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Tesla Model S Starting Price Drops to $69,420 … Oh, Come On, Elon

tesla model s OEM 01 jpg Tesla Model S | Manufacturer image

Even before Tesla reportedly axed its PR department, Tesla CEO Elon Musk via his Twitter account was seemingly the best official source for Tesla news. That’s where we found the latest announcement regarding the lower starting price of Tesla’s flagship sedan, the Model S, which drops to $69,420 (not including destination).

Related: Tesla Model S Smashes 400-Mile Range Ceiling

Shop the 2020 Tesla Model S near you

Used
2020 Tesla Model S Long Range
43,564 mi.
$34,995 $1,124 price drop
Used
2020 Tesla Model S Performance
45,254 mi.
$46,950 $1,745 price drop

No, really. Read it for yourself. Those lewd, silly numbers sure are funny, Elon. 

Tesla actually announced a $3,000 price drop — to $71,990 — for the base Model S Long Range Plus shortly before this, likely trying to compete for headlines with the newly announced pricing for the Lucid Air, a potential all-electric sedan competitor with a 400-plus mile range that’s eligible for the full $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit that Tesla no longer qualifies for. The Model S Performance also dropped $3,000 to $91,990, but the tri-motor Plaid, available in late 2021, did not receive a price reduction and is still listed at $139,990 on Tesla’s website.

However, once Lucid announced that the Air would have a starting price of $77,400 before factoring in the tax credit ($77,400 minus $7,500 equals $69,900) and an as-yet undetermined destination fee, Musk seized the opportunity to drop the Model S’ price another $2,570 to rarely before seen levels of puerile hilarity.

Given that the Model S still has a destination fee of $1,200, that makes the new price for the base Long Range Plus $70,620. That gets you a dual-motor, white all-electric sedan with an estimated 402 miles of range, a black interior and 19-inch wheels. It doesn’t include the $8,000 “full self-driving capability” feature or optional exterior and interior aesthetic options which can total an extra $1,500-$8,500 depending on your choices. Note that with all things Tesla, these prices could all change at a moment’s notice (or Tweet).

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Brian Normile
Road Test Editor Brian Normile joined the automotive industry and Cars.com in 2013, and he became part of the Editorial staff in 2014. Brian spent his childhood devouring every car magazine he got his hands on — not literally, eventually — and now reviews and tests vehicles to help consumers make informed choices. Someday, Brian hopes to learn what to do with his hands when he’s reviewing a car on camera. He would daily-drive an Alfa Romeo 4C if he could.
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