Tesla has released details on its new entry-level specification for the fully-electric Model S luxury car. Called the Model S 70D, it’s available to order now and it’s priced from £54,500 after taking into account the Government’s £5,000 electric car grant.
The four-wheel drive 70D takes over the rear-wheel drive 60 specification as the starting model for the Model S. It has a smaller battery and less powerful motors compared to other versions of this car in order to achieve a lower buying price.
While its output is nowhere near the eye-popping 682bhp offering by the range topping P85D model, the new Model S 70D can still deliver 507bhp from its motors. The 70D will cover the 0-62mph sprint in 5.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 140mph.
The official maximum range for the Model S 70D is 275 miles. This is 25 miles less compared to the P85D specification, but that costs over £20,000 more than this new entry-level spec.
The most eye-catching driving feature for the new Model S 70D is the Tesla Autopilot software. This works using several onboard cameras and sensors and allows the car to automatically and safely steer, accelerate and brake on motorways without the driver’s input on the steering wheel. The Tesla Autopilot feature can also use its cameras to read and automatically follow road signs which it travels past.
This Autopilot software is standard on the 70D model, along with parking sensors and sensor-based automatic braking. Owners of the Tesla Model S 70D will also be granted free access to the manufacturer’s growing network of ‘Supercharger’ charging stations.
