Tesla Model S 75D
Tesla Model S 75D £68,950
WE SAY: UNTIL THE MODEL 3 MAKES IT OVER THE ATLANTIC, THIS IS THE CHEAPEST TESLA
We wish Tesla CEO Elon Musk would spend less time tweeting himself into expensive, potentially damaging lawsuits, and a bit more running the company he’s helped build into an EV heavyweight. Then we Brits might finally get our hands on the Model 3, the fabled ‘affordable’ Tesla, more than a year after its US launch. Till then, this is the cheapest Tesla you can buy in the UK. It’s a Model S with the 75kWh battery and dual motors, giving 304 miles of claimed range (NEDC) and 0–60mph in 4.2secs. All for the princely sum of £68,950. Which is still quite a lot of money, isn’t it?
But the Model S is a lot of car. In size terms, if nothing else. Because it was designed and developed by Americans, it feels far larger than any of its competitors (we’re thinking 5-Series, E-Class, A6). Just a mite too wide to enjoy driving in Britain, in fact. But thankfully this bigness is carried on inside, where there’s much storage (two boots – handy) and the option
of a pair of rearward-facing kids seats, ˆ la Volvo three decades ago. And even though this is the cheapest Model S, you still get loads of tech. The 17in portrait touchscreen is present and correct, and, as far as we can tell, not missing any functionality. The only thing we’d add is Autopilot. At £4,800 it’s an expensive box to tick, but going without is a bit like ordering your fish ’n’ chips without batter.
Still fast, too. Enough to make your passengers swear/scream – at least up to 60mph. Where the 75D really misses out is on range – that’s what you’re (not) paying for. We live in a world where £30k Kias and Hyundais will do a realworld 250 miles to a charge, and we only got about 230 from the Tesla. That said, the performance/range on offer here will be enough for most people, and besides, it’s a desirable item. Amusing as it is, don’t be lured in by promises of ‘ludicrous’ acceleration or whatever – this is all the Model S you’d ever need.
SPECIFICATION
75kWh electric motor, AWD, 259bhp, 243lb ft 4.05 mpkWh, 0g/km CO 0–60mph in 4.2secs, 140mph 2108kg
VERDICT: Cheapest Model S is the one to have, even if it is a bit low on range.