside, the Model S features a new front bumper with slightly different air intakes, an adjusted rear diffuser and new 19 and 21 inch wheel designs. The entire external finish now has a black finish to match the Model Y, but the paint color palette remains the same, with white being the only free option.

The renovated interior is the star of the show, however. It has been completely redesigned, marking the first major update of the Model S since its debut in 2012. There is a large 17-inch central display very similar to that of the Model 3 and Model Y, but the orientation has changed – it is horizontal in the portrait. OS maintains a 12.3-inch digital meter cluster in front of the driver, as well. Tesla says the new central screen is basically a gaming computer with 10 teraflops of processing power, and the images released show that it is running the popular fantasy role-playing game Witcher 3.

More radical is the new steering wheel. It is no longer exactly a wheel, instead it looks like a yoke out of Star Wars or Knight Rider. There are also no stems, which means that the turn signals, lights and other typical features are now controlled by touch buttons on the “wheel”.

There is more carbon fiber or wood finishes covering parts of the panel and door panels, and the door plates have been redesigned and appear to offer much-needed additional storage space. The new center console also has more storage space and looks much nicer, and has wireless charging for multiple devices. The rear seats look more sculpted and feature a new folding armrest with cup holders. Rear seat passengers receive an 8-inch screen that offers the same infotainment and gaming functions as the main screen and even works with wireless game controllers. The Model S has three-zone temperature control, an audio system with 22 speakers, heated seats around (and ventilated front seats), ambient lighting and a glass roof as standard. White, black and beige remain the only interior color options.

The Model S is now available in three different specifications. The $ 79,990 Long Range version has two engines and four-wheel drive, with Tesla citing a time of 3.1 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 412 miles. The $ 119,990 Plaid gets a third engine, “carbon sleeve rotors” and torque vectoring. The Plaid has 1,020 horsepower and has a 0 to 60 time of 2.0 seconds (Tesla technically says 1.99 seconds), a top speed of 320 km / h and a range of 390 miles.

Then there’s the $ 139,990 Plaid Plus, which is the big deal. Tesla says it has more than 1,100 hp and will reach 60 mph in less than 2 seconds. It also navigates in a quarter mile under 9 seconds, a top speed of 320 km / h and a range of more than 520 miles. Tesla also says that the Model S is now the most aerodynamic production car in the world, a statement probably reached by the Plaid Plus model

The only option besides color, finish and wheels is Complete set of Tesla driver assistance systems, which costs $ 10,000. (The basic Tesla autopilot configuration is standard.) The updated S model is available to order now, with Tesla saying that estimated deliveries for the long-range and chess models will begin in March. If you want the Plaid Plus model, you’ll be waiting until the end of 2021.

The renovated Tesla Model S has a Knight Rider steering wheel

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