Tesla has figured out a new way for customers to buy into the Model S range, offering up the 60 kWh version starting from $66,000 before tax incentives.
In order to end up with that price, you need to do a bit of browsing and remove some of the “already ticked” options such as the 21″ wheels ($4,500), Autopilot ($2,500) and the Smart Air Suspension ($2,500). Also, customers will need to go with a plain color like solid white or black, otherwise they will spend another $1,000 to $1,500.
Compared to faster versions, the rear-wheel driven Model S 60 can accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds and drive for 200 miles (321 km) between charges.
Standard features still include free Supercharger access, regular over-the-air updates, maps & navigation with real time traffic information, removable dividers for the center console, automatic keyless entry, GPS-enabled Homelink plus a wide array of active safety technologies such as side collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, blind spot warning, full LED headlights and power-folding heated side mirrors.
The car we configured for the purposes of this article is a Solid White model with a body colored roof and 19″ Silver Slipstream wheels, which don’t cost anything extra.
While the Model S remains considerably more expensive than the incoming Model 3, a cheaper entry-level alternative should be very well received among those who don’t necessarily see themselves going faster or driving longer distances.