On Thursday, Tesla Motors re-introduced the Model S60–a cheaper version of its all-electric sedan that was discontinued last April. The new S60 starts at $66,000 and has a range of about 208 miles. For $8,500 more, customers can choose an upgraded version, called the S75, which can travel about 40 more miles per charge, according to the company’s website.
So the upgraded model has a bigger battery, right? Nope. The two versions of the car are identical and sport the same 75 kWh battery. The only difference is that the software on the lower-end version limits the capacity of the S60’s battery, crippling its range. In fact, owners can instantly transform a lowly S60 into an S75 at any time for a fee of $9,000 ($500 more than if they’d initially bought it that way). They don’t even have to bring the car to a service center. Tesla flips the software switch remotely.
Tesla offers similar options for its autopilot feature – the cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors come standard on a new Model S. But the feature only works if the software is added to the vehicle—a $2,500 upgrade at initial purchase, or over-the-air at anytime in the future for $3,000.
Car buyers have always been able to load up new models with expensive features—bigger wheels, a better sound system—but Tesla is testing whether customers will be willing to pay thousands of dollars more for permission to take full advantage of the equipment that’s already on the car.
Autopilot software
+$2,500
(+$3,000 if done later)
Base Model S60
$66,000
(Before federal tax credit)
Upgraded battery
+$8,500
(+$9,000 if done later)
Base model with
software upgrades
$77K – $78K
Autopilot software
+$2,500
(+$3,000 if done later)
Base Model S60
$66,000
(Before federal tax credit)
Upgraded battery
+$8,500
(+$9,000 if done later)
Base model with
software upgrades
$77K – $78K
On Thursday, Tesla Motors re-introduced the Model S60–a cheaper version of its all-electric sedan that was discontinued last April. The new S60 starts at $66,000 and has a range of about 208 miles. For $8,500 more, customers can choose an upgraded version, called the S75, which can travel about 40 more miles per charge, according to the company’s website.
So the upgraded model has a bigger battery, right? Nope. The two versions of the car are identical and sport the same 75 kWh battery. The only difference is that the software on the lower-end version limits the capacity of the S60’s battery, crippling its range. In fact, owners can instantly transform a lowly S60 into an S75 at any time for a fee of $9,000 ($500 more than if they’d initially bought it that way). They don’t even have to bring the car to a service center. Tesla flips the software switch remotely.
Tesla offers similar options for its autopilot feature – the cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors come standard on a new Model S. But the feature only works if the software is added to the vehicle—a $2,500 upgrade at initial purchase, or over-the-air at anytime in the future for $3,000.
Car buyers have always been able to load up new models with expensive features—bigger wheels, a better sound system—but Tesla is testing whether customers will be willing to pay thousands of dollars more for permission to take full advantage of the equipment that’s already on the car.
Autopilot software
+$2,500
(+$3,000 if done later)
Upgraded battery
+$8,500
(+$9,000 if done later)
Base Model S60
$66,000
(Before federal tax credit)
Base model with
software upgrades
$77K – $78K
Below, a comparison of what the $8,500 battery software upgrade gets you on the rear-wheel drive Model S.
Range
Price
0-60 Acceleration
Top speed
Model S60
208 miles
$66,000
5.5 seconds
130 mph
249 miles
$74,500
5.5 seconds
130 mph
Model S75
Range
Price
Model S60
208 miles
$66,000
249 miles
$74,500
Model S75
0-60 Acceleration
Top speed
Model S 60
5.5 seconds
130 mph
Model S 75
5.5 seconds
130 mph
Range
208 miles
Model S60
249 miles
Model S75
Price
Model S60
$66,000
$74,500
Model S75
0-60 Acceleration
5.5 seconds
Model S60
5.5 seconds
Model S75
Top speed
130 mph
Model S60
130 mph
Model S75
The battery upgrade is also available on Tesla’s all-wheel drive “D” variant of the Model S, which adds a second motor to the front of the vehicle, increasing acceleration and overall range.
Range
Price
0-60 Acceleration
Top speed
Model S 60D
218 miles
$71,000
5.2 seconds
130 mph
Model S 75D
$79,500
5.2 seconds
130 mph
259 miles
Range
Price
Model S 60D
218 miles
$71,000
Model S 75D
$79,500
259 miles
0-60 Acceleration
Top speed
Model S 60D
5.2 seconds
130 mph
Model S 75D
5.2 seconds
130 mph
Range
Model S 60D
218 miles
259 miles
Model S 75D
Price
$71,000
Model S 60D
$79,500
Model S 75D
0-60 Acceleration
Model S 60D
5.2 seconds
5.2 seconds
Model S 75D
Top speed
Model S 60D
130 mph
Model S 75D
130 mph