Tesla Motors Model S

A Brief History of the Model S

The Model S was designed by Franz von Holzhausen and was announced on June 30, 2008. This car started at $50,000, could seat up to seven people and was marketed as Tesla’s more affordable and family friendly sedan. It was introduced to the public in June 2012 and continues to break records in critical reviews and milestones. Today, the Tesla Model S is internationally recognized as one of the leading electric luxury cars and has received innumerable awards and recognitions.

On June 22, 2012, the first Model S was sold to internet blogger Jason Calacanis. During the following years, Model S sales have soared, with an increase from 3,000 to 28,500 sales in just two years with sales primarily in the United States, specifically California. In 2012, Tesla began to build electric car charging stations throughout California. These charging stations enable Model S drivers to drive across the United States without the fear of being stranded.

Tesla Charging Station
Tesla Charging Station

In 2013, disaster struck when three Model S sedans caught fire following accidents in three different incidents. Although Tesla addressed the issues and reiterated their cars’ safety, these highly publicized incidents had repercussions in the stock market with a 20% drop following the third accident.

2013-Tesla-Model-S-fire
One of the three infamous Tesla Model S accidents during 2013

In comparison to a slightly rocky 2013, 2014 was a smooth and productive year for the Model S with an increase in sales. Stock prices reflected this new prosperity with Tesla’s stocks increasing 47% from the dip following the three aforementioned accidents.

In January 2015, Tesla introduced the Model S 60D, the Model S 85D, and the Model S 85D. These new models boast dual motors that dramatically improve the acceleration ability with the new 85D going from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds and becoming one of the top 20 fastest accelerating production cars in the world.

In 2015, the Model S became Consumer Reports’ top-scoring car ever with a perfect 100 out of 100 score. In 2015 it was also named the Car of the Century by Car and Driver.

A new “Tech Package” was also released and includes new auto driving and parking capabilities. Since October 9, 2014, the Model S has the Autopilot option which allows limited hands free driving. This Model S AutoPilot software was updated in mid-October 2015 in the United States with version 7 that enables more autopilot capabilities.

In June 2015, Tesla announced that the Model S owners have collectively traveled more than one billion electric miles and saved more than half a million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Model S Features Timeline

[divider]2012 Features[/divider]

2012 Tesla Model S Black d
2012 Black Tesla Model S

[column size=one_third position=first ]

Edmunds

  • Fuel Economy: 88/90 mpg
  • Car Type: Sedan
  • Transmission: 1-speed Direct
  • Engine Type: Electric
  • Cylinders: Not Available
  • Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
  • Navigation: No

[/column]

 MotorTrends

  • Price Range: $95,400-$105,400
  • MPG Range: n/a
  • Bodystyles: Sedans
  • Details
    • Electric Fuel

 

 

[divider]2013 Features[/divider]

2013 Tesla Model S Silver
2013 Silver Tesla Model S

[column size=one_third position=middle]

Edmunds

  • Fuel Economy: 94/97 mpg
  • Car Type: Sedan
  • Transmission: 1-speed Direct
  • Engine Type: Electric
  • Cylinders: Not Available
  • Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
  • Navigation: No

[/column]

MotorTrends

  • Price Range: $59,900-$94,900
  • MPG Range: 90-93 mpg
  • Bodystyles: Sedans
  • Details
    • Electric Fuel
    • Fuel Economy: Gasoline 93 mpg city, 96 mpg highway, 94 combined and 160 mi. range
    • Power (SAE)

 

[divider]2014 Features[/divider]

2014 Tesla Model S red a (2)
2014 Red Tesla Model S

[column size=one_third position=middle]

Edmunds

  • Fuel Economy: 94/97 mpg
  • Car Type: Sedan
  • Transmission: 1-speed Direct
  • Engine Type: Electric
  • Cylinders: Not Available
  • Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
  • Navigation: No

[/column]

MotorTrends

  • Price Range: $93,400-$119,000
  • MPG Range: 90-94 mpg
  • Bodystyles: Sedans
  • Details
    • Electric Fuel
    • Fuel Economy: Gasoline 94 mpg city, 97 mpg highway, 95 mpg combined and 208 mi. range
    • Power (SAE): 380 hp @5,000 rpm; 317 ft lb of torque @ 0 rpm

[divider]2015 Features[/divider]

2015 Tesla Model S White a
2015 White Tesla Model S

[column size=one_third position=middle ]

Edmunds

  • Fuel Economy: 94/97 mpg
  • Car Type: Sedan
  • Transmission: 1-speed Direct
  • Engine Type: Electric
  • Cylinders: Not Available
  • Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
  • Navigation: No

[/column]

