USA: Tesla launches ‘Standard Range’ Model S and X

Tesla launched a new ‘Standard Range’ version of the Model S and Model X in the US. It costs 10,000 dollars less than the previous basic ‘Long Range’ variant, but (obviously) has a shorter range. The latter is limited by software.

The Model S can drive 85 miles or 137 kilometres less on one charge than the ‘Long Range’. In the case of the Model X, it is 79 miles (127 kilometres) less. The Model S ‘Standard Range’ is priced from $78,490 in the US configurator, with a range specification of 320 miles (515 kilometres). The Model X ‘Standard Range’ costs $10,000 more, or $88,490. According to EPA estimates, 269 miles or 433 kilometres are possible with one battery charge.

Incidentally, the basic versions of the Model S and Model X now introduced bear the additional designation ‘Standard Range’ again. For the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla had dropped this designation for its LFP models with rear-wheel drive, and the basic versions no longer have a name suffix.

BREAKING: @Tesla has launched an all-new Standard Range Model S and Model X in North America. Both are $10k less than the Long Range Model S/X.

Model S Standard Range:
• $78,490
• 320 mile range
• 3.7s 0-60MPH

Model X Standard Range:
• $88,490
• 269 mile range
• 4.4s… pic.twitter.com/q6QQs60btO

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 15, 2023

In the two luxury-class models, the difference between ‘Standard Range’ and ‘Long Range’ lies only in the available battery capacity, not the battery and the drive itself. According to the generally well-informed social media user Sawyer Merritt, Tesla confirmed that the new ‘Standard Range’ variants are only limited by software and do not use LFP batteries. The basic versions of the Model 3 and Model Y are known to use a smaller battery with LFP cell chemistry, and the basic models here also only have a motor on the rear axle. The new ‘Standard Range’ variants of the Model S and X continue to use all-wheel drive and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in 3.7 and 4.0 seconds, respectively.

But: the peak power is lower than in the ‘Long Range’ variants. According to the Tesla website, peak power is 493 kW (original specification 670 hp) for the latter and 381 kW (491 hp) for the ‘Standard Range’. The top speed is 240 kph in both cases. Both variants weigh 2,068 kilograms and can charge with up to 250 kW at the Supercharger.

Unlike the previous Model S 60, which was a software-limited Model S 75, there will be no option to unlock the full range of the Long Range via update – even if the necessary battery for this is installed in the vehicle. “Tesla does not plan to offer firmware upgrades to unlock more range or performance in the future,” Merritt claims.

According to Telsa’s US website, deliveries will start as early as September. The new ‘Standard Range’ version is not yet listed in the configurator in Europe.

electrek.co, twitter.com, twitter.com, tesla.com (Model S), tesla.com (Technical data Model X)