Tesla could have a new Model S variant coming soon

Tesla isn't actively manufacturing cars at the moment, but that hasn't stopped a new version of the Model S from apparently taking joyrides around Palo Alto.

The electric vehicle-centric YouTube channel The Kilowatts posted a video over the weekend showcasing a new and previously unseen Tesla Model S that they saw driving around in the vicinity of Tesla's headquarters. Most of the shots in the video were taken with a dash cam, so the quality can be hit-or-miss, but there are also a couple of clearer phone shots showing off this mysterious Model S variant.

The most noticeable change in this unknown vehicle (seen with a manufacturing license plate) would probably be a wider overall body shape than the Model S that's available now. The headlights also look slightly different, as does the rear diffuser that you can see for most of the video. It's not mindblowing or revolutionary, but it's clearly a different-looking car than the current Model S.

All that leaves for us is to wonder what, exactly, this is. Tesla has already confirmed a new performance-minded "Plaid" Model S will begin manufacturing and delivery in late 2021, with a starting price of about $140,000. What The Kilowatts saw could very well be a pre-release version of the Plaid model, though the video is quick to point out that Tesla has previously shown the Plaid with a rear spoiler. The new Model S seen in the video does not have a spoiler of any kind.

If it isn't Plaid, this could be a refresh of the regular Model S. That may help explain why Tesla's production lines are taking a couple weeks off between the end of 2020 and the start of 2021, which CEO Elon Musk never really gave a reason for. It could be seen as especially odd given Tesla fell just short of shipment expectations for the year. Revamping the lines to produce a new Model S would certainly make sense.