MotorTrends

  • Price Range: $85,000-$105,000
  • MPG Range: 90-101 mpg
  • Bodystyles: Sedans
  •  Details
    • Electric Fuel
    • Fuel Economy: Gasoline 94 mpg city, 97 mpg highway, 95 mpg combined and 208 mi. range
    • Power (SAE): 380 hp @5,000 rpm; 317 ft lb of torque @ 0 rpm

Features of 2015 Model S Dual Motors

tesla dual motor features

 

Tesla Model S Software Updates Timeline

 

v1.7.36

  • September 2012
  • Original Tesla Software

 v1.9.17

  • September 24, 2012

v1.13.16

  • October 9, 2012
  • New Features and Settings
    • Driver’s Profile
    • Switch Between Profiles
    • Creep
    • Mobile App Remote Access
  • Improvements
    • Traffic Button in Maps
    • Volume Modulation
    • Lock/Unlock Buttons

 v1.15.8

  • October 19, 2012
  • Improvements
    • Digital Instrument Panel
    • Supercharger Network

 v1.15.14

  • November 30, 2012
  • New Features and Settings
    • Cancel Search Navigation Button
  • Improvements
    • Fixed Erroneous Service Needed Warning
    • Enhanced Coolant Flow Detection

Version 4.0 (v1.17.50)

  • November 30, 2012
  • New Features and Settings
    • Vehicle Sleep
    • App Launcher
    • Release Notes
    • Voice Commands
      • Music
      • Navigation
      • Calling
    • Auto-Presenting Door Handles
    • Alarm
    • Metric Distance Unit
    • Range Driving Mode
  • Improvements
    • Synchronized Door Handles
    • USB Media Browsing
    • Alphabetical Index
    • Calling from Maps
    • Steering Wheel Controls extended to Fan and Sunroof
    • Location-Aware Homelink
    • Energy App Update
    • Improved Throttle Response

Version 4.1 (v1.19.27)

  • December 21, 2012
  • Maintenance release

Version 4.1 (v1.19.29 and v1.19.31)

  • December 22, 2012
  • Maintenance release

Version 4.2 (v1.19.49)

  • March 5, 2013
  • Improvements
    • Pano Roof Bug Fix
    • Wipers Fix
    • Key and Door Handle Function Fix
    • Regen Warning
  • Sleep Feature Removed

Version 4.3 (v1.25.45)

  • March 29, 2013
  • New Features and Settings
    • Enabled Scheduled Charging Mode
  • Improvements
    • Range Projects Improvements for Cold Climates
    • Climate Control Fixes

Version 4.4 (v1.31.11)

  • April 12, 2013
  • New Features and Settings
    • Unknown

Version 4.5 (v1.33.61)

  • July 20, 2013
  • New Features and Settings
    • Supercharger Locations
    • Visited Chargers
    • Charge Limit
  • Improvements
    • Improvement to Maps Resolution
    • Contacts Sorting
    • New Front Defrost Mode Settings
    • Battery Support
    • Improved Battery Heating

Version 5.5 (v1.35.76)

  • July 18, 2013
  • Europe (Pre-Production)
  • New Features
    • Cold Weather Controls
    • Wifi Tethering
    • Park Distance Control
  • Improvements
    • Main Map Display Options Improved

Version 5.0 (v1.35.107)

  • August 2013
  • New Features
    • Wifi Tethering
    • Tow Mode
    • Screen Cleaning Mode
    • Radio Presets Access via Steering Wheel Controls
  • Improvements
    • Maps Improvements
    • Improved Power Management
    • Additions to Driver Profiles
    • Improved Creep Performance

Version 5.6 (v1.45.45)

  • October 2013
  • New Features
    • Turn off Sleep Mode Option
    • Radio Control Options
    • Owner’s Manual Available
  • Improvements
    • Navigation Improvements
      • New Navigation Voices
      • Improvements to Map Text and Colors
      • One Touch Navigation
      • More Accurate Range Calculations
    • Improvements to FM/DAB signals
    • Smoother Creep Torque
    • Seat Heater Settings Added to Driver Profile

Version 5.8 (v1.49.30)

  • December 12, 2013
  • New Features
    • Windshield Wiper Replacement Mode
    • Tire Pressure Monitor Reset Capability
    • Raises Air Suspension Ride Heights in All Modes by 5/16″
    • Deletes Automatic Lowering of Air Suspension at High Speed Under ~100 mph
  • Improvements
    • Improved DAB reception

Version 5.8.4 (v1.49.57)

  • December 21, 2013
  • Improvements
    • Automatically Reducing Charge Current by 25% when a Wall Power Anomaly is Detected

