2016 Tesla Model S 70D: more everything

With the recently-announced Tesla Model S 70D, we’re not just talking about a new trim of the car (nor are we talking about a Canon camera model); more specifically, we’re talking about a new base trim as the P60—with us since the Model S’ debut—is no longer available.

It’s a monumental jump.

Instead of just a single motor, we now have two electric mills; power jumps from 380 horsepower to 514 hp in a single coup. That’s a big jump up, sure to have a car that hardly felt sluggish in the first place feel sprightlier still. In addition to more power, we also see a jump in range from 335 kilometres to 383 km, a gain of over 50 extra km. You can thank a more powerful battery—up from 60 kWh to 70 kWh—for the increase.

Although details are a bit scarce at this point, Tesla says that they’ve improved on several components within the car, as well. In that light, the base price climbs a little, to $86,000 in Canada. Three new colours are on the way: Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black and Warm Silver. Sorry, folks; you’ll still need a vinyl wrap if you want hot pink or electric green.

Of course, even though the 70D is all-new, the order books are surely already filling up; deliveries begin in May of 2015.