Elon Musk: Tesla Model S Plaid To Have Structural Battery, 4680 Cells

[TMC Staff]

And the latest 4680 lithium-ion cells will make up the structure. Elon Musk has confirmed today that the upcoming Tesla Model S Plaid, scheduled for late 2021, will be equipped with the all-new structural battery pack, consisting of the all-new 4680 lithium-ion cells, announced at Tesla Battery Day. Tesla‘s CEO answered Whole Mars Catalog’s question “will plaid s have a...
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[bruce4000]

So I guess not for standard s and x. Elon commenting on this makes sense since Plaid so much more expensive it would only Osborne the Taycan.

 

[Darmie]

I'll be ready. Should be about the time for a good stock price to make the purchase as well. So the size of the pack may be 100kWh or lower!

 

[ElectricIAC]

I'll be ready. Should be about the time for a good stock price to make the purchase as well. So the size of the pack may be 100kWh or lower!

Not with “520mi range” and three motors to feed. I’d wager 130-150kWh.

 

[Ritz]

For the money, it will be a very "affordable" supercar. Tempting.

 

[JustADude]

So this will be a complete redesign on the car. They will need to use the same process as their unicast model y.

I wonder if they will even call it a model s. The s and x were more of an experiment, they have learned so much since then.

They have spoken about the vehicles being considered legacy.

I'm thinking it will keep the two screens but make the MCU a floating design to easier manufacturing and repair.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Acording to Sandy Monro, the new structural ("stronger than any brick") will give structural integrity better than any other car made. With the weight so low, and little flex, the suspension of the Plaid can be more precision than any other. Fantastic handling and feedback for the driver.

 

[PCTAZRichard]

Anyone else want that battery pic on a T-shirt? All that copper, it is almost hypnotic.

My wild guess is that the ‘S’ that comes out will be a new design combining both some of the current S and X features, and the X will go away. That’s a WAG, but maybe? No falcon wing doors, but maybe the auto open door on approach?

No doubt the new design will be polarizing, but with that kind of performance I suspect many will swallow their apprehension and learn to love it.

Any idea if there’s a downside to putting batteries in the frame (oversimplification but you get the point)?

 

[MichaelP90DL]

I'll be 75 by then. Should I think about replacing my 2020 MS Raven Performance with Plaid? Or should I just surrender to old age and try to be a chilled-out, front-porch-sitting, rocking-chair-bound, beer-sipping grandpa?

 

[Allanf]

I'll be 75 by then. Should I think about replacing my 2020 MS Raven Performance with Plaid? Or should I just surrender to old age and try to be a chilled-out, front-porch-sitting, rocking-chair-bound, beer-sipping grandpa?

Get your deposit in! .

Has there been any word of the number of deposits / orders to date for the Plaid? Maybe this will be announced at the time of the Q-3 earnings report.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Get your deposit in! .

Has there been any word of the number of deposits / orders to date for the Plaid? Maybe this will be announced at the time of the Q-3 earnings report.

Haven't heard anything.

 

[rlawson4]

For those of us that would prefer the most range versus the best performance, should we expect a "non-plaid" version with more range? If not, I may put down a deposit now.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Expect all the new tech to initially go into the newer cars like Plaid, New Coupe, Cybertruck. Regular production most likely will continue with the legacy cells.

 

[SageBrush]

This Plaid Model 'S' very much sounds like a 30% increase in range without an increase in vehicle weight.

Amazing

 

[Uncle Paul]

Plaid will need to shed weight in other places to offset the additonal weight of the 3rd motor.

 

[zecar]

So this will be a complete redesign on the car. They will need to use the same process as their unicast model y.

I wonder if they will even call it a model s. The s and x were more of an experiment, they have learned so much since then.

They have spoken about the vehicles being considered legacy.

I'm thinking it will keep the two screens but make the MCU a floating design to easier manufacturing and repair.

I think it will be recognizable as a model S. Consider the Porsche 911. Considering the importance of SUV, I expect the X will continue too.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

I think it will be recognizable as a model S. Consider the Porsche 911. Considering the importance of SUV, I expect the X will continue too.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[drtimhill]

So I guess not for standard s and x. Elon commenting on this makes sense since Plaid so much more expensive it would only Osborne the Taycan.

My guess is they had to do enough rework to fit the 2x rear motors it was worthwhile switching to the new battery system at the same time. No doubt S/X will follow in time as they move to 4680 cells everywhere.

 

[Hank42]

I'll be 75 by then. Should I think about replacing my 2020 MS Raven Performance with Plaid? Or should I just surrender to old age and try to be a chilled-out, front-porch-sitting, rocking-chair-bound, beer-sipping grandpa?

I'll be 70 by then too, but I'm only 50 now... Elon Time...Sigh....

 

[zecar]

I expect a completely new model S unless the return on investment just doesn't justify the investment. I'm sure Tesla would like to rebuild the car from the ground up. I think it would introduce the next gen MCU to drive some significant screen space.