Enlarge image
Tesla Model S: Top variant Plaid + is not coming
Photo: Tesla
Elon Musk is giving up the race for the longest-range production electric car for the time being.
The Tesla boss announced on Twitter on Monday that he would stop work on his previous prestige project.
The top version of the Model S - called Plaid Plus - was suddenly "dispensable," wrote Musk.
The subtle reason given by the company boss: The basic plaid model is "just so good".
Before that, however, the electric car manufacturer had repeatedly fueled the hype about the possible new high-performance variant.
The car should be able to travel more than 800 kilometers on one battery charge.
But more than 400 miles (about 644 kilometers) are not necessary in an electric car, Musk now explained to the specialist portal "Electrek".
Originally, the first customers in the USA should be able to receive the car at the end of the year.
Pre-orderers will now be disappointed.
At least the delivery of the basic model should start on June 10th after a delay due to production problems.
According to the manufacturer, the Model S Plaid has a range of between 630 and 660 kilometers, accelerates from zero to 100 in two seconds and reaches a peak of 320 kilometers per hour.
This means that Mercedes should hold the world record for the long-range electric car, which can already be ordered, for a while longer.
The EQS sedan - the electric counterpart to the S-Class - represents the new demands of the German automotive industry in terms of electromobility and, according to the Stuttgart-based company, should be able to travel 770 kilometers on one battery charge.
The top model has more than 520 hp and is cordoned off at 210 km / h.
more on the subject
First drive in the Mercedes EQS: Daimler wants to attack Tesla with this carBy Thomas Geiger
How long Mercedes will hold the top position in terms of range is open.
In China, the manufacturer Nio is working on a sedan that, thanks to a new type of solid-state battery, should have a range of more than 1000 kilometers.
The US startup Lucid Air has also announced that it wants to break the world record.
So far, however, the development has been delayed again and again.
Tesla has also announced a new edition of the Roadster.
The car should also drive more than 1000 kilometers on one battery charge.
It won't roll off the line until next year at the earliest - unless Musk changes his mind.
fww / Reuters