X

Tesla Model S, in Performance Plus trim, drives like a rocket on electric rails

Tesla's Performance Plus trim adds upgraded suspension elements and a 310-kilowatt electric motor to the Model S, getting it from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2014teslamodelswc-002.jpg
1 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The Model S has shown that an electric car can be desirable and practical.

2014teslamodelswc-003.jpg
2 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

An aluminum body helps keep the weight down.

2014teslamodelswc-004.jpg
3 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The battery pack, either in 60-kilowatt-hour or 85-kilowatt-hour capacity, sits underneath the car.

2014teslamodelswc-006.jpg
4 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

An electric motor, about the size of a watermelon, sits between the rear wheels.

2014teslamodelswc-013.jpg
5 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

Sport seats include red stitching as well as bolsters that help keep the driver in place.

2014teslamodelswc-014.jpg
6 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The rear bench accommodates three passengers.

2014 Tesla Model S
7 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The dashboard uses a simple design, dominated by the 17-inch touchscreen.

2014 Tesla Model S
8 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Electric power steering can be set to Sport, Standard, and Comfort settings.

2014teslamodelswc-009.jpg
9 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The Model S design is very elegant, a match for any European car.

2014teslamodelswc-010.jpg
10 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The Performance Plus trim adds the P85+ badge to the rear of the car.

2014teslamodelswc-012.jpg
11 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

A carbon-fiber lip spoiler is optional.

2014 Tesla Model S
12 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.

2014 Tesla Model S
13 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

With no engine under the hood, there is room for cargo.

2014 Tesla Model S
14 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Door handles automatically pop out when you approach the car.

2014 Tesla Model S
15 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Model S is a sedan with a rear hatchback rather than a trunk.

2014 Tesla Model S
16 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Optional rear-facing seats include four-point harnesses and are sized for children.

2014 Tesla Model S
17 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

In Performance Plus trim, the Model S shows extraordinary grip.

2014 Tesla Model S
18 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Model S is designed and built in California.

2014 Tesla Model S
19 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Tesla factory does its own aluminum body-panel stamping.

2014 Tesla Model S
20 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Most of the components in the Model S are manufactured by Tesla.

2014 Tesla Model S
21 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Tesla designed a unique charging port, allowing fast charging at 111 amps.

2014teslamodelswc-016.jpg
22 of 33 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

The Model S includes an adapter for charging at public stations with J1772 plugs.

2014 Tesla Model S
23 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The LCD instrument panel shows this screen when you first get in the car.

2014 Tesla Model S
24 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

When driving, the instrument panel shows this view, with navigation on the left and driver-selectable information on the right.

2014 Tesla Model S
25 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The big center LCD can be set up to show navigation on top and audio on the bottom.

2014 Tesla Model S
26 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Internet-based navigation system includes destination history and favorites.

2014 Tesla Model S
27 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Tesla includes a few Internet-based audio sources.

2014 Tesla Model S
28 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

HD radio comes standard.

2014 Tesla Model S
29 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

Other audio sources include Bluetooth streaming and USB drives.

2014 Tesla Model S
30 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

There are two USB ports, but no iOS integration for audio.

2014 Tesla Model S
31 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The Model S includes a Web browser, which can be used to show the weather, fuel prices, and other information.

2014 Tesla Model S
32 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

The drive settings panel lets you change the way the Model S drives.

2014 Tesla Model S
33 of 33 Josh Miller/CNET

A rear-view camera is the only driver assistance feature.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos