New generation Tesla Model S: Expectations from the Redwood project

After 12 years, the Model S has the opportunity to move to a new generation thanks to the Redwood platform, expected to be produced in mid-2025 at Giga Texas, in the context of Lucid Air and Taycan accelerating.

The Tesla Model S – a large electric sedan that has been commercially available since 2012 – is due for a complete overhaul. According to Reuters, Tesla is said to be developing a completely new platform called Redwood, which is expected to be produced at Giga Texas from mid-2025. If this platform also serves large, luxury cars, a new generation Model S is likely to appear, in the context of increasing competitive pressure from Lucid Air and Porsche Taycan.

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For over a decade, the Model S has been continuously upgraded and maintained its appeal thanks to technology and performance. However, this model is no longer leading in speed, performance and range as emerging competitors have surpassed. Lucid Air Sapphire surpassed Model S Plaid to become the world's fastest electric sedan, and Porsche Taycan Turbo GT showed outstanding performance on the track. However, Tesla's Full Self Driving system is still considered more advanced than most other self-driving technology on the market, although it is not yet complete.

12 years of evolution of an electric vehicle icon

The Model S began development before 2007 and debuted as a concept in 2009. The 2012 production version defined the sporty -luxury language, helping to break the stereotype of “slow and strange electric cars” and putting Tesla at the center of the electric vehicle transition.

In 2015, Tesla significantly upgraded the battery and powertrain for the Model S. By 2016, the P100D version with “Ludicrous” mode reached 762 horsepower, accelerating from 0–60 mph in about 2.5 seconds; “Ludicrous Plus” mode further reduced that to 2.3 seconds. Entering 2021, the Model S received a new exterior, a minimalist interior, and a switch to a horizontal center screen instead of a 17-inch vertical screen. This was also the time when the Model S Plaid appeared – the most powerful variant of the S line – with a controversial gearshift design.

Mold	Main content
2009	Launched as a concept
2012	Commercial version launched, defining sporty and luxurious style
2015	Major upgrades to battery and powertrain
2016	P100D 762 hp, 0–60 mph around 2.5 seconds; “Ludicrous Plus” down to 2.3 seconds
2021	Refreshed design; horizontal display; Model S Plaid addition; controversial gearshift

As competitors accelerate, the need for an "overhaul" becomes urgent.

The Model S remains attractive, but hasn't had a major redesign since 2016. In the meantime, its direct rivals have rapidly improved both performance and driving experience. The Lucid Air Sapphire beats the Model S Plaid in speed, while the Taycan Turbo GT proves its track prowess. In the electric luxury sedan segment, the BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Porsche Taycan put pressure with new product strategies, highly rated performance and handling.

Even though the Model S and Model X will sell fewer than 69,000 units in 2023, the electric sedan segment is still growing. Given the legacy it has built, it has little reason to abandon the game it once led. A sharper next-generation Model S, with an improved platform, better performance, and longer range could provide a much-needed boost in a highly competitive era.

Redwood: New Ground and Possible Milestone

According to Reuters, Tesla is developing a model based on a completely new platform under the “Redwood” project, expected to be produced at Giga Texas in mid-2025. This platform is not only for small, cheap models but can also support large, luxury cars – opening up the possibility for the next generation Model S.

If the Model S does go into a new generation, it would be a rare milestone in the company’s product history, which has seen almost no completely new second-generation replacements (except for the Roadster). The timing and specific approach will depend on Tesla’s strategy, but the market landscape and product pressures create a clear “window of opportunity.”

Technology and experience: platform is still the advantage

Performance aside, technology is the Model S’s mainstay. The Full Self Driving system is still considered more advanced than most other self-driving solutions on the market, even if it’s not yet complete. In the 2021 refresh, the Model S switched to a minimalist interior layout with a horizontal center screen – a decisive change in the way the dashboard is interacted with – showing how Tesla prioritizes software and user interface.

Conclusion: A pivotal moment for the Model S

The Model S has done its part to pave the way for performance electric sedans, from the impressive acceleration figures of the P100D to the arrival of the Plaid. But with pressure from Lucid and Porsche, and the rapid pace of innovation in the luxury segment, a new generation based on the Redwood platform – if it materializes – would be a strategic move. With a history of products that rarely “replace generations,” the rebirth of the Model S would mark a significant milestone for both Tesla and the electric sedan market.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/tesla-model-s-the-he-moi-ky-vong-tu-du-an-redwood-10313333.html