Tesla Introduces A New Base Model S With More Range, AWD

[William Maley]

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Tesla is apparently full of surprises. This morning, the Californian electric automaker announced the Model S 70D which will replace the 60 as the base model.

The 70D packs a larger 70-kWh battery pack which increases range from 208 miles to 240. The D in the 70D means this is packing Tesla's dual-motor all-wheel-drive system which provides a total output of 514 horsepower. This increase in power drops 0-60 from 5.9 to 5.2 seconds.

Other changes on the 70D include Tesla’s Supercharging DC fast-charger installed and the and the Autopilot semi-autonomous system.

As for price, the Model S 70D will start off at $75,000, about $4,000 more than the Model S 60.

Source: Tesla Motors

Press Release is on Page 2

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Introducing the All-Wheel Drive Model S 70D

Today, we are introducing the Model S 70D, an all-wheel drive electric car with a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds and a 250 mile range at 65 mph.

Even at a starting price of $75k, the Model S 70D offers a broad and compelling set of features. Moreover, when one factors in the cost advantages over an internal combustion engine vehicle, including fuel savings and incentives, the actual cost of owning Model S 70D comes to about $55k over five years (the average length of new car ownership).

In addition to having independently operational front and rear motors, the 70D includes Supercharging to enable free long-distance travel, Autopilot hardware, navigation, blind spot detection and many other features. As with every Model S, the 70D will receive free over-the-air updates that add functionality and improve the driving experience for years to come.

Starting today, you can also order any Models S in three new colors: Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black, and Warm Silver.

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[G. David Felt]

Will be interesting to see how the other luxury brands respond to this with their own products.

[Drew Dowdell]

Nice! Supercharging is now included in the base options! 

 

Z-06 and I got a great explanation about the dual motor system in Detroit.   Apparently the front motor is smaller and thus uses less energy to run, so when you're on an easy highway cruise, the car runs as a front driver and sips less juice. 

[G. David Felt]

That is very cool to hear so AWD for more challanging weather and terrain but for flat highway cruising FWD mode for EV Efficiency. That is smart and will truly start to change the way people see auto's. I like the 240 mile range if that is real world results along with the supercharging. Now to get this to recharge like a petrol auto and we are there.

[daves87rs]

Base model.....lol....

 

Still, not a bad idea...

[57caddy]

Okay. I admit it.  I must be too cheap because I chocked at the price tag. 

Sure, I was impressed with the mile range, understand the long term saving out of pocket, and fully advocate the concept, but I am going to take a pass.

Plus, don't really care for the new Ocean Blue color (yeah, I know it comes in other colors, but, just thought I would throw it out there).

[Escoda]

Still waiting on the cheaper models for business use, we've thought about buying one for the company to use on a calendar basis but by the time the car would've paid for itself wasn't worth it. The increase in range is great tho! And I'm still incredibly impressed with how fast it can go from 0-60 even everytime I encounter one at the stop lights, there's no use in trying to keep up with it. 

[Drew Dowdell]

Still waiting on the cheaper models for business use, we've thought about buying one for the company to use on a calendar basis but by the time the car would've paid for itself wasn't worth it. The increase in range is great tho! And I'm still incredibly impressed with how fast it can go from 0-60 even everytime I encounter one at the stop lights, there's no use in trying to keep up with it. 

 

I think you'll be waiting for the Tesla Model 3. It will be in the $35k range.

[balthazar]

Any updates on a projected intro for the Model 3?

It can't get here soon enough...

[G. David Felt]

Any updates on a projected intro for the Model 3?

It can't get here soon enough...

Suspect GM will Beat Tesla with the Bolt and steal their sales. This is why Tesla introduced the Home battery pack, they know their days are numbered as GM and others jump into the competition. Tesla cars look dated.

[balthazar]

There is a slight, '90s-era stylistic vibe to the model S, but it's still sleek enough to work as 'current'.

I'd like to see a MCE soon, tho.

 

But the company's future rides on the model 3; it doesn't get here ASAP and rake in buyers, the company is done.

[FAPTurbo]

There's ~25,000 Model X preorders, with each person forking over $5000 to be on the list. Just as the Cayenne is Porsche's most important vehicle, the Model X will be Tesla's. 

 

Suspect GM will Beat Tesla with the Bolt and steal their sales. This is why Tesla introduced the Home battery pack, they know their days are numbered as GM and others jump into the competition. Tesla cars look dated.

 

The Bolt doesn't compete against the Model 3. The only thing in common is that they're electric and have four wheels. That's like saying the Nissan Versa is a BMW 3 competitor. 

[G. David Felt]

There's ~25,000 Model X preorders, with each person forking over $5000 to be on the list. Just as the Cayenne is Porsche's most important vehicle, the Model X will be Tesla's. 

 

Suspect GM will Beat Tesla with the Bolt and steal their sales. This is why Tesla introduced the Home battery pack, they know their days are numbered as GM and others jump into the competition. Tesla cars look dated.

 

The Bolt doesn't compete against the Model 3. The only thing in common is that they're electric and have four wheels. That's like saying the Nissan Versa is a BMW 3 competitor. 

I disagree, All we have seen are pictures and allot of hyperbol and nothing to indicate that Tesla is really building a Model 3. They need to and hopefully will get the Model X CUV out the door thought I think without the gull wing doors.

 

The BOLT done right will and can compete in the 30K segment against the Model 3 from Tesla. I also suspect GM will get it out and successfully sell the heck out of it compared to Tesla.

[FAPTurbo]

The BOLT done right will and can compete in the 30K segment against the Model 3 from Tesla.

 

The Bolt is an FWD, crossover'y commuter thing that appeals to couples and small families. The Model 3 will be a RWD, BMW 3-Series competitor tuned for handling and performance. 

 

Aside from being electric and having a steering wheel, they're totally different markets. Cross-shopping will be minimal, and people looking at the Bolt will be considering the likes of the i3, or Nissan Leaf as real competitors. 

 

I also suspect GM will get it out and successfully sell the heck out of it compared to Tesla.

 

You mean the same GM that can't move more than 2,000 ELR's in a year-and-a-half, despite mountains of incentives? The same GM whose 'hybrid' models have been routinely routed by automotive press and have received lukewarm sales?

 

Tesla's done way more 'right's' than GM in this area. Remember, the Volt concept from 2007 was a response to the Tesla Roadster. 

 

Since that time, Tesla's bought NUMMI, has produced a wildly successful electric sedan, is about to debut a wildly successful electric crossover, established a continent-stretching charging station grid, and is constructing a massive battery factory the likes of which has never been seen before (and on American soil too).

 

Oh, and the Model S is Consumer Reports' best vehicle they've ever tested. GM's been making vehicles for like, a century, and the only way the corporate reliability improved was probably by dumping Pontiac. 

 

So after all this time, GM has a Chevy that gets ~40 miles range on electric with a design that's overshadowed by KIA's, and a Cadillac that nobody wants. Sure stuff is on the horizon, and maybe by the time the ELR's 700+ day supply has whittled down, GM will have a good electric that people want. 

 

#justsayin

[balthazar]

^ How do you quantify "wildly successful"? Test reviews & market acceptance are one thing, but not the only thing.

 

How many more dozen year spans are investors willing to wait to see the company break out of the red? Is it even one more span? This is why the model 3 is so tremendously important.

 

I would tend to agree that much cross shopping is unlikely between the 3 and the Bolt, but I'll hold final judgement to see how both products come out of the factory door first. One thing is very likely- the model 3 certainly won't be 'just a smaller Model S'. 

Edited May 16, 2015 by balthazar