Tesla’s updated Model S and Model X are here, but you have to look very closely to see the differences.
Tesla’s own list of highlights for the new Model S and X starts with a new color option, Frost Blue, which tells you that this is just a retouch of the company’s premium models.
Other highlights include:
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quieter cabins, with less wind and road noise and more effective Active Noise Cancellation
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new wheel designs with improved aerodynamics
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improved front fascia camera with better visibility
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dynamic ambient lighting, with “unique animations along the dash & doors upon entry”
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improved suspension design for a smoother ride
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adaptive driving beams
That’s for both the Model S and the Model X, but there are a couple of specific improvements for each model, respectively.
The 21-inch Velarium wheels are a $4,500 option.
Credit: Tesla
For the Model S:
Mashable Light Speed
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The Model S Long Range now has up to 410 miles of range, making it the longest-range Tesla in the company’s lineup
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Model S Plaid has new exterior styling, which the company says is optimized for high-speed stability
For the Model X:
In terms of exterior styling, the cars are very similar to what they were before; the Frost Blue color, which is a $2,500 option for both the Model S and Model X, as well as new wheels, will make the biggest difference.
The wheel options now include the 20-inch Perihelix and the 22-inch Machina wheels for the Model X, and the 19-inch Magnetite, and the 21-inch Velarium wheels for the Model S.
The headlights are now adaptive. The new, 22-inch Machina are an optional, $5,500 upgrade.
Credit: Tesla
Inside, the new, customizable ambient lighting is the thing that’ll make the biggest difference, though that’s merely catching up to the new Model 3 and Model Y, which got the ambient lighting as part of their most recent upgrade.
Woohoo, ambient lighting is here!
Credit: Tesla
As for the Model X’s improved third-row space, that could be a big deal for people who often haul more than five passengers, but Tesla didn’t share any details and it’s hard to judge the differences based on official photos alone.
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Potential customers won’t like the fact that both the Model S and Model X now cost $5,000 more than before. The starting price for the Model S is now $84,990, while the Model X now starts at $89,990. That’s for the All-Wheel Drive variants; if you want the Plaid versions, they start at $99,990, and $104,990, respectively.
