"Honorary Discharge": Tesla bids farewell to Model S and Model X with a $160,000 "Signature" limited edition
In a move that marks the end of an era, Tesla has announced the launch of the ultra-limited “Signature Edition” for its veterans, the Model S and Model X Plaid. Only 350 hand-picked collectors will have the privilege of parking in the garage what Elon Musk calls “the final bow” to the models that laid the foundation for the electric revolution.
After 14 years of defining the luxury electric sedan and SUV segment, the Model S and Model X are preparing to retire. But Tesla isn't just turning off the lights; it's doing so with a burst of style, gold, and... references to internet culture. The new Signature Edition series, limited to 250 units for the Model S and just 100 for the Model X, has already sold out, according to the latest reports, despite a price tag that would make many people blink twice.
Design: A tribute to "Garnet Red" and gold accents
Visually, the Signature Edition is a love letter to the brand’s history. Both models are finished in the exclusive Garnet Red shade, a modern reinterpretation of the color that the first Model S wowed the world with in 2012.
To emphasize its collector's item status, Tesla has replaced chrome or black elements with gold emblems, including the "Plaid" inscription on the tailgate. The Model S rides on 21-inch Velarium wheels, under which gold carbon-ceramic brake calipers shine, while the Model X gets massive 22-inch Machina wheels.
The Interior: Where Luxury Meets the "Meme"
Inside, the atmosphere is one of a "recording studio," as the manufacturer describes it. Customers will find:
- White Alcantara upholstery (an extremely precious and difficult-to-maintain material, but visually impeccable);
- Standard yoke type steering wheel;
- A numbered plate on the dashboard;
- Courtesy lighting with the "Plaid" logo when opening the doors.
The price? A number that could only have been chosen by Elon Musk: $159,420. If the first three digits reflect exclusivity, the last three — 420 — are a direct reference to the CEO's obsession with social media humor.
In addition to the car itself, the lucky owners receive the Luxe package, which includes free lifetime access to Supercharger and the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, a rare offer in the current landscape of monthly subscriptions.
Why now? The shadow of "Optimus"
The launch of this final edition is not just a marketing ploy. Sources close to the company confirm that Tesla needs space at its Fremont factory. The production lines that have assembled the Model S and X for over a decade are to be retooled for mass production of the humanoid robot Optimus.
Technically, the “Signature Edition” retains the Plaid platform’s impressive numbers: 1,020 hp, 1,420 Nm of torque, and a 0-100 km/h time of less than 2 seconds for the sedan. No changes have been made to the engine, a sign that Tesla engineers believe they have already reached the peak of performance for this architecture.
Anti-speculation clause
To ensure the cars end up with real fans and not in overpriced auctions the next day, Tesla has imposed a one-year “no resale” clause, similar to the one it imposed when the Cybertruck was launched. Violating the contract can result in a $50,000 penalty.
With the delivery of these 350 units, scheduled to begin in May, a glorious chapter closes. The Model S and X leave the stage with their heads held high, making way for a new generation of robotic technologies, but remaining in history as the cars that demonstrated that the future doesn't need gasoline to be spectacular.
What do you think, is this final edition worth a premium of almost $60,000 over the standard Plaid variant, or are we simply paying for a place in the automotive history books?