The Tesla Model S has received a drivetrain update that will give it 370 miles of range in the combined EPA test cycle using the same 100 kWh battery pack as before.
In addition, the Tesla Model X SUV has also received a rejigged drivetrain that has boosted range to 325 miles combined for the 100 kWh model.
Tesla was already the undisputed king of electric vehicle range, but with these updates, its lead over the competition has extended even further.
“Tesla vehicles already travel farther on a single charge than any other production EV on the market,” the company said in a statement. “Today, we’re making changes to Model S and Model X that allow them to travel unprecedented distances without needing to recharge, beating our own record for the longest-range production EVs on the road.”
So where did these newfound drivetrain efficiencies come from? Tesla says its updated drivetrain features new electric motors, along with improved lubrication, cooling, bearings, and gear designs for reduced friction.
“The net effect (of the upgrades) is a more than 10% improvement in range, with efficiency improvements in both directions as energy flows out of the battery during acceleration and back into the battery through regenerative braking,” Tesla added.
The Model S and Model X now boast improved 0-60 mph times in both Long Range and Standard Range trim levels as well, although Tesla did not provide any official performance figures.
Finally, the two EVs have also received updated software for the adaptive suspension system, which Tesla says is designed to provide “an ultra-cushioned feel when cruising on the highway or using Autopilot, and a responsive, exhilarating confidence during dynamic driving.”
Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles with these changes will go into production at Tesla’s Fremont factory in California this week and can be ordered immediately through the automaker’s web store.