As of January 1, it'll cost you more to buy a 2013 Tesla Model S--as the company said last week.
Now, Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] has released the details of the price increases on the different versions of the Model S all-electric luxury sport sedan.
The new prices are $59,900 for the base version with a 40-kilowatt-hour battery pack, $69,900 for the mid-range 60-kWh model, $79,900 for the top-end 85-kWh level, and $94,900 for the Performance model, which also uses the 85-kWh pack.
That means each car has risen by $2,500. Tesla says that figure is half of what an inflation-adjusted figure might be, given that the company priced the Model S way back in 2009.
Those prices will apply only to buyers who put down a deposit starting January 1 or later.
To sweeten the deal, all Model S cars from January 1 get 12-way adjustable, heated front seats for no extra cost.
Performance Package cars get 19-inch wheels as standard, with 21-inch wheels for $3,500 extra. A new red multi-coat paint shade is also available, for $1,500. Production of the new red shade starts in March 2013.
Any rush by uncommitted buyers to put down deposits on or before December 31 of this year can only help Tesla's quarterly and annual financial results, which will be announced in January.
With European pricing announced very soon, Tesla will also deduct 1,700 Euros (or its equivalent in other European countries) from the base price of a Model S, for any European buyer putting down a deposit by end of day on December 31, 2012.
Batteries from $8,000
Tesla also released pricing for replacement battery packs, giving current and future owners a better sense of what it will cost to own their electric sport sedans over a decade or more.
The price of a 40 kWh pack is $8,000. Another $2,000 gets the 60 kWh pack, and the 85 kWh pack costs another $2,000 on top of that.
The company suffered some criticism by owners and depositors who disliked its mandatory $600-per-year service requirement in order to keep their Model S warranties valid, since battery electric cars require little maintenance beyond inspections and new tires and wiper blades.
But now owners can calculate the cost of potentially replacing a battery pack over the car's longer term life.
Extended warranties, servicing
Long-term ownership costs can be calculated further with the introduction of a new four-year, 50,000-mile extended warranty. This joins the standard four-year, 50,000-mile warranty, and costs an extra $2,500.
Likewise, buyers can purchase an extra four years and 50,000 miles of prepaid maintenance--to add to the previous $600-per-year service package--for an additional $1,900.
Price increases are rarely something to celebrate, but with new features and extended peace-of-mind options, 2013 will still be a good year for Model S buyers.
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