You'd never say the Model S was going on 11 years old, as 2021's facelift made minimal changes that keep the design up to date. At the time, the hood was made a bit sleeker, and the haunches more pronounced. Tesla carried over most of the design elements we know and love. Since there is no engine, it doesn't need a grille. Instead, you get a minimalist sliver with the now-famous Tesla badge. The door handles are still flush, and the rear lights remain connected by a single trim piece. Plaid models have a subtle rear spoiler and diffuser. The standard 19-inch Tempest wheels can be upgraded to 21-inch Arachnid wheels, although these bigger wheels do have a negative impact on the car's range. The sedan also comes with a glass roof, a rear liftgate with automatic closing/opening, LED headlights, and LED foglights.
The Model S Plaid carries an S-Class-like price, but it's more comparable with the E-Class in terms of dimensions. It's 197.7 inches long, 78.2 inches wide excluding the mirrors (86.2 inches with them), and 56.3 inches tall, with a five-inch ground clearance, in its normal suspension setting. Cheetah stance drops its height to 55.1 inches. The body rides on a skateboard platform with a 116.5-inch wheelbase.
Electric cars all have a weight problem, and the Plaid is no exception. It has a claimed curb weight of 4,766 pounds. To put that into perspective, the BMW M5, which is already a heavyweight, weighs 4,345 lbs. On the plus side, you'd never be able to tell thanks to that instant power delivery.
Tesla Model S Plaid Trims | Plaid |
---|---|
Max Width | 78.2 in. |
Length | 197.7 in. |
Height | 56.3 in. |
Wheelbase | 116.5 in. |
Tesla Model S Plaid Trims | Curb Weight |
---|---|
Plaid | 4,766 lbs. |
Front Tire | P255/45WR19 |
Rear Tire | P285/40WR19 |
Wheels Type | Aluminum Wheels |
Front Wheel Size | 19" x 9.5" |
Rear Wheel Size | 19" x 10.5" |
Tesla's color palette is disappointingly small. Only the five colors are available, completely inhibiting your creativity. Pearl White Multi-Coat is standard, while Solid Black, Midnight Silver Metallic, and Deep Blue Metallic retail for $1,500 each. This year, Ultra Red replaces last year's Red Multi-Coat, and it costs $3,000.
Some model-specific colors would have been nice. The Plaid is the kind of car you want to boast about, so why not include more exuberant oranges, yellows, or greens? Perhaps even the option of a Plaid exterior. That would be Meta.