Plaid variants of the Tesla Model S and Model X will go on sale in markets outside of the US, finally.
Tesla will release the 820kW tri-motor Plaid variants of its Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X in Europe at the end of the year, putting the cars back on sale outside of the US for the first time in nearly two years.
The American firm had originally halted sales of its biggest models in September 2021 to focus on a backlog of orders bound for US customers, with just the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y remaining for purchase.
At the time, Tesla boss Elon Musk blamed ongoing parts-supply issues, with prospective Model S and Model X buyers asked to pre-order instead.
Now the two cars are back on sale in Europe, albeit only in top-rung Plaid guise, with deliveries tipped for between December 2022 and February 2023.
Originally claimed to get a more than 520-mile range, the Model S Plaid is now confirmed to reach 830km on a single charge (nine fewer than the Dual Motor variant) and the Model X Plaid an estimated 535km.
The Model S Plaid will hit 100km/h in 1.9sec, whereas the Model X Plaid will hit the same speed in 2.5sec. Top speeds are marked at 320km/h and 250km/h respectively.
The standard Dual Motor variants will go back on sale next year, Tesla said.
However, despite deliveries getting readied for Europe, Tesla has no pricing or timing confirmed for Australia. Tesla’s website currently reads: “Pricing and options will be finalised as delivery approaches. You will be notified to complete your order when final pricing and options are published. Until then, your order will be considered a pre-order that you may cancel with a full refund.”
Will Rimell