Tesla drops entry-level 60 Model S variants

Date: 27 March 2017   |   Author: Daniel Puddicombe

Tesla has canned the entry-level 60 and 60 D variants of its Model S saloon less than a year they first went on sale due to a lack of demand.
 
"One year ago, we introduced the Model S 60 kWh battery as a more affordable option to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.  However, most customers ended up buying an equivalent to the Model S 75kWh.  To simplify the ordering process for our customers, we will be removing the 60 kWh option from our lineup," a spokeswoman for the company told BusinessCar.

 The 60 was priced from £66,880 and the 60 D was priced from £71,880, (both excluding the Government's £4,500 Plug-in Car Grant.)
 
At the time of the 60 and 60 D's launch last June, they replaced the discontinued 70 and 70 D variants, providing a step up to the 90 and P90D versions.
 
When the 60 model is dropped - on 16 April this year - the range will consist of the 75, 75 D, 90 D and P100 D, with the entry-level model now costing from £73,380/£78,380, depending on whether you go for the standard rear-wheel drive or the dual-motor all-wheel drive 'D' model. It has a range of 298/304 miles compared with the 248/253 miles for the canned 60 and 60 D variants.

"Customers who still want the opportunity to own a 60 kWh Model S will have until April 16, 2017 to place their order," the spokeswoman added.
 
It'll do 0-62mph in 5.5/5.2 seconds (depending on version), but if it is performance you're after, the P100 D can hit the performance benchmark in 2.5 seconds when equipped with the firm's 'Ludicrous mode'.
 
Both the 60/60 D and 75/75D variants used the same battery hardware, with different software used to increase the output to 75kWh. Meanwhile, the American electric car pioneer will be offering 60 and 60 D owners the opportunity to upgrade their vehicles to 75 specifications via an over-the-air software update.

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