Tesla Model S

The Model S has seen thousands of incremental improvements and production changes since the start of customer deliveries in 2012. In addition to the constant, small incremental changes to individual components, there have been several large step changes to the product of which buyers should be aware when making a purchasing decision. Below is a breakdown of these step changes and how they have impacted the product and the resale market.

 

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Model S was introduced with a rear-wheel drive powertrain with four trim levels based on battery size and performance: 40 kWh, 60kWh, 85 kWh and Performance 85 kWh (P85). While revolutionary for its time, it was noticeably sparse on interior creature comforts that were expected by some customers at this price point. Its revolutionary technology and driving performance outweighed these drawbacks and managed to win Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in its debut year. Tesla would go on to add more creature comforts over the years to improve the product and meet consumer expectations. Tesla’s priority at this time was to get the car into production and into the hands of customers as fast as possible, even at the expense of some features they knew they could implement later.

Trim Levels

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet. 
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

 

 

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Tesla introduced the first major update to the Model S platform by announcing their self-driving technology known as Autopilot, as well as the introduction of their all-wheel-drive platform known as “dual motor” or “D.” Cars built after September 2014 came with a single windshield-mounted front-facing camera supplied by the Israeli self-driving firm Mobileye, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a front-facing radar, which allowed it to autosteer on highways, among other features. Tesla continued to sell both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants during this time, but all cars had the Autopilot hardware installed from this date on.

Interior improvements were mostly limited to the introduction of the “Next Generation Seats,” made by the supplier Recaro. These seats featured a noticeable improvement in comfort as well as side bolstering. They were first introduced on the P85D and eventually were made available on all trim levels.

Trim Levels

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet.
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

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The first exterior refresh since the launch of the Model S in 2012, Tesla updated the front fascia to match the Model X design, replaced the headlights with a full LED design, added diffused running lights, updated rocker panels with a painted finish, and overhauled the rear diffuser with a sleeker design. The HEPA filter with bioweapon defense mode that had been on the Model X was brought over to the Model S at this time.

Trim Levels

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet.
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

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The first overhaul of Tesla’s Autopilot hardware since the introduction of the technology in 2014 marked the departure from the Mobileye-developed system in favor of a Tesla-designed system. Key differences included three front-facing cameras mounted in the windshield, four side-mounted cameras (two on each side), and the rear camera incorporated into the Autopilot system. Subsequent upgrades to this system were made in 2017 with Autopilot 2.5 and then in 2019 with Autopilot 3.0. Cars with Autopilot 2.0 and higher can be upgraded to Autopilot 3.0, which unlocks Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” capability (for an additional one-time or monthly subscription fee). 

 

Trim Levels

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet. 
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

 

 

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The most significant powertrain update since the introduction of dual motor in 2014, this update replaced the front motor on dual-motor variants and overhauled the air suspension system. The new front motor brought over technology from the Model 3: a permanent magnet synchronous reluctance electric motor, resulting in a 10% range increase. The air suspension was upgraded to a fully adaptive system, with noticeable improvements in handling and comfort, as well as more user customization.

 

Trim Levels

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet. 
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

 

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This is the most current version of the Model S. Cosmetic changes included a new front fascia and headlights, and noticeably wider fenders in the front and rear. The Model S received an updated thermal system, including the new heat pump technology from the Model 3 and Y. An improved cooling system allows for continuous high-speed performance and back-to-back quarter-mile runs. Faster supercharging times are also enabled by the improvements to the thermal system. Inside the car, the dash was shortened, allowing the front seats to come forward, increasing headroom in both the front and rear seats and increasing leg room and a deeper recline in the second row. The front touchscreen switched to a horizontal layout to match the Model 3 and Y, and the rear seats received a small infotainment touchscreen.

 

How to identify this generation on your speckr Spec Sheet. 
If your spec sheet shows one or more of the following specs, it is part of this generation. 

*Some Model S in this generation do not have any distinguishing trim level and are simply "Model S". These are the same vehicles as the "Dual Motor All Wheel Drive from the same generation.