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Plaid variants of Model S and Model X to go on sale in Europe in December; no date is yet set for UK

Tesla will release the 1100bhp tri-motor Plaid variants of its Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X in Europe at the end of the year, putting the cars back on sale outside of the US for the first time in nearly two years.

The American firm had originally halted sales of its biggest models in September 2021 to focus on a backlog of orders bound for US customers, with just the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y remaining for purchase.

Read more: Tesla Model S Plaid review

At the time, Tesla boss Elon Musk blamed ongoing parts-supply issues, with prospective Model S and Model X buyers asked to pre-order instead.

Now the two cars are back on sale in Europe, albeit only in top-rung Plaid guise, with deliveries tipped for between December 2022 and February 2023.

Originally claimed to get a more than 520-mile range, the Model S Plaid is now confirmed to reach 396 miles on a single charge (nine fewer than the Dual Motor variant) and the Model X Plaid an estimated 333 miles.

The Model S Plaid will hit 62mph in 1.9sec, whereas the Model X Plaid will hit the same speed in 2.5sec. Top speeds are marked at 200mph and 155mph respectively.

Tesla model x plaid

That speed comes at a price, however. The Model S Plaid will set buyers back €138,990 (£118,005), the Model X Plaid €141,990 (£119,721).

The standard Dual Motor variants will go back on sale in the EU next year, Tesla said.

However, despite deliveries getting readied for Europe, Tesla has told Autocar that no timeframe for the models going back on sale in UK, nor of the release of the Plaid variant, have been confirmed. Prospective owners are still asked to pre-order.

Tesla’s website currently reads: “Pricing and options will be finalised as delivery approaches.”

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Full pricing also hasn't yet been confirmed for the UK, with only specifications – the same as the EU models – released.

Will Rimell

Will Rimell Autocar
Title: News editor

Will is Autocar's news editor.​ His focus is on setting Autocar's news agenda, interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand's B2B platform – and Haymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.

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johnfaganwilliams 10 August 2022

It's difficult to criticise perhaps the most sucessful businessman the world has ever seen but wtf? The cars look like frogs to me. That weird one with the strange doors is the ugliest car on sale and the 3 looks just awful - especially in white as most I've seen in Spain seem to be. And what's with the performance? Who needs it? They aren't exactly track ready so it's a feature you pay for and never use. With the Koreans and Chinese on the march I think things are going to get a lot tougher for these brilliant innovators. Musk needs to stop making outrageous claims - 520 miles range becomes less than 400, the trucks were going to launch two years ago etc etc - forget pointless acceleration, build them better and above all hire a stylist. Otherwise it just might end in tears which would be a shame for the man who changed the world, again.

Bob Cholmondeley 6 August 2022

Elon Musk must have a very small penis...

567 5 August 2022

Tesla Fans incoming in 3...2..1.

FRI2 10 August 2022

And they have conquered. See ya