Tesla brings more affordable, but shorter range Model S and Model X

Whoever said "less is more" might've had Tesla's recent strategy in mind. The buzz around Model S and Model X has always been about their performance and respectable range and, of course, how they're making the world a tad greener. But what if you don't need all those extra miles? Tesla now has something for you: a version with a little less juice but a little more green (money, that is) left in your pocket.

Over its existence, Tesla has rolled out a colorful variety of Model S and Model X iterations. They've danced from 40 kWh to 100 kWh battery packs and often, the magic trick was just software wizardry to limit the available capacity. "More choices!" Tesla said, as consumers stared at a buffet of battery possibilities.

Since the 2021 refresh, Tesla seemed to have placed all their chips on the "Long Range" and the "Plaid" versions of the Model S and Model X. The notion of choice seemed like an era gone by. But in a move that may make quite a few people happy, the "Standard Range" version has made a surprising comeback - for now only in the US.

For those who don't speak Tesla-ese, this translates to a cheaper Model S with a starting price of $78,490, which is $10,000 less than its previous iteration. The catch? It gives you 85 miles less, offering a 320 miles range instead of 405 miles. Similar story with the Model X: $10,000 less than its high-flying sibling, but you'll find yourself 79 miles shorter of the destination.

Now, here's the real mystery. Remember those software tricks Tesla is known for? Well, it's uncertain if they're just turning down the "range dial" on their existing battery packs or if they're crafting a whole new battery ensemble. The suspense! It's like waiting to find out who the killer is in a whodunit novel.

There's hope that the coming month will spill the beans as Tesla starts their US deliveries. And if it's the software angle, a fun fact: Tesla has in the past played fairy godmother and magically unlocked the full capacity for a fee. Is Tesla simply back to its old tricks? Trying to hook people in on a lower price, and then reel them in with a juicy incentive? We won’t have to wait too long to find out.

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