Tesla Launches Cheaper Model S & X Variants With Only 269-Mile EPA Range

The refreshed Model S and X are currently Tesla’s highest-end vehicles. As compared to the Model 3 and Y, which are more mass-market offerings, the Model S & X pack the best technology and features that Tesla has to offer.

The Model S & X, unlike the Model 3 and Y, come standard with a larger 17-inch central touchscreen, secondary and tertiary screens behind the steering wheel and the center console, powerful AMD GPUs similar to ones powering the PS5, active noise cancelation, and many more luxury perks.

In addition to the improved tech, the Model S & X also beat their smaller brethren on performance and range. The Model S has a 200mph top speed, a 1.9 second 0 to 60mph time, and 405 miles EPA range.

The Model X also has an impressive 2.5 seconds 0 to 60mph time, a 348-mile range, and a 149mph top speed.

The additional features, improved performance, and range make the Model S and X unequivocally a more premium vehicle than the Model 3 & Y.

Related News: Tesla Cuts Model Y Prices In China As It Continues Strategy Of Sacrificing Profit To Gain Market Share

Although this is great, the Model S & X also have a starting price significantly higher than the Model 3 & Y. Tesla’s Model 3 and Y after applying the federal tax incentive have a $40,240 and $32,740 starting price, respectively.

In contrast, the Model S & X Long Range vehicles have a starting price of $88,490 and $98,490, respectively. This puts the Model S & X starting price at more than double that of the Model 3 and Y.

That was the case at least until today. Earlier in the day, Tesla quietly updated the company’s online configurator and launched two new cheaper variants for the Model S and X. Tesla calls the new variants the Model S Standard Range and the Model X Standard Range.

The two Standard Range vehicles have a starting price significantly lower than that of the Long Range and Plaid variants. The Model S Standard Range starts at $78,490 and the Model X Standard Range Starts at $88,490.

The lower starting price to get into Tesla’s more premium and larger vehicles is great, however, the lowered prices also come with reduced range and performance numbers. The Model S Standard Range has a 3.7 seconds 0 to 60 time, a 320-mile EPA range, and a 149mph top speed.

The Model X Standard Range has a 4.4 seconds 0 to 60 time, 149mph top speed, and somewhat surprisingly only a 269-mile range. This makes the Model X Standard Range, the lowest range vehicle Tesla offers in the US and comes below the Giga Texas-built refreshed Model Y with 4680 cells and a structural battery pack.

The low range numbers are a bit concerning and raise questions about whether Tesla owners looking for more premium vehicles would indeed buy a car with only a 269-mile range.

An interesting note here, the new Model S & X variants despite the lower range, appear to have similar-sized battery packs to that of the Model S & X Long Range. This is confirmed due to the fact that Tesla has posted the weight of the new vehicles to be identical between the two variants.

It appears Tesla has created the Model S & X Standard Range by simply software locking the Model S & X Long Range battery packs. This means even if the demand for the Standard Range Model S & X isn’t as high as the EV maker expects, Tesla can simply software unlock those vehicles and sell them as Long Range variants.

If history is any indication, in the past Tesla’s attempts to introduce a lower-priced vehicle by simply software locking the battery pack haven’t garnered a lot of demand leading to the prompt discontinuation of the lower spec vehicles.

If a lower-range Model S & X variant with lower prices appeals to you then you should move quickly before Tesla most likely discontinues these vehicles.

Make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.

So what do you think? Excited to see cheaper versions of the Model S & X? Also, do you agree 269 miles is enough range for a premium vehicle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

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Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.