Connect with us

News

Tesla Model S “Refresh” spied track testing

Tesla has placed new wheels on the Model S in this photo, reminiscent of the Arachnid wheels that were included in the referral program. Photo: Teslarati

Published

6 years ago

on

New photos from the Tesla Fremont Factory obtained by Teslarati show the new Refreshed Tesla Model S and its new features, confirming the long-time speculation of whether the company’s flagship sedan would be updated nine years after its initial release. After the Plaid Model S was announced in 2019, slight cosmetic modifications were added to the car to increase aerodynamic performance in a track setting. Some of these new features included a wider body, a rear diffuser, and a spoiler. Tesla has made several changes to the Refreshed Model S, as seen in the photos below. The vehicle was spotted at both the Fremont Test Track and on public roads when the photographs were taken.

For those who are unfamiliar, Tesla operates its own test track behind the Fremont factory for its vehicles. In 2013, three years after Tesla’s purchase of the Fremont factory from GM, the electric automaker bought the 35-acre property that included the test track from the Union Pacific Railroad. It is located adjacent to the Fremont factory, so Tesla can take cars that need to be tested to the track within a few minutes. In the past, Tesla has tested vehicles like the Model Y and the 2020 Roadster at the track prior to their release, indicating that the new Model S that was spotted could be on its way to the company’s Design Studio shortly.

Initial rumors of the Model S refresh emerged in late 2020 after several updates to the Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. While the Model Y underwent several minor updates, like a new center console, new door paneling, and a heated steering wheel in China, the Model 3 was the subject of more noticeable cosmetic revisions. The mass-market sedan from Tesla was equipped with a full chrome delete kit that now comes standard, a new center console design, new headlights, double-paned glass, a powered trunk, and other interior revisions.

On the other hand, the Model S has only undergone one true cosmetic revision since its initial release nearly nine years ago: the removal of the nosecone. Since the vehicle has gone so many years without a real update or any major changes to its aesthetic qualities, Tesla may have decided it was time to “refresh” the car.

Now, photographs of the new Model S have been captured, showing a wider body, revised fog lights, new wheels, and several other cosmetic revisions.

A few of the more notable changes are a new front diffuser, a part that became standard with the newly-designed Plaid Model S. A diffuser displaces air underneath the vehicle’s body, increasing aerodynamic performance and making the flow of air more efficient during travel. Additionally, the front fascia has also been revised slightly. This is the second revision Tesla has made to this portion of the Model S since its release. The new design includes a larger central air intake vent for improved airflow and ventilation to the battery pack. This eliminates the possibility of overheating and improves battery lifetime and performance.

Advertisement
-

One of the more interesting and speculative details of the new Model S is that there is no touchscreen protruding from the top of the dash. The Model 3 and Model Y center dash screen can be seen from the outside of the vehicle when looking through the windshield. There is no evidence that Tesla is adopting the 3 and Y center touchscreen design for the Model S refresh. We are currently not aware of any modifications to the vertical touchscreen that has been standard on the Model S and Model X.

The fog lights located on the bottom of the front lip have also been modified, bringing a slightly new look to the lower lights. Additionally, new wheels appear to be on the Model S, and they look to be a revised version of the Arachnid wheels that Tesla included as a Referral Program reward back in 2016. Neither the 19″ Tempest Wheels nor the 21″ Sonic Carbon Twin Turbine Wheels that are available with the Plaid Model S matches the wheels that were equipped on the vehicle that was spotted at the Fremont Factory. This appears to confirm Tesla may also be releasing a new wheel design that will be included with the Refreshed Model S design.

It seems the refreshed Model S has adopted more features that are going to be included on the Plaid Model S, due to be released in late 2021. A wider fender design is paired with new, wider wheels. These modifications were first noticed on the Plaid Model S that was spotted running spirited laps at the Nürburgring in Germany in 2019.

Photo: Teslarati

Another interesting note is the side repeater cameras have been adjusted onto the new fenders, but only slightly. It appears Tesla has moved it forward toward the wheel well. This could be to increase visibility when the cameras are activated.

The final noticeable external revision is a new rear bumper design that is more robust than the original Model S design. This could be indicative that the black Model S in the photos we shared could be the Plaid Model S, as it also has a wider rear bumper. However, it does not have a rear diffuser installed underneath, meaning it could just be a refreshed design.

Tesla is holding its Q4 2020 Earnings Call on Wednesday and many enthusiasts believe the company will announce either a refresh to the Model S, or will indicate the Plaid Model S will be on its way soon. With the several external modifications that have been spotted thanks to the pictures above, we know that Tesla is working on a revised design for its flagship sedan. While no details are known about the interior as of yet, details will be shared as they are found.

The Kilowatts spotted some more photos of the unique Model S at Fremont, providing some additional perspective on what changes Tesla made to its flagship sedan.

Advertisement
-

Related Topics:

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

Lifestyle

Watch Tesla’s “guardian angel” FSD feature take over for collision evasion

Published

34 minutes ago

on

September 28, 2026

By

Tesla’s Automatic Collision Evasion feature can be seen in one of the first owner videos of it in action.

Tesla owner Spencer (@scotsrule08) posted on Monday that the feature “worked flawlessly,” saying FSD reengaged itself just as he was about to hit a curb. Ashok Elluswamy, who leads Tesla’s AI team, shared the clip and wrote, “A guardian angel always looking out for you.”

