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Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk: “Model S variants to arrive next year”

Tesla Model S sedan
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There’s no denying Tesla Motor’s Model S is red hot at the moment. It’s the automotive equivalent to Justin Bieber (he is still cool, right?), at least for EV fans and automotive journalists that is. When the Model S isn’t busy collecting awards, the sleek electric sports sedan is busy turning heads at one of Tesla’s many Apple-like shops across the country. Needless to say, there is a remarkable amount of hype surrounding the California start-up and one of the major sources of that hype is the company’s enigmatic CEO Elon Musk.

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As reported by AutoblogGreen, during a recent third quarter financial results call, Musk hinted at the future production of Model S variants due sometime next year, stating: “There are a few other variants of the Model S that we’ll come out next year that I think are going to be pretty exciting.”

In addition to this teasing, yet vague proclamation, Musk reportedly discussed Tesla’s ongoing efforts with the company’s next vehicle, the all-electric crossover known as the Model X, as well as the fact that work has begun on the company’s third-generation and yet–to-be-named vehicle it hopes to launch before the end of the decade.

Of course all of this is simply talk, and we have no way of knowing what is actually in the works for the California-based automaker, but it does give us ample opportunity to speculate and dissect what this all means.

For starters, it’s more than likely Mr. Musk is simply referring to a better handling and performance package, which was mentioned a few months back. Another possibility could be the introduction of an all-wheel-drive system in addition to the current rear-wheel-drive layout found in the Model S. Finally, there is talk of adding an open-air model as well as one with battery packs larger than the current 85 kWh variety found in the Performance Model S.

Aside from speculation, Musk revealed that in response to customer demand, Tesla will make other options available to customers upon ordering their vehicles, in addition to others that could be retroactively fitted.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear: We’ll be seeing much more from the Model S in the near future.

What types of additions would you like to see, if any, in the Model S? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.

Amir Iliaifar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
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