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Tesla Model S and Model X gets cheaper by $8,000 in newest version
Tesla has dropped the “100D” and “P100D” badging on its flagship Model S and Model X vehicles, following suit to naming conventions used by its younger sibling, the Model 3.
Model S and Model X that were previously sold under the 100D label will now be sold as “Extended Range” vehicles, while Tesla’s top-of-the-line P100D variants will now be branded as Model S Performance and Model X Performance. The name change essentially drops all references to the vehicle’s battery capacity.
In addition, Tesla is offering a more affordable version of the flagship all-electric sedan and SUV, known simply as “Model S” and “Model X”, respectively. Model S will have a starting price of $85,000 and a range of 310 miles, while Model X will be priced at $88,000 and have a range of 270 miles. Both versions will offer the same 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds performance as the Extended Range versions but priced at $8,000 lower.
Tesla updated its online configurator for both Model S and Model X on Tuesday afternoon with the newly labeled versions. Immediately noticeable is the removal of the 100D and P100D options. Though the iconic “P100D” badging will be sorely missed by early adopters and enthusiasts alike, Tesla’s transition to focus on vehicle range rather than battery capacity is viewed as a more intuitive measurement to most people than the kilowatt-hour unit of measure.
The rebranding of Model S and Model X by Tesla is a move that doesn’t come as too big of a surprise, considering the naming convention was first introduced in 2017 for Model 3.
Tesla’s new Model S and Model X lineup are as follows:
Model S and Model X
(new introduction; upgradable to Extended Range after purchase via over-the-air software update)
Model S – Price: $85,000; Range: 310-miles; 0-60mph: 4.1 sec.
Model X – Price: $88,000; Range: 270-miles; 0-60mph: 4.7 sec.
Model S and X Extended Range
(formerly 100D)
Model S Extended Range – Price: $93,000; Range: 335-miles; 0-60mph: 4.1 sec.
Model X Extended Range – Price: $96,000; Range: 295-miles; 0-60mph: 4.7 sec.
Model S and X Performance
(formerly P100D; Ludicrous Mode performance upgrade available after purchase via over-the-air software update)
Model S Performance – Price: $112,000; Range: 315-miles; 0-60mph: 3.0 sec.
Model X Performance – Price: $117,000; Range: 289-miles; 0-60mph: 3.5 sec.
Model S and X Performance w/ Ludicrous Mode
(formerly P100D with Ludicrous Mode)
Model S Performance w/ Ludicrous Mode – Price: $132,000; Range: 315-miles; 0-60mph: 2.4 sec.
Model X Performance w/ Ludicrous Mode – Price: $137,000; Range: 289-miles; 0-60mph: 2.8 sec.
The ability for Model S and Model X owners to “unlock” their battery for more driving range through an over-the-air upgrade is an offering unique to Tesla. Not only does it lower the price barrier for entry, but it also provides owners with a hassle-free and pressure-free experience to upgrade as needed.
From a manufacturing standpoint, having a single battery pack for Model S/X and Model S/X Extended Range also streamlines the production process, thereby increasing vehicle production efficiency.
Apart from being able to wirelessly upgrade vehicles with additional battery capacity, which has proven valuable in many situations involving disaster relief, Tesla also offers drivers free Autopilot trials through over-the-air updates.
News
Tesla Cybercab includes this small but significant feature
The Cybercab is Tesla’s big plan to introduce fully autonomous ride-sharing in a seamless fashion. In fact, the Full Self-Driving suite was geared toward alleviating the need to manually drive vehicles.
Tesla Cybercab manufacturing is strikingly close, as the company is still aiming for an April start date. But small and significant features are still being identified for the first time as production units appear all over the country for testing and for regulatory events, like one yesterday in Washington, D.C.
The Cybercab is Tesla’s big plan to introduce fully autonomous ride-sharing in a seamless fashion. In fact, the Full Self-Driving suite was geared toward alleviating the need to manually drive vehicles.
This was for everyone, including the disabled, who are widely reliant on ride-sharing platforms, family members, and medical shuttles for transportation of any kind. Cybercab aims to change that, and Tesla evidently put a focus on those riders while developing the vehicle, evident in a small but significant feature revealed during its appearance in the Nation’s Capital.
Tesla Cybercab display highlights interior wizardry in the small two-seater
Tesla has implemented Braille within the Cybercab to make it easier for blind passengers to utilize the vehicle. On both the ‘Stop/Hazard Lights’ button and the Door Releases, Tesla has placed Braille so that blind passengers can navigate their way through the vehicle:
The hazard lights button will be used as an emergency stop. Smart pic.twitter.com/vkYBioqmKm
— Whole Mars Catalog (@wholemars) March 10, 2026
We have braille on the interior door releases as well
— Eric (@EricETesla) March 11, 2026
This is a great addition to the Cybercab, especially as Full Self-Driving has been partially pointed at as a solution for those with disabilities that would keep them from driving themselves from place to place.
