Tesla Model S Refresh: What's Coming Later This Year

February 25,2025

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1. Introduction

   Tesla's flagship vehicle, the Model S, is due for some important updates later this year. According to Lars Moravie, Tesla's Vice President of Engineering, the Model S will be receiving "some love" in the coming months. This information comes from an exclusive interview on the "Ride the Lightning" podcast, where Lars shared insights about Tesla's plans for their luxury sedan.

   The Model S has been a cornerstone of Tesla's lineup since its introduction. Even after the refresh in 2021 (often called the "Plaid refresh"), there's still room for improvement. With the recent updates to Model 3 and Model Y, many Tesla enthusiasts have been wondering what's next for the Model S.

2. Current Status of Model S

   The current Model S received its last major update about three years ago. This refresh brought significant architectural and structural improvements. Lars mentioned that this update was "bigger than most people thought" in terms of the underlying architecture.

   Despite being Tesla's oldest model in production, the Model S Plaid remains incredibly competitive in the market. As Ryan McCaffrey notes in the interview, it may still be the "best overall car in the world" in terms of price performance, range, safety, and utility.

   For under $100,000, customers get a vehicle with rocket-ship acceleration, long-range, and premium features. However, it lacks some newer technologies that have appeared in Tesla's more recent cars.

3.The Coming Refresh

   Lars confirmed that the Model S will receive updates later this year. When asked about upcoming changes for the Model S and Model X, he stated: "We'll give it some love later this year. Make sure it gets a little bit, you know, the stuff we've been putting in three and Y.

   This statement suggests that Tesla plans to bring some of the features and technologies from the refreshed Model 3 and new Model Y to their flagship vehicles. The timing appears to be "later this year," though no specific timeline was provided.

   A necessary clarification was made regarding the future of the Model S lineup. Lars confirmed that contrary to some speculation, the S and X are "not going anywhere... not anytime soon." This should reassure current owners and potential buyers about Tesla's commitment to these vehicles.

4.Model S vs New Model 3 and Y

   The recent updates to Model 3 and Model Y have created a situation where Tesla's less expensive vehicles have some newer features than their flagship models. This includes:

  • More advanced interior materials and designs
  • Updated suspension systems
  • Potentially more efficient heating/cooling systems
  • New manufacturing techniques

    As detailed in the podcast, the Model Y has explicitly received major upgrades to its ride quality and interior comfort. These improvements will likely influence what Tesla brings to the Model S refresh.

   Lars mentioned that Tesla has focused on the higher volume Models 3 and Y first, which makes business sense. But now attention is turning to the flagship vehicles.

5.Why This Refresh Matters

The Model S refresh matters for several key reasons:

  1. Competition: The electric luxury sedan market has become more competitive, with offerings from Mercedes, Lucid, and others.
  2. Technology Alignment: Tesla benefits from aligning technologies across its vehicle lineup.
  3. Consumer Experience: Buyers spending $100,000+ expect the latest features and improvements.
  4. Production Efficiency: Standardizing components and systems across models improves manufacturing.

Lars also mentioned the Model S and X have particular advantages for autonomous driving situations. He specifically noted that for long road trips, the Model X might be preferable to other vehicles due to its comfort and space.

6.Engineering Challenges

   Refreshing Model S presents unique engineering challenges. As Lars discusses throughout the interview, Tesla must balance innovation with production feasibility.

Some potential challenges include:

  • Integrating newer technologies into existing production lines
  • Maintaining or improving the vehicle's performance characteristics
  • Updating the car without disrupting production for too long
  • Ensuring consistency with Tesla's evolving design language

The interview highlights how Tesla has become more adept at managing factory changeovers, as evidenced by the Model Y update. This experience will likely benefit the Model S refresh process.

7.Features We Might See

Based on Lars' comments and recent Tesla updates, the Model S refresh might include:

  • Interior Improvements: Updated materials and potentially a refreshed interior design
  • 48-Volt System: Lars mentioned that all Tesla vehicles will eventually move to 48-volt systems (like Cybertruck)
  • Enhanced Lighting: Interior accent lighting, similar to newer Tesla models
  • Suspension Updates: Improved ride quality, potentially using technology from Model 3/Y refreshes
  • Heat Pump Improvements: Lars specifically praised Tesla's heat pump system as outstanding engineering
  • Manufacturing Updates: Potential adoption of more efficient production techniques

One notable point is that Lars was particularly proud of Tesla's heat pump system, calling it one of his favorite engineering achievements. We might see further refinements to this system in the Model S refresh.

8.Conclusion

   The upcoming Tesla Model S refresh represents Tesla's continued commitment to improving its entire vehicle lineup. While recent focus has been on the high-volume Model 3 and Y, the flagship Model S will soon receive similar attention.

   Lars Moravie's confirmation that the S and X will receive "some love later this year" gives Tesla enthusiasts something to look forward to. The refresh will likely incorporate technologies and improvements from Tesla's newer vehicles while maintaining the Model S's position as Tesla's premium sedan.

   For current Model S owners and those considering a purchase, this news provides reassurance about Tesla's ongoing investment in their flagship vehicle. The exact timing and specifics of the update remain to be seen. Still, improvements are definitely on the horizon for the Model S.

   This blog post is based on information shared by Lars Moravie, Tesla's VP of Engineering, during an interview on the Ride the Lightning podcast, episode #499, published February 23, 2025.
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TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
TPARTS Multi-Device Wireless Game Controller (Special programmed for Tesla Model 3/Y/S/X), Switch/STEAM Deck/PC/Tesla
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