Tesla Model S (2012) vs Tesla Model S (2016)

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Model S (2012) compared with Model S (2016)

	TeslaModel S (2012)	TeslaModel S (2016)
Overview
Released
Released	June 2012	2016
Performance
Powertrain
Powertrain	Electric	Electric
Power
Power	302–463 bhp	315–605 bhp (better)
0–62 mph
0–62 mph	3.3–5.8 s	2.7–5.8 s (better)
Top speed
Top speed	120–155 mph	130–155 mph
Engine or motors
Engine or motors	Original liquid-cooled AC induction rear motor; D versions add a front motor. Tesla’s 2012 US sheet gives 270 kW / 362 hp for the 85 and 310 kW / 416 hp for Performance. Its 2013 brochure (read as a ReadkonG copy) gives 225 kW / 302 hp for the original 60. Later European figures are from the exact EV Database listings: 278 kW (85), 235 kW (70), 245 kW (70D), 311 kW (85D) and 345 kW (P85D), converted to bhp. These are separate period specifications, rather than a single unchanging launch rating.	Configuration power figures are from EV Database: 235 kW (60 and 75), 245 kW (60D), 350 kW (later 75D), 311 kW (90D), 345 kW (P90D), 397 kW (P90D Ludicrous) and 451 kW (100D), converted to bhp. Its P100D power is explicitly estimated and is omitted. These represent the listed configurations during their production periods, not a single launch specification.
Torque
Torque	2012 US specification: 440 Nm (85) or 600 Nm (Performance).	–
Gearbox
Gearbox	Single-speed transaxle; 9.73:1 reduction ratio on the original rear-wheel-drive version.	Single-speed fixed gear
Drive
Drive	Rear-wheel drive on the original 60, 70, 85 and P85/P85+; all-wheel drive on D versions.	Rear-wheel drive on 60 and 75; front and rear motors with all-wheel drive on D versions
Range and charging
Fastest charging
Fastest charging	90–120 kW	120–145 kW (better)
Range detail
Range detail	Tesla’s 2012 US sheet rates the 85 and Performance at 265 miles EPA. The 2013 brochure gives 208 miles EPA for the 60. EV Database gives 312 miles NEDC for the later European 85. EPA and NEDC figures are retained here and are not entered as WLTP range. Tesla’s 2012 acceleration figures are 0–60 mph (5.6 seconds for 85 and 4.4 for Performance), so they are not entered in the 0–62 mph fields.	These versions use NEDC rather than WLTP. EV Database lists 249 miles (60), 254 miles (60D), 298 miles (75), 304 miles (75D), 557 km (90D), 509 km (P90D), 316 miles (P90D Ludicrous) and 393 miles (100D). No NEDC or estimated real-world range is placed in the WLTP comparison field.
Charging
Charging	2012 US specification: 90 kW peak DC Supercharging on the 85; Supercharging was optional for the 60. Standard 10 kW AC onboard charger, or optional 20 kW twin chargers in that US specification. EV Database’s later European 70/70D/85/85D/P85D listings give up to 120 kW DC and 11 kW AC. Battery badge numbers are not published usable capacities. The original 60 has a 60 kWh pack, unlike the software-limited 75 kWh pack in the later 2016 60.	Maximum DC charging figures are from EV Database: 120 kW for the listed 60–90 kWh configurations and 145 kW for 100D/P100D; output varies during charging. Tesla confirms that the 2016 60 and 60D had batteries upgradeable to 75 kWh by a paid software update. Model badges are not usable battery capacities, and EV Database’s estimated usable capacities are omitted.
Practicality
Body
Body	Saloon	Saloon
Seats
Seats	5–7 (better)	5
Boot
Boot	744.7 litres	–
Length
Length	4,970 mm	4,970 mm
Width
Width	1,964 mm	1,964 mm
Boot
Boot	2012 US sheet: rear luggage space 744.7 litres with rear seats up or 1,645.2 litres folded, plus a separate 150.1-litre front boot. The January 2016 European manual lists combined front/rear totals of 894.85 litres for single-motor cars and 815.5 litres for dual-motor cars; those combined totals are not used as rear boot capacity. Optional rear-facing seats accommodate two children, rather than two additional adults.	–
Size
Size	Main dimensions use the January 2016 pre-facelift European manual: 4,970 mm long and 1,964 mm wide without mirrors; 2,189 mm with mirrors, 1,445 mm high and 2,960 mm wheelbase. The 2012 US launch sheet instead gives 4,978 mm length, 1,435 mm height and describes its 1,964 mm width as mirrors folded. These source differences are retained rather than treating all markets and dates as identical.	Tesla’s historical 2012–2020 North American manual gives 4,970 mm length, 1,964 mm width without mirrors, 2,189 mm with mirrors and 2,960 mm wheelbase. Its software documentation is updated, so features must be checked against the vehicle’s build date and options.
Release and generation details
Release and generation details	First customer deliveries were on 22 June 2012 in the US. Tesla’s Q1 2013 filing confirms original 60 kWh deliveries began in that quarter; the launch sheet’s autumn 2012 wording was a production plan. UK deliveries began in June 2014. Dual-motor deliveries began in December 2014. Tesla reported the 70 kWh rear-/all-wheel-drive options and 90 kWh upgrade in its 2015 filing. The 90D/P90D badges and Ludicrous option are confirmed by the maker service manual, but later facelift performance figures are not substituted where pre-facelift specifications remain unverified.	–
Tech and safety
Infotainment
Infotainment	17-inch portrait centre touchscreen and separate driver instrument display.	17-inch portrait centre touchscreen and a separate instrument display. The April 2016 hardware update included a new front fascia, adaptive headlights and access to optional HEPA filtration. Autopilot hardware and software differ by build date and purchased options.