The Farewell Lap: Tesla’s Model S and Model X Enter Retirement This Summer, Paving the Way for a Robotic Future
For over a decade, the Tesla Model S and Model X have served as the vanguard of the electr
ic revolution, pushing the boundaries of performance, range, and automotive innovation. Now, in a seismic shift that signals the brand’s accelerating evolution, production of these pioneering electric vehicles is slated to cease this summer. This strategic pivot, announced by CEO Elon Musk, marks the end of an era for Tesla’s foundational luxury sedans and SUVs, as the company reallocates its manufacturing prowess towards the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence and robotics.
Since its debut in 2012, the Tesla Model S has been nothing short of a paradigm shifter in the automotive landscape. It arrived not just as another electric car, but as a bold declaration of what was possible – a sleek, high-performance sedan that could challenge, and often surpass, its gasoline-powered luxury contemporaries in sheer desirability and technological sophistication. Its initial offerings, like the 416bhp Performance variant boasting an impressive 300 miles of range (even by the then-prevailing NEDC standards), represented a significant leap forward. When adjusted for inflation, the initial £68,700 price tag translates to a substantial investment today, underscoring its premium positioning from the outset.
Our own road tests from 2013 painted a vivid picture of the Model S’s groundbreaking status. Awarded a stellar 4.5 stars, it decisively outperformed its segment rivals, including esteemed names like the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, and hybrid iterations of the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Audi A8. The verdict from our experienced testers was unequivocal: “Of the half-dozen electric cars that we’ve road tested during the re-emergence of the EV, only two have managed to complete our full set of track tests, photo shoots and road assessments without the assistance of a trailer.” This highlighted not only the Model S’s robust engineering but also its ability to integrate seamlessly into the real-world driving experience, a feat few EVs of that era could claim.
The commentary from that period resonates with prescient accuracy: “Finally, it seems, here’s a company that understands the workings of the automotive consumer. Small cars are already cheap and use very little fuel. So making an electric one of those work for everybody is going to be a very hard task, as their sales, or lack of, demonstrate. With a luxury car, though, Tesla has found it easier to gain price and performance parity with its rivals. It has been able to offer a vast range by fitting vast batteries and has found a customer base more open to the new technology and with more resources at their work and home to counter the drawbacks. Practical, refined and, above all, desirable, the Model S is a triumph.” This sentiment captured the essence of Tesla’s early success – identifying a segment where the inherent advantages of electric propulsion, coupled with a willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology, could yield exceptional results.
The Tesla Model X, introduced in 2015, built upon the Model S’s foundation, translating its electric prowess into the more utilitarian and family-oriented SUV segment. Its signature ‘falcon-wing’ doors were a polarizing but undeniably distinctive feature, setting it apart from anything else on the market. While it may not have achieved the same class-leading accolades as its sedan sibling – with some critiques focusing on a somewhat firm ride and occasional build quality inconsistencies – the Model X still presented a compelling alternative in a competitive automotive landscape. It offered the unique proposition of electric power within a spacious, seven-seat configuration, appealing to a different set of consumer needs. Our assessment at the time concluded: “It is necessary once again – even with qualifications – to acknowledge that there is nothing else like the Model X.” This sentiment underscored its unique market position and its ability to carve out its own niche.
The true apex of the Model S and Model X lineage arrived with the Tesla Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid variants. Launched in 2021, the Plaid models weren’t just performance upgrades; they were a declaration of intent from Tesla, aiming to shatter existing benchmarks for acceleration in production vehicles. Elon Musk himself claimed the Model S Plaid to be the “quickest production car ever made of any kind,” with an astonishing 0-60mph time of 1.99 seconds. While this figure relied on a slight “roll-out” – meaning the timing began when the car was already in motion – it undeniably represented a monumental achievement.
Even with our own rigorous testing methodology, which clocked the Model S Plaid at a still blistering 2.4 seconds, it remained the fastest-accelerating car Autocar had ever tested by August 2023. This placed it in rarefied air, surpassing even legendary hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron Supersport. The Plaid variants continued to hold this distinction, proving that electric car performance had not only caught up to but had decisively surpassed internal combustion engine dominance in certain metrics. Despite facing stiff competition from other electrified performance machines, such as the electric Lotus Evija (2.8 seconds) and the hybrid Lamborghini Revuelto (2.5 seconds), the Model S Plaid’s raw acceleration capabilities remained a benchmark.
The decision to discontinue the Model S and Model X, while marking the end of an era, is a strategic move that reflects Tesla’s evolving business priorities. The factory in Fremont, California, which has been instrumental in producing these foundational models, is set to undergo a significant transformation. It will be retooled to focus on the production of Tesla Optimus robots. This ambitious undertaking signifies a major diversification for the company, a substantial investment into artificial intelligence and automation that goes far beyond the automotive sector. Musk’s vision extends to integrating these advanced robotic capabilities into various industries, and potentially, into household applications, further solidifying Tesla’s position as a technology powerhouse.
This strategic shift is underscored by sales figures. While the Model S and Model X have served as technological flagships, their contribution to Tesla’s overall sales volume has become increasingly modest. In the past year, combined deliveries of these two models fell below 50,000 units. This pales in comparison to the nearly 1.6 million Model 3 sedans and Model Y SUVs that found new owners, demonstrating the market’s strong appetite for Tesla’s more mass-market offerings. The brand’s lineup will now predominantly feature the Model 3 electric sedan, the Model Y electric SUV, and the distinctive Cybertruck electric pickup truck.
Looking ahead, Tesla’s product roadmap continues to showcase its commitment to innovation. The long-awaited Tesla Roadster, promised to be a halo performance vehicle, is slated to be unveiled in its production specification on April 1st of this year. Following this, the highly anticipated Tesla Cybercab, a fully autonomous vehicle designed without traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals, is projected to arrive in 2027. These upcoming models highlight Tesla’s relentless pursuit of the future of transportation, encompassing both thrilling performance and radical advancements in autonomous driving technology.
The transition away from the Model S and Model X is not a reflection of their shortcomings but rather a testament to Tesla’s rapid innovation cycle and its forward-looking vision. They have paved the way for current electric vehicle advancements and have proven that high-performance, long-range electric cars are not just feasible but desirable. Their legacy is cemented in their pioneering spirit and their role in accelerating the global shift towards sustainable transportation. For enthusiasts and early adopters who have cherished these groundbreaking vehicles, this summer represents a bittersweet farewell to a defining chapter in automotive history.
As Tesla charts its course towards a future dominated by AI, robotics, and advanced autonomous systems, the spirit of innovation embodied by the Model S and Model X will undoubtedly live on. The lessons learned, the technologies perfected, and the customer base cultivated through these initial successes have laid an indispensable foundation for Tesla’s ambitious next steps.
If you’ve been captivated by the transformative journey of electric vehicles and are eager to explore the latest in automotive innovation, now is the perfect time to discover how Tesla’s current lineup, or perhaps an upcoming groundbreaking model, aligns with your vision for the future of driving. Explore the Model 3, Model Y, or Cybertruck, and consider how you can be part of the next wave of automotive evolution.
