Tesla Model S: upgrade to 90 kWh for older models

Tesla Model S

Some cars produced by the American brand Tesla - excluding the Roadster - are now 9 years old, the famous Model S in fact came out in 2012 and now it could be the right time to have a battery change; one of the interesting solutions proposed by the Californian company is to upgrade what is installed on the vehicle, yet there are some warnings.

Although the 100 kWh pack is available - mounted on the 100D and P100D - Tesla recommends upgrade to 90 kWh version for weight; in fact, as per the official EPA document, the increased version is actually 103,892 kWh and much heavier than the previous 90 kWh, it would therefore also be necessary to install structural reinforcements that would make the operation complex and financially disadvantageous for the end user.

If this were not enough to convince him, Tesla adds that even the suspensions should be replaced as the calibrations are different on the 100 kWh version compared to the others due to the increased weight; in the event of a collision, even the operation of the airbags could be compromised as the mass would be greater than that for which they were designed.

In short, even if on paper the difference seems negligible between the two versions, this one the latter are decidedly different models and for this Tesla recommends the upgrade up to a maximum of 90 kWh.

Strangely enough the warning about the weight gain is not mentioned when you go from 70 kWh to 90 kWh, let's assume in fact that it can be the same battery with a software limitation and therefore would have no difficulty in upgrading to the more performing version, or that both the 70 kWh and the 90 kWh have the same reinforcements, thus being able to change without any problem.

In any case it should be emphasized that this is an option little used by the users of the brand who, just like with the Battery swap stations, prefer to change the car and give it back directly to Tesla, without worry about extraordinary maintenance.

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Tesla just hiked the prices of its most popular cars - here's how much each model will set you back

© Tesla Tesla's cars range in price from around $40,000 to $150,000 Tesla

Tesla sells four models - the Model S, 3, X, and Y - in several different trim levels.

Options for them include different interior colors, extra seats, and performance packages.

Teslas range in price from roughly $40,000 to $150,000.

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Tesla is known to quietly raise and lower prices seemingly at random.

In October, Tesla CEO Elon Musk dropped the price of the Model S sedan to $69,420 after rival Lucid announced its sedan would start at $69,900. And in March, the company hiked the price for four of its models by up to $10,000. On Friday, it raised the cost of some Model 3 and Model Y trims by up to $1,000.

With price changes on a constant basis, it can be tough to keep track of it all. Those shopping for a new Tesla can consult this guide to understand the latest prices of the Tesla Model S, 3, X, and Y, and how the models stack up.

Although add-ons vary between models, any Tesla can be optioned with the $10,000 'full self-driving' driver-assistance package, which doesn't currently make Teslas fully autonomous.

Model S © Cars.com Tesla Model S. Cars.com

Launched in 2012, the Model S sedan is Tesla's longest-running model. The luxury four-door got an overhaul at the top of 2021, which included an updated exterior and a controversial new steering yoke. It's the choice for EV buyers who have a little more to spend and don't want a crossover.

Here's how each Model S breaks down:

Long Range: For $79,990, the base Model S delivers an estimated range of 375 miles, a top speed of 155 mph, and a 0-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds.

Plaid: The $119,990 Model S Plaid, whose name is a reference to the movie 'Space Balls,' travels 350 miles on a charge, hits a top speed of 200 mph, and sprints to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, Tesla says. Both Plaid models have three motors good for more than 1,000 horsepower.

Plaid Plus: The $149,990 Plaid Plus is the most advanced Model S yet. Tesla says it will do 0-60 mph in under two seconds, has a top speed of 200 mph, and has a range of more than 520 miles. Deliveries are set to start in 2022.

A paint color other than white will run you $1,500 to $2,500, 21-inch wheels cost $4,500, and a white or off-white interior costs $2,500.

Model 3 © Tesla Tesla Model 3. Tesla

With the debut of the Model 3 in 2017, Tesla made good on its promise to build a more affordable vehicle than the Model S or Model X that came before it. And since it launched, the Model 3 has proved wildly successful, becoming both Tesla's most popular model and the overall best-selling EV in the world in 2020.

The Model 3 comes in three flavors:

Standard Range Plus: The $38,490 base Model 3 gets an estimated range of 263 miles, a top speed of 140 mph, and a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds.

Long Range: The $47,490 Long Range model has an EPA-estimated range of 353 miles

Performance: For $56,990, the sporty Model 3 Performance delivers a 315-mile range, a top speed of 162 mph, and a 0-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds. It also has a lowered suspension, better brakes, and 20-inch wheels as standard.

A paint color other than white will set you back $1,000 to $2,000, 19-inch rims cost $1,500, and a white interior - as opposed to the standard black - costs a $1,000 premium.

Read more: Don't blame bitcoin for Tesla's stock slide - it's high-time faithful investors took some profits

Model X © Tesla Tesla Model X. Tesla

The Model X crossover is Tesla's second-oldest model behind the Model S. It hit the market in 2015.

There are two versions of the Model X:

Long Range: For $89,990, the dual-motor base Model X delivers 350 miles of estimated range and a 155-mph top speed.

Plaid: The $119,990 Plaid version steps things up a notch with three motors that Tesla says put out 1,020 horsepower. Tesla says the high-performance crossover will have a 330-mile range and a 0-60-mph time of 2.5 seconds when deliveries start in May.

Like on Tesla's other vehicles, a white paint job comes standard - black, silver, blue, or red will run you $1,500 to $2,500. Five seats come standard, and a six-seat or seven-seat layout costs $6,500 and $3,500, respectively.

A white or cream interior costs $2,000, while bigger rims go for $5,500.

Model Y © Tesla Tesla Model Y. Tesla

Starting deliveries in early 2020, the Model Y compact crossover is Tesla's newest vehicle. It's based on the same platform as the Model 3, but has more cargo capacity, rides higher, and has a general shape more like the Model X. It's proving to be a hot seller just like its sedan sibling.

The Model Y comes in two versions:

Long Range: The $50,490 base vehicle has an EPA-estimated range of 326 miles, a top speed of 135 mph, and makes the sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Performance: The sportier option costs $60,990, and although it gets a lower range of 303 miles, it makes up for it in performance upgrades. The crossover accelerates to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, has a higher top speed, and comes with bigger wheels, better brakes, and a lowered suspension.

There's also a more affordable Standard Range model that Tesla briefly sold starting in January. Elon Musk said on Twitter it's still available as an off-menu option.

Buyers can shell out an extra $1,000 for a tow hitch, $1,000 for a white interior, and $3,000 for third-row seating. A non-white paint job costs $1,000 to $2,000, while bigger rims command $2,000.