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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

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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

Elon Musk

Tesla Optimus dance video showcases the company’s quick progress

Elon Musk shares a new video of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, dancing with improved flexibility and control.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Elon Musk recently shared a Tesla Optimus dance video, showcasing the humanoid robot’s light feet and the company’s quick progress.

In 2021, Tesla announced it would develop a humanoid robot during AI Day. At the time, the company didn’t even have a prototype. To celebrate the announcement, a human dressed as a humanoid robot came out and danced for the crowd at the event. Fast forward a few years, and Tesla’s Optimus bot finally has some moves to show off.

The first time anyone got a real preview of Optimus was in 2022, when Tesla debuted semi-functional prototypes at AI Day. One Tesla Optimus bot walked on stage while another performed some arm movements. At the time, critics noted the Tesla Optimus bot’s reliance on teleoperation for some tasks.

By 2023, Tesla unveiled Optiumus Gen 2, demonstrating advanced tasks like sorting colored blocks, maintaining yoga poses, and some dancing. Tesla also noted that the robot’s hands improved to 11 degrees of freedom (DoF). Tesla Optimus hands in production units have 22 degrees of freedom.

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Late last year, Tesla Optimus robots attended the company’s “We, Robot” event, performing tasks like serving drinks and interacting with people in the crowds. Teslarati played rock, paper, scissors with Optimus at “We, Robot.” The Tesla bots danced in synchronicity at the event with their arms and torsos.

Tesla’s progress with Optimus has been quite a ride over the past few years. Now Optimus can add to its dance moves with more flexibility and control over its legs. The recent Tesla Optimus dance video marks the beginning of the next phase for the humanoid robot: production.

According to Tesla’s Q1 2025 updated letter, the company has already started limited production of the Optimus bot at Tesla’s Fremont Factory. Elon Musk announced plans to produce over 1,000 units of Tesla Optimus for internal use in 2025 and external sales by 2026.

Elon Musk claims Tesla Optimus could be “more significant than Tesla’s vehicle business,” with a potential market value of $25 trillion. By automating low-skill, repetitive jobs, the Tesla bot could reshape economies, which Musk believes could lead to an “age of abundance” where goods and services are cheaper.

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Investor's Corner

Rivian stock rises as analysts boost price targets post Q1 earnings

Rivian impressed with smaller-than-expected losses & strong revenue, pushing analysts to raise price targets.

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(Credit: Rivian)

Rivian stock is gaining traction as Wall Street analysts raise price targets following the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s first-quarter earnings report. Despite a dip after the announcement, optimism surrounds Rivian’s cost control and upcoming lower-priced cars.

Last week, Rivian reported a better-than-expected Q1 gross profit, surpassing Wall Street’s forecasts with adjusted losses of $0.48 per share against expectations of $0.92 per share. The company also reported a revenue of $1.24 billion compared to the $1.01 billion anticipated.

However, the EV automaker cut its 2025 delivery forecast and capital spending due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. It explained that it is “not immune to the impacts of the global trade and economic environment.” RIVN stock dropped nearly 6% post-earnings, closing at $12.72 per share.

Wall Street remains upbeat about Rivian, citing progress toward launching lower-priced vehicles in 2026 and effective cost management. On Monday, Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro raised his RIVN price target to $18 from $16, maintaining a “Buy” rating. He highlighted Rivian’s “solid progress” toward key milestones.

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Conversely, Bernstein’s Daniel Roeska gave RIVN a “Sell” rating. However, Roeska also lifted his Rivian price target to $7.05 from $6.10, acknowledging “better” Q1 results. He warned that profitability remains distant and hinges on multiple product launches by the decade’s end.

Overall, Wall Street’s average price target for RIVN climbed from $14.18 to $14.31, a modest 13-cent increase reflecting positive sentiment. About one-third of analysts covering Rivian rate it a Buy, compared to the S&P 500’s average Buy-rating ratio of 55%.

On Monday, Rivian stock rose 2.7% to $14.64, slightly trailing the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, which gained 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively. The uptick may also stem from broader market gains tied to news of a temporary U.S.-China tariff suspension.

As Rivian navigates trade challenges and scales production at its Illinois factory, its Q1 performance and analyst support signal resilience. With lower-priced EVs on the horizon, Rivian’s strategic moves could bolster its position in the competitive EV market, offering investors cautious optimism for long-term growth.

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EU weighs Starlink’s market impact during SES-Intelsat deal

As SES tries to buy Intelsat, the EU is checking if Starlink has an unfair edge. The review could shape Europe’s space future.

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(Credit: Starlink)

EU antitrust regulators are scrutinizing SES’s $3.1 billion bid to acquire Intelsat, probing whether SpaceX’s Starlink poses a credible rival in the satellite communications market. The European Commission’s review could shape the future of Europe’s space industry.

The Commission has sought feedback from customers of SES and Intelsat to assess Starlink’s competitive impact. According to Reuters, the questionnaire asks if low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb are viable competitors for two-way satellite capacity. It also explores whether LEO suppliers are winning tenders and contracts and their potential to influence competition over the next five years. Additionally, regulators are evaluating customers’ bargaining power and ability to switch to rival suppliers.

SES operates a fleet of about 70 multi-orbit satellites for video broadcasting, government communications, and broadband internet. It aims to scale up through the acquisition of Intelsat. The move is part of a broader push in Europe to bolster home-grown satellite solutions, countering U.S. giants like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

SES is in talks with the EU Commission and a few European governments to complement Starlink services, addressing concerns over reliance on foreign providers.

“Now the discussions are much more strategic in nature. They’re much more mid-term, long-term. And what we’re seeing is that all of the European governments are serious about increasing their defense spending. There are alternatives, not to completely replace Starlink, that’s not possible, but to augment and complement Starlink,” said SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh.

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The EU Commission’s preliminary review of the SES-Intelsat deal is expected to conclude by June 10. The preliminary review will determine whether the SES-Intelsat deal is cleared outright, requires concessions, or faces a full-scale investigation if significant concerns arise. As Europe seeks to strengthen its space-based communication resilience, the outcome could redefine competitive dynamics in the satellite sector.

With Starlink’s LEO technology disrupting traditional satellite services, the Commission’s findings will signal how Europe balances innovation with strategic autonomy. SES’s efforts to scale and collaborate with governments underscore the region’s ambition to remain competitive, potentially reshaping the global satellite landscape as demand for reliable connectivity grows.

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