The video arrives in the middle of a staged rollout. Tesla first shipped Automatic Collision Evasion with FSD (Supervised) v14.3.9 in software update 2026.27.6 earlier this month, which Teslarati covered as it reached cars. Update 2026.27.10, which began going out on September 19, carried the feature improvements with FSD v14.3.10, according to release notes tracked by Not a Tesla App. The newer 2026.27.11 build is now reaching another wave of vehicles.


The feature only runs on HW4 vehicles, and it requires an active FSD purchase or subscription with both FSD (Supervised) and Automatic Emergency Braking enabled. HW3 owners receive FSD v14.2 Lite in the same updates, but that build does not include collision evasion.

Advertisement
-

Tesla’s release notes describe two triggers. The first is an imminent frontal collision that braking alone may not prevent, in which case the car can activate FSD to steer, brake or accelerate around the hazard. That scenario is limited to highways below 85 mph, with no pedestrians or cyclists detected and no slippery road surface. The second covers a driver who appears inattentive, such as reaching into the back seat, or who seems to have switched off FSD by accident. Spencer’s curb clip appears to fall into that second category.

Tesla plans big safety improvements for Full Self-Driving v15

Once the system takes over, the accelerator is muted and light brake input will not cancel the maneuver. Drivers need to apply firm, deliberate steering force to take back control, and the car chimes to hand control back once the danger has passed.

Elluswamy recently noted that earlier hazard prediction, faster reaction time and better collision avoidance would arrive with FSD v15, the next major version.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Roadster event gets delayed due to unfavorable weather

Published

5 hours ago

on

September 28, 2026

By

Credit: Tesla

Tesla is delaying its event for the Roadster, moving it from this Thursday, October 1, to Thursday, October 15, due to unfavorable weather.

The company has said it has been tracking the weather for this Thursday closely with local meteorologists, and because the event can only be held outside, Tesla is making the call to delay it:

“We’ve been tracking the weather closely with local meteorologists, but given the severe conditions predicted & because this event can only be held outdoors, we’ve made the difficult decision to reschedule. New date is October 15. Additional details to follow.”

We are sure that this is bringing back PTSD for some Tesla fans, and we know it is not ideal, but this also reveals some things about the event. Tesla said that this can only be held outdoors, meaning it bodes well for the rumors that the vehicle could potentially hover.

Some believe that this was essentially confirmed by the FAA airspace restriction they were granted, but this could have been for a drone show or to keep drones from spying on the event.

Tesla Roadster is available for order once again following brief hold

The Roadster event has been long-awaited, and it is unfortunate that the weather is going to keep us all waiting a little bit longer.

The Tesla Roadster will be unveiled in Waco, Texas.

Advertisement
-
Continue Reading

Elon Musk

SpaceX turned a heralding moment for Starship into its greatest

Starship reached orbit despite losing an engine, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites on Flight 14.

Published

6 hours ago

on

September 28, 2026

By

SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Monday, and for a few nail-biting minutes it looked like it wouldn’t. During ascent on Flight 14, one of Ship 41’s six Raptor engines shut down early, and SpaceX’s livestream host Dan Huot told viewers the team had decided not to commit to orbit. Minutes later, after what Huot described as a lot of conversation in the control room, the final poll came back in favor, and a roughly 19 second burn of a single Raptor pushed the ship into orbit about 170 miles up.

The reversal matters because SpaceX had written the exit ramp into the mission plan. The company said it would only fire the orbital insertion burn if flight controllers confirmed enough backup hardware remained for the deorbit burn, a condition Teslarati laid out ahead of the flight. Losing an engine was exactly the scenario that rule was built for.

Pressing forward fits Elon Musk’s history. Falcon 1 failed three straight times before its fourth launch reached orbit in 2008, with SpaceX nearly out of money, and Starship was developed by flying prototypes until they broke. What changed this year SpaceX going public, and with $SPCX sliding below its IPO price in July when Flight 13 slipped, the short interest climbed significantly, as Teslarati reported at the time. A Starship potentially lost today with revenue generating next-gen Starlink satellites aboard would have landed directly on shareholders.

That pressure showed up after orbit. SpaceX cut a flight planned to last nearly 10 hours to about three, moving splashdown from west of Chile to the North Pacific near Hawaii. SpaceX gave no reason, though Musk said this month the company was being extremely cautious about debris risk. The single Raptor for deorbit worked, and Ship 41 completed its flip and landing burn before breaking apart in the water, an outcome SpaceX expected. Musk has structured SpaceX’s governance to shield long term bets from market pressure.

Advertisement
-

The payload is the bigger business story. Musk posted that all 26 Starlink V3 satellites deployed and are “operating nominally.” Each V3 is rated for about 1 Tbps of downlink and 160 Gbps of uplink, so this single launch adds roughly 26 Tbps, about 10 times what a Falcon 9 load of V2 Mini satellites adds. The V3 is too large for Falcon 9, making Starship the only vehicle that can build out the planned 100,000 satellite constellation, at up to 60 per flight once it reaches routine service. Unlike the 20 V3 units on Flight 13, which reentered on a suborbital path, these will raise their orbits and could begin serving customers within weeks and bring in hundreds of millions of additional dollars in projected Starlink revenue.

SpaceX has already begun winding down Falcon 9 Starlink launches from Florida in favor of Starship. Reported targets put Flight 15 as early as October 19, leaving about three weeks to diagnose Monday’s engine shutdown before the next orbital attempt.

Continue Reading