2023 Tesla Model S Plaid electric car gets track-ready upgrades, but will the flagship EV sedan ever come to Australia?

The Tesla Model S has been discounted and upgraded, but there's still no update on its launch timing in Australia.

Tesla has revealed a Track Package as an optional upgrade for its top-spec Model S Plaid.

The Track Package is available to customers in its US home market from June this year, costing prospective customers between the equivalent of $22,170 to $29,560.

The upgrade kit includes a set of 20-inch aluminium forged alloy wheels clad in Goodyear Supercar 3R track tyres, a full set of carbon-silicon carbide brake rotors (410x40mm on the front and 410x32mm on the back), six-piston forged front callipers with performance pads on the front (with four-piston versions on the back), track-ready brake fluid, and, of course, a firmware upgrade ‘tuned for peak performance’, which also unlocks a 322km/h maximum speed.

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The pack is only compatible with vehicles produced from 2021 onwards, and is only compatible with 20- or 21-inch wheels to clear the upgraded brakes.

Sadly for Aussie buyers wanting a larger Tesla than the Model 3 or Model Y, it seems the Model S and Model X are no closer to an Australian launch, with the most recent update being the removal of the pre-order button from Tesla’s local site.

Up until late last month, prospective Model S and X buyers were able to place $350 deposits to secure their place in the waiting list for the vehicles, but the function was then removed, replaced with a ‘Get Updates’ button instead.

The Model S has received price cuts in the US, now costing from US$89,990 (AU$133,000).

The Model X costs US$99,990 (AU$148,000) after its price cut in the US.

Thus far, Tesla’s local division has not responded to requests for comment on either model. Some Tesla customers have now been waiting two years since having first placed a deposit, with nothing to show for it. Tesla also pulled the pre-order function for its Cybertruck for all markets outside of North America back in 2022.

Interestingly, while the Roadster has been removed as a main model tab on the brand’s local website, it is the only yet-to-arrive car which can still be pre-ordered in Australia, with a whopping $66,000 deposit required.

Meanwhile the Model S and X have received price cuts in the US, now costing from US$89,990 (AU$133,000) for the S, or US$99,990 (AU$148,000) for the X, these reductions represent a roughly $30,000 discount from their previous prices, and are likely needed for Tesla to fend off increasing competition in the premium EV space.