It truly is a great addition and just another way that Tesla is showing they are making this massive product inclusive for everyone out there, including those who have not been able to drive due to not having vision.
The Cybercab is set to enter mass production sometime in April, and it will be responsible for launching Tesla’s massive plans for an autonomous ride-sharing program.
Elon Musk
Tesla and xAI team up on massive new project
It is the latest move by a Musk company to automate, streamline, and reduce the manual, monotonous, and tedious work currently performed by humans through AI and robotics development. Digital Optimus will be capable of processing and actioning the past five seconds of a real-time computer screen video and keyboard and mouse actions.
Elon Musk teased a massive new project, to be developed jointly by Tesla and xAI, called “Digital Optimus” or “Macrohard,” the first development under Tesla’s investment agreement with xAI.
Musk announced on X that Digital Optimus will “be capable of emulating the function of entire companies.”
Macrohard or Digital Optimus is a joint xAI-Tesla project, coming as part of Tesla’s investment agreement with xAI.
Grok is the master conductor/navigator with deep understanding of the world to direct digital Optimus, which is processing and actioning the past 5 secs of…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2026
It is the latest move by a Musk company to automate, streamline, and reduce the manual, monotonous, and tedious work currently performed by humans through AI and robotics development. Digital Optimus will be capable of processing and actioning the past five seconds of a real-time computer screen video and keyboard and mouse actions.
Essentially, it will be an AI version of a desk worker in many capacities, including accounting, HR tasks, and others.
Musk said:
“Grok is the master conductor/navigator with deep understanding of the world to direct digital Optimus, which is processing and actioning the past 5 secs of real-time computer screen video and keyboard/mouse actions. Grok is like a much more advanced and sophisticated version of turn-by-turn navigation software. You can think of it as Digital Optimus AI being System 1 (instinctive part of the mind) and Grok being System 2. (thinking part of the mind).”
Its key applications would be used for enterprise automation, simulating entire companies, high-volume repetitive tasks, and potentially, future hybrid use with the Optimus robot, which would handle physical tasks, while Digital Optimus would handle the clerical work.
The creation of a digital AI suite like Digital Optimus would help companies save time and money, as well as become more efficient in their operations through massive scalability. However, there will undoubtedly be concerns from people who are skeptical of a fully-integrated AI workhorse like this one.
From an energy consumption perspective and just a general concern for the human workforce, these types of AI projects are polarizing in nature.
However, Digital Optimus would be a great digital counterpart to Tesla’s physical Optimus robot, as it would be a hyper-efficient addition to any company that is looking for more production for less cost.
Musk maintains that there is no other company on Earth that will be able to do this.
Elon Musk
Tesla China posts strong February wholesale growth at Gigafactory Shanghai
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla China sold 58,599 vehicles wholesale in February, reflecting strong year-over-year growth. The figure includes both domestic deliveries in China and vehicles exported to international markets.
The update was shared by Tesla observers on social media platform X, citing monthly China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data.
Tesla’s February wholesale result represents a 91% increase year over year, compared with 30,688 vehicles in February 2025. Month over month, the result was down 15.2% from January, when Tesla China recorded 69,129 wholesale units.
The February total reflects combined sales of the Model 3 and Model Y produced at Gigafactory Shanghai. The facility produces the two vehicles for both domestic sales and exports.
Gigafactory Shanghai continues to serve as Tesla’s primary vehicle export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. Data compiled by Tesla watchers shows that 18,485 vehicles were sold domestically in China in January 2026, while exports accounted for 50,644 units during the same period.
Tesla has also been extending financing programs in China as it pushes to strengthen domestic demand. The company recently extended its seven-year ultra-low-interest and five-year interest-free financing programs through March 31, marking the second extension of the promotion this year.
The financing initiative was first introduced on January 6 as a strategy aimed at offsetting higher ownership costs ahead of China’s planned 5% NEV purchase tax in 2026. The promotion was originally scheduled to expire at the end of January before being extended to February and then again through the end of the first quarter.
Tesla’s efforts come amid growing competition in China’s EV market. According to data compiled by CNEV Post, Tesla’s 2025 retail sales in China reached 625,698 vehicles, representing a 4.78% year-over-year decline. Part of that decline was linked to the Model Y changeover to its updated variant in early 2025, which temporarily reduced deliveries during the transition period.
Tesla Cybercab includes this small but significant feature
Tesla and xAI team up on massive new project
