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Tesla Model S ‘Plaid’ variants spied with center display like Model 3 in return from Nurburgring
After setting impressive unofficial lap times at the Nurburgring, Tesla’s two Model S Plaid Powertrain prototypes have been spotted in a transport trailer in the United States. Quite interestingly, images taken of one of the Plaid vehicles hinted at what appears to be a center-mounted display similar to the 15″ touchscreen on the Tesla Model 3.
Images of the two track warriors from Tesla were photographed by electric car enthusiast Andre Weller, who shared the photos of the vehicles on the r/TeslaMotors subreddit. It did not take long before some members of the online community pointed out that the blue Model S Plaid prototype seemed to be fitted with a display that’s reminiscent to the one used by the electric car maker in its midsize sedan.
While this is all speculation for now, it should be noted that an interior refresh for the Model S has been rumored for some time now. This would not be the first time that Tesla used Model 3 parts on the Plaid Model S either, as the tri-motor sedan the company used to set a record at Laguna Seca was curiously equipped with a Model 3 steering wheel.
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
This is quite different from the current setup of the Model S, which utilizes a 17″ touch panel in portrait orientation for its infotainment system. But this is not all. The blue vehicle also appeared to have a complete interior, as shown by the unmistakable outline of seats in Weller’s photographs. This contrasts with previous reports about the blue vehicle, which alleged that its interior was stripped down.
Also noteworthy is the red Model S Plaid prototype that was tied down right behind the blue unit. Prior to Tesla’s departure from the Nurburgring, reports emerged stating that the red Plaid Model S had crashed during a high-speed run. While the accident reportedly rendered the car unusable for the remaining days of the company’s stay in Germany, the driver of the vehicle was unharmed.
Looking at photos of the red vehicle, it appears that the Plaid Model S was not very damaged from its Nurburgring mishap. Its front fenders and panels seem to be intact, and there are no noticeable dents on its hood. The only thing that seems quite off with the vehicle were its wheels, which were mismatched for some reason, as well as its driver’s side window, which was opened during transit.
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
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- (Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
(Credit: Andre Weller/Imugr)
Tesla’s two Plaid Model S prototypes were able to set some impressive unofficial times before they departed the iconic German racetrack this year. During the company’s first round of Nurburgring sessions, the red Model S Plaid prototype reportedly completed a hand-stopped lap in 7:23, significantly faster than the 7:42 set by the Porsche Taycan Turbo.
This time was eventually beaten twice by the blue Plaid Model S in the company’s second round of Nurburgring sessions, with the vehicle reportedly completing a hot lap in 7:13. That’s almost half a minute faster than Porsche’s own unofficial record for the Taycan Turbo.
The Tesla Model S Plaid prototypes are equipped with larger battery packs, three motors, and seven seats, as per Twitter updates from Elon Musk. Musk has also noted that the updated vehicles will be entering production sometime in late 2020, and they will command a price that’s higher than the Raven Model S Performance, but “less than competitors.”
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Tesla Model 3 and Model Y earn Euro NCAP Best in Class safety awards
“The company’s best-selling Model Y proved the gold standard for small SUVs,” Euro NCAP noted.
Tesla won dual categories in the Euro NCAP Best in Class awards, with the Model 3 being named the safest Large Family Car and the Model Y being recognized as the safest Small SUV.
The feat was highlighted by Tesla Europe & Middle East in a post on its official account on social media platform X.
Model 3 and Model Y lead their respective segments
As per a press release from the Euro NCAP, the organization’s Best in Class designation is based on a weighted assessment of four key areas: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road User, and Safety Assist. Only vehicles that achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and were evaluated with standard safety equipment are eligible for the award.
Euro NCAP noted that the updated Tesla Model 3 performed particularly well in Child Occupant protection, while its Safety Assist score reflected Tesla’s ongoing improvements to driver-assistance systems. The Model Y similarly stood out in Child Occupant protection and Safety Assist, reinforcing Tesla’s dual-category win.
“The company’s best-selling Model Y proved the gold standard for small SUVs,” Euro NCAP noted.
Euro NCAP leadership shares insights
Euro NCAP Secretary General Dr. Michiel van Ratingen said the organization’s Best in Class awards are designed to help consumers identify the safest vehicles over the past year.
