Plaid Edition Model S to Get Seven Seats, Production Starts Late 2020

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk confirmed today that a new version of the Model S sedan will go into production in October or November of 2020.

Musk acknowledged on Twitter that Tesla is testing a Model S with three motors dubbed the “Plaid” edition, which reportedly bested the Porsche Taycan’s record run at the famed Nürburgring race track in Germany by 20 seconds. 

“It’s a start,” Musk said on Twitter. 

“We expect these track times to be beaten by the actual production 7 seat Model S Plaid variant that goes into production around Oct/Nov next year,” he added.

Tesla previously offered a 7-seat option for the Model S, five front-facing and two rear-facing seats. It seems an updated version of that configuration with larger seats will be introduced next year. 

https://twitter.com/x/status/1173994491759321089

Musk did not offer further details on performance specs or price for cars equipped with the Plaid powertrain, but added that the option will also eventually be offered for the Model X and Roadster. 

 

[Matthew Hill]

Would there be an option for seven forward-facing seats? If not, then I wonder how it's different than the existing jump-seat option.

 

[larmor]

don't because in the earliest it's in 15 months from now

Immaterial, product announcements are always leading by one year, eg taycant. Going to get crazy with model Y next year. Expected performance upgrades to model s is great news. The real question is what is the range going to be now with a 3 motor model S and the 'double height battery from the roadster'-but is probably not a double pack but some ongoing improvement to the battery.

And of course there is the pickup, hope they make a Dakar rally edition, or someone out there mods one for rally racing...

 

[thegruf]

a plaid launch and kids in rear facing seats will need wiper on inside of rear glass ... just sayin

 

[Watts_Up]

So if in 2020 there is Plaid version,
then what would be the name to use after Plaid:

Supersonic?​

 

[Hacov]

Given Elons love of arcade games, which is similar to mine as I used to work at Atari back in the day .. I strongly suggest he names the next acceleration mode after something from Asteroids, namely :-

HYPER-SPACE !!

The only problem it that damn explosion that happens occasionally after leaving Hyperspace.

 

[Trunk Gap]

Well, once again all I need to do is buy a MS and Elon announces something new At least this time its a year out vs being available right away. Looks like I'll be trading my Raven for this when it comes out. I bet its 2021 - too much going on, they will need to deprioritize this. Also suspect a *legit* refresh is right around the corner after this is released.

 

[larmor]

Well, once again all I need to do is buy a MS and Elon announces something new At least this time its a year out vs being available right away. Looks like I'll be trading my Raven for this when it comes out. I bet its 2021 - too much going on, they will need to deprioritize this. Also suspect a *legit* refresh is right around the corner after this is released.

Keep us informed about your next tesla purchase, so we can time getting ours...

 

[smithrukami]

Keep in mind that if Elon says Oct/Nov 2020 that is really like sometime in 2022.

So mothers hauling five kids in a Model S may have to wait longer to best a Porsche Taycan? Shame on Elon but good news for Porsche enthusiasts.

 

[Guy V]

I know all that as I often demo my P100DL with the "I want my Mommy" message, along with the launch mode graphic. BUT .. my point is that the word "Plaid" over here doesn't have any connotations with speed or acceleration or anything close. It just means a boring cloth pattern, which would leave a lot of Brits (and possibly even the suppressed people of Europe) scratching their heads wondering if "Plaid Mode" causes a secret blanket to be unfurled from under the dash .. or sumthin ...

Hence suggesting the use of an actual 'Hyper-space' button as an extension beyond ludicrous.

Maybe we should run a thread asking MS owners for their suggestions of alternative words to Plaid ...

No No No No

You have it right about the word plaid everywhere. That's why it's hysterically funny.

Anyone who doesn't get the reference will of course ask "Why on earth would anyone call a car Plaid?", so you have their attention and can explain the joke. From then on they are insiders too.

 

[Guy V]

Would there be an option for seven forward-facing seats? If not, then I wonder how it's different than the existing jump-seat option.

I have read today they will still be rear-facing. Based on the child version in mine, I too am wondering how they will be able to enlarge them enough for adults. I expect they will have to be lower and pretty much knees up. It's fascinating and I can't wait to see how they do it, Dragon Capsule technology perhaps?

 

[Guy V]

a plaid launch and kids in rear facing seats will need wiper on inside of rear glass ... just sayin

Kids in the rear-facing seats already require plenty of wiping. I know this firsthand from a trip to Disney World.

 

[ICUDoc]

Dragon Capsule technology perhaps?

OOOH! What a great idea!
Use those sexy Dragon capsule seats in a Model S! Not just jump seats, the front seats.
I'd pay for that option!

 

[Devon]

I won't replace my S without it. I'm certainly not alone.

Same here.

 

[azjohn]

Considering that the Model S Dual Motor LR costs is $80k and the Model S Preformance costs $100k,
would then possible that the Model S Triple-Motor Plaid would cost $120k?

For that kind of price range, I wonder if a more luxirious interior would be even a possibility, with first class Jet streatching seats?

View attachment 456231

I was also thinking the $120K range

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Considering that the Model S Dual Motor LR costs is $80k and the Model S Preformance costs $100k,
would then possible that the Model S Triple-Motor Plaid would cost $120k?

For that kind of price range, I wonder if a more luxirious interior would be even a possibility, with first class Jet streatching seats?

View attachment 456231

And 220 mph top end.

 

[axhoaxho]

OOOH! What a great idea!
Use those sexy Dragon capsule seats in a Model S! Not just jump seats, the front seats.
I'd pay for that option!

Yes, please. Design the Tesla car interior to look like the interior of the SpaceX capsule. It would be super cool, and please take my money.

 

[nativewolf]

Which brings up a good point, doesn't he already have a vehicle that can do thousands of miles an hour? So really what's 160? I mean, they should have showed up with a Falcon gone up a bit and landed back on Porsche HQ and call it a day.

 

[nativewolf]

I mean Porsche spent 80 years figuring out how to go around a ring of pavement. Elon Musk is well on his way to getting private spaceflight to the moon. Just seems that Porsche lacks vision and ambition.

 

[dnstommy]

If you have a P100DL and are thinking of selling it. You better sell it now. It will be worth 50k next year.

 

[larmor]

If you have a P100DL and are thinking of selling it. You better sell it now. It will be worth 50k next year.

Or hold onto it and with FSD enter it into the transportation network and offer uberfast rides....