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Tesla Model S and Model X gets cheaper by $8,000 in newest version

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tesla launches its new branded Supercharger for Business with first active station

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially launched its first branded Supercharger just months after initiating a new program that allows third-party companies to brand their own charging piles.

The site opened in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and features eight V4 Supercharging stalls offering up to 325 kW of charging speed. It appears it was purchased by a company called Suncoast Credit Union. This particular branch is located Northeast of Tampa, which is on the Gulf of Mexico.

It features graphics of Florida animals, like alligators:

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Tesla launched this program back in September, and it basically was a way to expand its Supercharger presence and also allow companies to pay for the infrastructure. Tesla maintains it. When it announced the “Supercharger for Business,” it said:

“Purchase and install Superchargers at your business. Superchargers are compatible with all electric vehicles, bringing EV drivers to your business by offering convenient, reliable charging.”

The program does a few things. Initially, it expands EV charging infrastructure and makes charging solutions more readily available for drivers. It can also attract people to those businesses specifically.

Tesla launches new Supercharger program that business owners will love

The chargers can also be branded with any logo that the business chooses, which makes them more personalized and also acts as an advertisement.

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The best part is that the customers do not have to maintain anything about the Supercharger. Tesla still takes care of it and resolves any issues:

“We treat your site like we treat our sites. By providing you with a full-service package that includes network operations, preventative maintenance, and driver support, we’re able to guarantee 97% uptime–the highest in the industry.”

It appears the Superchargers will also appear within the in-car nav during routing, so they’ll be publicly available to anyone who needs to use them. They are still available to all EVs that have worked with Tesla to utilize its infrastructure, and they are not restricted to people who are only visiting the business.

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Tesla reveals its Cybertruck light bar installation fix

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u/Kruzat, see page for license, via Wikimedia Commons

Tesla has revealed its Cybertruck light bar installation fix after a recall exposed a serious issue with the accessory.

Tesla and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a recall of 6,197 Cybertrucks back in October to resolve an issue with the Cybertruck light bar accessory. It was an issue with the adhesive that was provided by a Romanian company called Hella Romania S.R.L.

Tesla recalls 6,197 Cybertrucks for light bar adhesive issue

The issue was with the primer quality, as the recall report from the NHTSA had stated the light bar had “inadvertently attached to the windshield using the incorrect surface primer.”

Instead of trying to adhere the light bar to the Cybertruck with an adhesive, Tesla is now going to attach it with a bracketing system, which will physically mount it to the vehicle instead of relying on adhesive strips or glue.

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Tesla outlines this in its new Service Bulletin, labeled SB-25-90-001, (spotted by Not a Tesla App) where it shows the light bar will be remounted more securely:

The entire process will take a few hours, but it can be completed by the Mobile Service techs, so if you have a Cybertruck that needs a light bar adjustment, it can be done without taking the vehicle to the Service Center for repair.

However, the repair will only happen if there is no delamination or damage present; then Tesla could “retrofit the service-installed optional off-road light bar accessory with a positive mechanical attachment.”

The company said it would repair the light bar at no charge to customers. The light bar issue was one that did not result in any accidents or injuries, according to the NHTSA’s report.

This was the third recall on Cybertruck this year, as one was highlighted in March for exterior trim panels detaching during operation. Another had to do with front parking lights being too bright, which was fixed with an Over-the-Air update last month.

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Tesla is already expanding its Rental program aggressively

The program has already launched in a handful of locations, specifically, it has been confined to California for now. However, it does not seem like Tesla has any interest in keeping it restricted to the Golden State.

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Credit: Grok

Tesla is looking to expand its Rental Program aggressively, just weeks after the program was first spotted on its Careers website.

Earlier this month, we reported on Tesla’s intention to launch a crazy new Rental program with cheap daily rates, which would give people in various locations the opportunity to borrow a vehicle in the company’s lineup with some outrageous perks.

Along with the cheap rates that start at about $60 per day, Tesla also provides free Full Self-Driving operation and free Supercharging for the duration of the rental. There are also no limits on mileage or charging, but the terms do not allow the renter to leave the state from which they are renting.

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The program has already launched in a handful of locations, specifically, it has been confined to California for now. However, it does not seem like Tesla has any interest in keeping it restricted to the Golden State.

Job postings from Tesla now show it is planning to launch the Rental program in at least three new states: Texas, Tennessee, and Massachusetts.

The jobs specifically are listed as a Rental Readiness Specialist, which lists the following job description:

“The Tesla Rental Program is looking for a Rental Readiness Specialist to work on one of the most progressive vehicle brands in the world. The Rental Readiness Specialist is a key contributor to the Tesla experience by coordinating the receipt of incoming new and used vehicle inventory. This position is responsible for fleet/lot management, movement of vehicles, vehicle readiness, rental invoicing, and customer hand-off. Candidates must have a high level of accountability, and personal satisfaction in doing a great job.”

It also says that those who take the position will have to charge and clean the cars, work with clients on scheduling pickups and drop-offs, and prepare the paperwork necessary to initiate the rental.

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The establishment of a Rental program is big for Tesla because it not only gives people the opportunity to experience the vehicles, but it is also a new way to rent a car.

Just as the Tesla purchasing process is more streamlined and more efficient than the traditional car-buying experience, it seems this could be less painful and a new way to borrow a car for a trip instead of using your own.

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