Tesla 70D Becomes New 329HP Base Model S

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Posted on 08 April 2015 by Zach Doell

 

 

If you were hoping to buy a brand new Tesla Model S 60, we’re sorry, you can’t have one. But you can have something much better. Tesla Motors has cut its base level Model S 60 in favor of the 70D, its new base model. With the name change comes Tesla’s dual motor all-wheel-drive, increased range, and a boost in performance. 

 

Whereas the Model S 60 employed Tesla’s previous 60 kWh battery pack to motivate the sedan, the 70D replaces it with an upgraded 70 kWh unit and adds an electric motor to the front axle, bringing all-wheel-drive as standard to the bottom of the Model S lineup. Tesla says the dual motors have upped the 70D’s zero to 60 mph time to 5.2 seconds, now generating 329 horsepower. The model range now includes four variants – 70D, 85, 85D, and P85D. Tesla offers the sole two-wheel-drive 85 for $5,000 less than the 85D.

Top speed sits at 140 mph (only 15 mph shy of the speedy 691hp P85D), but more impressively, total driving range has eked out to 250 miles. The side effect of ‘more’ car is a bump in price – now up to $75,000 for the base 70D. After federal incentives, that factors out to $67,500 and even less when you factor in fuel savings. Frankly, you do get ‘more’ car for the money.

In addition to all-wheel-drive as standard, the 70D comes with Tesla’s ‘Autopilot’ hardware installed from the get-go, which includes self-parking, lane-keeping, and semi-autonomous traffic-aware cruise control. As with every other Model S, new software features and updates will beam over-the-air.

Looking to stand out from the Model S driving crowd? Tesla is now also offering new three new exterior colors – Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black, and Warm Silver.

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