IT’S the end of the road for two of Tesla’s most influential electric cars – the Model S and Model X.
The US company, owned by Elon Musk, is set to pull both models from their range – but only in the UK.
Tesla’s large, luxury SUV, the Model X, is also being pulled from sale[/caption]
The Model S was a pioneer upon its release, paving the way for other sleek, powerful electric cars such as the Porsche Taycan[/caption]
The Model X was also hugely influential – released years before the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace[/caption]
The Model S, launched some 11 years ago, not only helped establish Tesla as a main player in the car industry, but was also one of the first mass-market, high-performance electric vehicles available to buy.
Upon its debut, it wowed experts and consumers alike with its impressive range, acceleration, sleek design, and advanced tech – and has since set the standard for high class EVs.
It also paved the way for the likes of the Porsche Taycan, Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i5.
The seven-seater Model X has been equally pivotal after it was first unveiled in 2016 – long before the electric SUV became the industry norm.
Of course, we’ve since had the BMW iX, Kia EV6, Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and the Mercedes-Benz EQS, as well as numerous others, all of which were shaped, one way or the other, by the Model X.
Overseas fans of Tesla can be rest assured though, because the Model S and Model X are only to be pulled from sale in the UK.
According to a report by Autocar, less than 10 Model S examples are currently left on Tesla’s website, with the majority of those being the tri-motor Model S Plaid – priced over £100,000.
What’s more, there are only 24 new or ex-demo Model Xs available.
The Model S and Model X are not only remaining available to buy outside of the UK, but are also both set for serious updates.
Speaking on the Ride the Lightning podcast recently, Tesla’s vice president of engineering, Lars Moravy, said: “I think the upgrade the Model S and X got a couple of years ago was bigger than most people thought, in terms of architecture and structure, and the cars got a lot better too.
“But we’ll give them some love later this year and make sure they receive some of the stuff we’ve been putting in the Model 3 and Model Y.”
The consensus, though, appears to be that British drivers have largely turned their backs on the brand, with the number of second-hand sales of the all-electric car doubling in the last year.
Recent data from Gumtree reveals a 128% rise in listings for the brand in the last year, second only to MG.
Some industry experts believe Musk’s new role in the White House may be impacting car sales.
This comes as a rival car brand is set to release their answer to the Cybertruck.
The highly divisive Tesla pickup is one of the world’s most recognisable vehicles right now, but the three-tonne, bulletproof machine is not road-legal in the UK as it does not hold a certificate of conformity.
But drivers keen on an all-electric pickup with a quirky style might be tempted by the next best thing – the new KGM Musso EV.
According to Autoexpress, the Musso EV represents a Cybertruck alternative that will be available to buy and drive legally on our shores by late 2025.
The Musso is already highly popular with pickup fans, so it’s only natural that KGM – which was previously known as SsangYong – opted to produce an all-electric version.
What’s more, this new iteration won’t just be a simple, zero-emissions equivalent of the existing, diesel-powered Musso, as it’s based on the recently launched Torres EVX electric SUV.