Van Ratingen noted that 2025 was Euro NCAP’s busiest year to date, with more vehicles tested than ever before, amid a growing variety of electric cars and increasingly sophisticated safety systems. While the Mercedes-Benz CLA ultimately earned the title of Best Performer of 2025, he emphasized that Tesla finished only fractionally behind in the overall rankings.
“It was a close-run competition,” van Ratingen said. “Tesla was only fractionally behind, and new entrants like firefly and Leapmotor show how global competition continues to grow, which can only be a good thing for consumers who value safety as much as style, practicality, driving performance, and running costs from their next car.”
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Tesla is shifting FSD to a subscription-only model, confirms Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the upcoming update in a post on social media platform X.
Tesla will be ending one-time purchases of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system after Valentine’s Day, transitioning the feature to a monthly subscription-only model.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the upcoming update in a post on social media platform X.
No more FSD one-time purchases
As per Elon Musk in his post on X, “Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14. FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter.” This marks a shift in how Tesla monetizes its FSD system, which can now be purchased for a one-time fee or accessed through a monthly subscription.
FSD’s subscription model has been $99 per month in the United States, while its one-time purchase option is currently priced at $8,000. FSD’s one-time purchase price has swung wildly in recent years, reaching $15,000 in September 2022. At the time, FSD was proficient, but its performance was not on par with v14. This made its $15,000 upfront price a hard sell for consumers.
Tesla’s move to a subscription-only model could then streamline how the company sells FSD. It also lowers the entry price for the system, as even price-conscious drivers would likely be able to justify FSD’s $99 monthly subscription cost during periods when long-distance travel is prevalent, like the holidays.
Musk’s compensation plan and FSD subscription targets
Tesla’s shift to a subscription-only FSD model comes amidst Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award, which was approved by Tesla shareholders at the 2025 Annual Shareholders Meeting with roughly 75% support. Under the long-term compensation plan, Musk must achieve a series of ambitious operational milestones, including 10 million active FSD subscriptions, over the next decade for his stock awards to vest.
The 2025 CEO Performance Award’s structure ties Musk’s potential compensation to Tesla’s aggressive targets that span market capitalization, vehicle deliveries, robotics, and software adoption. Apart from his 10-million active FSD subscription target, Musk’s compensation is also tied to Tesla producing 20 million vehicles cumulatively, delivering 1 million Tesla bots, and having 1 million Robotaxis in operation. He must also lead Tesla to a market cap of $8.5 trillion.
If successful, Elon Musk’s 2025 CEO Performance Award could make him the world’s first trillionaire. It could also help Tesla become the world’s most valuable company by market cap by a notable margin.
Tesla is planning for a new 300+ stall Supercharger station that will be an expansion of an existing facility, and the company is planning to add a surprise for the Semi.
The Firebaugh, California Supercharger is currently 72 Superchargers, but Tesla filed for an expansion that will add 232 additional plugs for passenger vehicles, and it also plans to add 16 Semichargers.
This will be the biggest Supercharger station Tesla will have to date, just months after it finished the Supercharger Oasis in Lost Hills, California, which has 168 stalls. This will have 304 total Supercharger stalls, and then the additional 16 Megachargers.
🚨 This Supercharger station will have 304 total stalls and 16 Semichargers following this expansion
Absolutely INSANE size 🔥
This is located on I-5, so many semis will be traveling along this route https://t.co/hM9hdLcWwg
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 13, 2026
The Firebaugh Supercharger is located on I-5, which is a major reason for why Tesla has chosen the location for additional Megacharger plug-ins, as Tesla Semi Program Manager Dan Priestley said on X earlier today.
Lots of trucks to electrify on I-5
— Dan Priestley (@danWpriestley) January 13, 2026
The project was revealed by MarcoRP, a Supercharger tracker.
The expansion is a massive signal for charging demand, especially as Tesla’s Superchargers are opened to numerous automakers and are no longer exclusive to the company’s EVs. Additionally, the installation of Megachargers is a good sign to come for the Tesla Semi program, which aims to truly ramp up this year.
Tesla plans to launch production of the Semi later this year.
It could also mean Tesla is going to expand its footprint of large-scale Supercharger projects in the coming years, which would be a big boost as EV adoption continues to soar in the United States.
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y earn Euro NCAP Best in Class safety awards
Tesla is shifting FSD to a subscription-only model, confirms Elon Musk
