Tesla says goodbye to Model S & Model X but this ending feels… different
18/04/2026
There was a time when the Tesla Model S was the future.
Not just another electric car, but the electric car the one that forced the entire industry to wake up, rethink itself, and start moving faster than it ever had before. The Model X followed with a similar ambition, adding bold design and family practicality into Tesla’s growing ecosystem. Now, more than a decade later, Tesla is quietly closing that chapter.
A final run reserved for the few
Tesla has announced a limited Signature Series for both the Model S and Model X, effectively the last versions of these cars before production comes to an end. But this isn’t a celebration for everyone.
Production is extremely limited. Around 250 units of the Model S and just 100 units of the Model X will be built. And if you want one, you won’t find it in a configurator. You’ll need an invitation.
Pricing is expected to land somewhere between €140,000 and €150,000, placing these cars firmly in collector territory. And Tesla is making sure they stay there, owners are contractually forbidden from reselling the car within the first year, or risk a penalty of roughly €45,000.
Gold details, full spec and a hint of nostalgia
Visually, the Signature Series leans into subtle but deliberate distinction. Gold exterior badges replace the usual chrome or black. Inside, you’ll find Signature branding, numbered plaques, and small details that remind you this is not just another Model S or Model X, it’s the last one you’ll ever be able to buy new.
Underneath, everything is familiar. These are fully loaded Plaid models. Brutally fast, still absurdly capable, still relevant from a performance standpoint. On paper, nothing about these cars feels outdated. And yet, everything about this moment does.
Because this isn’t really about the cars anymore
Tesla isn’t ending the Model S and Model X because they suddenly became bad products. They’re ending them because they no longer fit the strategy.
The reality is simple: the Model 3 and Model Y dominate Tesla’s sales. They’re cheaper, easier to produce, and globally scalable. The S and X, despite their importance, became niche products in Tesla’s own portfolio.
And now, the company is looking even further ahead. Factories that once built flagship sedans are being repurposed. Not for new cars, but for humanoid robots.
From flagship cars to robots, seriously
That’s the part that feels almost surreal. Tesla isn’t just moving away from its original halo models. It’s actively shifting focus toward AI, robotics, and a future where cars might not even be the core product anymore.
We’ve already seen the narrative evolve: from electric cars, to autonomous driving, to software-defined mobility. Now, it’s something else entirely. And whether that’s visionary or risky… depends on who you ask.
AutoNext Take
The Model S didn’t just succeed, it redefined what a car could be. It forced brands like Mercedes, BMW and Audi to accelerate their electric strategies. It made EVs desirable, not just acceptable.
And now it disappears almost quietly, replaced by a limited edition with gold accents and an invite-only purchase list. No big send-off. No emotional goodbye.
