Tesla Starts Shipping its Highly Anticipated New Model S Plaid

Electric vehicle maker Tesla has a new high-performance version of its Model S, dubbed the Model S Plaid, which was set to start being shipped on Thursday.

The launch of deliveries was accompanied by a live stream event in Fremont, California.

The company’s Chief Executive Elon Musk had hyped the months-delayed vehicle as the “quickest production car ever made” in weeks before the event.

Musk had said the Model S Plaid would deliver acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 2 seconds.

According to Tesla’s website, the tri-motor, all-wheel drive Model S Plaid also produces 1,020 horsepower, features a battery with an EPA-rated range of up to 390 miles and can hit a top speed of 200 miles per hour, if equipped with the proper wheels and tires.

Those won’t be available until the fall, says the fine print on the site.

Musk had said the company had already embarked on production in January on a Tesla earnings call but later reported that Model S (and Model X) production dropped to zero in its first-quarter vehicle deliveries and production update.

The launch of shipping the Plaid had originally been scheduled for June 3. Musk said on Twitter that Tesla also canceled the Model S Plaid plus variant which would have cost drivers around $150,000 and promised a tantalizing battery range of around 520 miles.

Musk tweeted: “Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good,” adding “0 to 60mph in under 2 secs. Quickest production car ever made of any kind. Has to be felt to be believed.”

The company’s Model S Plaid this week had increased by $10,000 to $129,990 — which compares with $79,990 for a long-range 2021 Model S, a dual-motor, all wheel drive version of the electric sedan boasting a battery range of 412 miles.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.