Model S gets facelift as Tesla demand soars

Tesla is calling it "the week that electric vehicles went mainstream" and it's certainly looking as if the California-based upstart start-up has opened a significant lead over its electric car rivals with both the launch of the insanely popular Model 3 and now the unveiling of a facelift for the Model S.

The 3’s success is simply unprecedented. It’s not merely a matter of keen customers queuing outside dealerships to slap down $1,000 deposits (something simply never seen in the car world before), it’s the fact that in just a few days since this unfinished, untested new electric saloon was first revealed to the public, Tesla has taken 325,000 orders for it.

Most conventional cars, even hugely popular ones, would take at least two years to find that many customers. The influx of deposits is reckoned to have netted Tesla as much as $500 million in operating cash.

Tesla is also this week revealing a major facelift for its large Model S saloon, along with an average price increase of $1,500 to give the Model 3 range a little more breathing room.

The most obvious change is to the front of the car, where the “radiator” grille has disappeared and been replaced by a blunt, flat geometric face in keeping with the styling of the Model X and Model 3. There’s still a tiny, vestigal air inlet where the badge sits at the front but Tesla has not confirmed if it is functional or not.

Aerodynamic performance

The change serves three purposes: it improves the aerodynamic performance of the car, it should contribute to a higher score on the EuroNCAP pedestrian impact test and it brings the Model S’s styling into line with the rest of the Tesla range.

The S will also now get the HEPA air filtration system for its climate control already used by the Model X. Tesla has previously referred to this as the “Bio-Weapons Defence Mode” as it can remove a claimed 99.7 per cent of allergens, pollution, smog and bacteria from the incoming air.

Tesla hasn’t used the half- joking name in the Model S release, so it’s possible that the tag has been dropped in deference to increasing global concerns over terrorist attacks.

Technical front

On the technical front, the car’s on-board charging system has been increased in power from 40 amps to 48 amps, which will speed up charging times a little. Inside there are also some new trim options, including dark and light ash wood for the fascia and doors. The headlights are now fully adaptive LED units.

Rumours are still circulating that Tesla has a P100D model waiting in the wings, with even more powerful electric motors than the current, seriously rapid, P90D version but as yet there’s no sign of it.

However, fans of gaming might be keen to know that there is now a new "Easter Egg" in the car's central instrument display – a couple of quick clicks on the car's cruise control button will make it appear as if your Model S is driving along the "Rainbow Road" from the hugely popular Mario Kart video game.

It’s not been an entirely good week for Tesla, though. The Model X SUV, with its distinctive gullwing rear doors, has been recalled over safety fears. Putting the car through the strict European crash tests revealed a flaw in the third- row seats which could cause them to collapse under the weight of an occupant in a heavy impact.

“We’ve had no issues with failures in the field,” said Jon McNeill, Tesla’s head of global sales and service. “But consistent with Tesla’s approach, we’re erring on the side of putting our customers’ safety first.”