Version 5.8.7 (v1.49.84)

  • February 10, 2014
  • Improvements
    • Less battery loss during sleep mode
    • Higher power to driver’s side USB port
    • Wall Power support to the 12V Until Charging Starts

Version 5.8.8 (v1.49.90)

  • February 13, 2014
  • Maintenance Release
  • Improvements
    • Charging Improvements

Version 5.8.10 (v1.49.95)

  • March 22, 2014
  • Maintenance Release
  • Improvements
    • Improvements to Windshield Wiper Sensors

Version 5.9 (v1.51.109)

  • May 25, 2014
  • New Features
    • Personalized Internet Music
    • Hill Start Assist
  • Improvements
    • Smart Air Suspension
    • Home/ Work Locations and Favorites
    • Superchargers and Visited Chargers
    • Battery Meter and Cold Weather
    • Improved Range Calculations
    • Larger Font in the Status Bar
    • Web Browser Improvements

Version 5.11 (v1. 59.56)

  • June 14, 2014
  • Improvements
    • Connectivity Improvements on 3G
    • Homelink Improvements
    • Comfort Setting on Pano Roof Changed from 80% to 75%

Version 5.12 (v1.64.39)

  • September 4, 2014
  • Improvements
    • Adds support for new Ionizer hardware
    • Bug Fix for Dashboard/ Speedo and GPS Issues
    • Support for Asian Language Fonts in Media Player
    • Replacement Key Fobs now able to be paired to the car without replacing the BCM
    • Ability to Reset Slacker ID/ Login Back to the Factor Supplied One

Version 5.14 (v1.66.45)

  • September 22, 2014
  • Improvements
    • Adds support for Lane Departure and Speed Assist Features

Version 6.0 (v1.67.125)

  • November 19, 2014
  • New Features
    • Calendar
    • New Power Management Options
    • Location-Based Smart Air Suspension
    • Custom Car Name
    • Feedback Voice Command
  • Improvements
    • Navigation Improvements
      • Improved Traffic Display
      • Improved Turn List
      • Favorites
      • Updated Navigation Maps
    • Door Handle Improvement
    • Refined Graphics for Instrument Panel
    • Fix of Audio Distortion Bug

Version 6.0 (v1.0.81)

  • December 24, 2014
  • Improvements
    • UI Changes in Anticipation of D Release
    • Ability to Open Charge Port by Pressing and Holding the Trunk Button on Keyfob

Version 6.1 (v2.2.200)

  • March 17, 2015
  • New Features
    • Traffic Aware Cruise Control
    • Auto High Beam
    • Forward Collision Warning
    • Trip Energy Predication
    • Energy Option for Battery Display
    • Smart Preconditioning
    • Route Overview
    • Enhanced Park Assist View
    • Reverse Camera Guidelines
    • Calendar Enhancements: Meeting Notes and Phone Numbers
    • Simplified Right Steering Wheel Controls
    • Factory Resets
  • Improvements
    • Media App
      • Shuffle/ Repeat
      • TuneIn Podcasts
      • Improved Rdio Buffering
    • Better High Speed Steering

Version 6.2 (v2.5.85)

  • March 28, 2015
  • New Features
    • Trip Planner: Routing via Superchargers
    • Range Assurance
    • Valet Mode
    • Blind Spot Warning
    • Automatic Emergency Braking
    • Ability to Drop a Pin on the Map
  • Improvements
    • Improved Forward Collision Warning
  • April 10, 2015
  • Improvements
    • Improved Speed and Acceleration of 85D
  • April 17, 2015
  • Improvements
    • Improved Acceleration to P86D
  • May 23, 2015
  • Improvements
    • Improved navigation indicates when supercharger is out of range and additional routing options
    • Improved Blind Spot Warning
    • Improved Automatic Emergency Braking
    • Improved Traffic Aware Cruise Control for Higher Speeds
  • May 30, 2015
  • Improvements
    • More aggressive regen for P85D
    • Torque sleep activated for European Model S
    • Battery Main Contactors Opening now in sequence instead of together
  • September 14, 2015
  • New Features
    • Battery Management
    • Drive Inverter
    • Gateway
    • Thermal Controller

Version 7.0 (v2.8.217)

  • October 16, 2015 (on non AP Model)
  • New Features
    • Dash UI Update
    • RWD Torque Sleep
  • Improvements
    • Flat Looks
    • Clock Widget for Dash
    • Updated trip Widget for Dash
    • Improved Climate Control Efficiency
  • November 15, 2015
  • Improvements
    • Easier inputting of destination in the navigation system

Source: teslamotorsclub.com

 

Model S Image Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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