Unlike the Roadster, which was based on a Lotus Elise chassis, the Model S was engineered from scratch as a dedicated electric vehicle, with its battery pack forming a flat structural layer in the floor of the car — a layout that lowered the center of gravity and freed up cabin and cargo space compared with a converted gasoline-car platform.[1][2] Development was led substantially by Tesla's own engineering team, with Musk closely involved in styling and interior decisions, including the push for the then-unusual large central touchscreen.[1][2]
01
At a Glance
The Tesla Model S is a full-size electric sedan that began deliveries in June 2012 as the company's second production vehicle and its first designed entirely in-house rather than adapted from an existing chassis. It introduced a 17-inch center touchscreen, an all-electric platform with a flat battery pack in the floor, and over-the-air software updates that could add new features after purchase — ideas that were unusual in the auto industry at the time and became widely imitated. In November 2012, Motor Trend named it Car of the Year, the first time an electric vehicle not powered by an internal combustion engine had won the award in its 64-year history. Tesla ended Model S production in 2026 to convert its Fremont line to Optimus robot manufacturing.
02
A Clean-Sheet Design
03
Launch and Reception
Deliveries of the Model S began in June 2012 at Tesla's Fremont, California factory.[2][3] The car offered multiple battery options, later variants exceeding 300 miles of EPA-rated range, and performance versions capable of supercar-rivaling acceleration.[2][3]
In November 2012, Motor Trend named the Model S its Car of the Year, marking the first time in the award's 64-year history that a vehicle without an internal combustion engine had won — a widely covered milestone that helped establish the Model S, and Tesla more broadly, as credible competitors to established luxury automakers rather than a niche curiosity.[3][4]
04
Software-Defined Features
The Model S popularized the idea of a car as a platform that improves after purchase through over-the-air software updates, adding features ranging from performance upgrades to, later, Autopilot driver-assistance capability, without requiring a dealership visit.[2][4] It also launched alongside Tesla's Supercharger network, giving owners a path to free or low-cost long-distance fast charging that addressed one of the central practical objections to electric-car ownership at the time.[4][5]
05
Later Years and End of Production
The Model S received a major refresh in 2021 with a redesigned interior, including a "Plaid" performance variant with tri-motor all-wheel drive. Tesla later reserved a limited run of about 250 collector "Signature" editions to mark the end of the model's original production era, some of which have since resold for well over $100,000 above their original price.[5][6]
In January 2026, Musk announced on Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call that the company would end Model S and Model X production in the second quarter of 2026, converting the Fremont line that built both cars — Tesla's oldest continuously produced models — into a dedicated Optimus robot manufacturing line, calling it "an honorable discharge" for the two vehicles that had defined Tesla's first decade of mass production.[6]
06
References
- 1Britannica Money / BusinessWire, Motor Trend Names Tesla Model S as 2013 Car of the Year, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 2Tesla, Tesla Model S Wins One of Automotive Industry's Highest Honors: Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 3NPR, Motor Trend Names Tesla S Car Of The Year, First Electric Car To Receive Honor, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 4Tesla Investor Relations, Tesla, Inc. investor information and filings, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 5All Things Elon, Tesla Model S Signature Listed at $260K, a $100K Markup, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 6CNBC, Elon Musk says Tesla ending Models S and X production, converting Fremont factory lines to make Optimus robots, accessed on September 26, 2026.
07
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Tesla Model S launch?
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Deliveries began in June 2012 at Tesla's Fremont, California factory, as the company's first vehicle designed entirely on its own electric-vehicle platform.
Did the Model S win any major awards?
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Yes. In November 2012, Motor Trend named it Car of the Year, the first time in the award's 64-year history it went to a car without an internal combustion engine.
What features did the Model S introduce to mainstream cars?
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A large central touchscreen interface and over-the-air software updates that could add new features and capabilities, such as Autopilot, after the car was purchased.
When did Tesla stop making the Model S?
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Musk announced on Tesla's January 2026 earnings call that Model S and Model X production would end in the second quarter of 2026, with the Fremont line converted to build the Optimus robot.
How much can a rare Model S sell for today?
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Collector demand for the final Model S Signature editions has been strong; one resale listing in 2026 was priced at $260,490, about $100,000 above its original price.