End of an Era: Model S and Model X Get a Farewell Edition
Tesla has announced a final limited-edition "Signature Series" run of the Model S and Model X Plaid, marking the definitive end of its flagship sedan and SUV programmes. Just 350 vehicles will be produced: 250 Model S units and 100 Model X units in a six-seat configuration only.
The announcement comes weeks after Tesla officially discontinued custom orders for both models in early April 2026, with CEO Elon Musk calling the end of production an "honorable discharge" during the Q4 2025 earnings call in January.
Pricing and Availability
The Signature Series is invite-only — Tesla has emailed select owners with purchase access. The Model X Signature starts at $159,420. Model S Signature pricing has not yet been officially confirmed but is expected to fall in a similar range.
| Model | Units | Configuration | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model S Signature | 250 | Plaid | TBC |
| Model X Signature | 100 | Plaid, 6-seat only | $159,420 |
Deliveries are planned for May 2026, with a celebration event described as taking place "fittingly at sunset."
What Makes the Signature Series Special
Every Signature Series vehicle comes finished in Garnet Red — an exclusive colour not available on any standard Tesla production vehicle — with gold Tesla "T" badges at the front and unique Signature and Plaid badging at the rear.
Inside, the white interior is upgraded with Alcantara accents and gold Plaid seat logos with matching piping. Each vehicle features a numbered dashboard plaque, Signature-branded door sills, gold Plaid puddle lights, a unique interior lighting sequence, and a dedicated Signature Edition key fob.
Why This Matters for European Owners
For European Tesla owners, the discontinuation of Model S and Model X means no new flagship sedan or SUV from Tesla for the foreseeable future. The Fremont factory production line that built these vehicles is being converted to manufacture Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots.
Existing European Model S and Model X owners will continue to receive software updates and service support, but replacement parts may become harder to source over time as production winds down. The Signature Series itself is available only in the United States — European owners will not have access to the final run.
Tesla's current European lineup now consists of the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck (where available), with no announced replacement for the premium segment. Whether the rumoured next-generation platform will include a Model S successor remains unclear.
A 14-Year Legacy
The Model S launched in 2012 as Tesla's first mass-market vehicle and proved that electric cars could match — and exceed — the performance of petrol-powered luxury sedans. The Model X followed in 2015, introducing falcon-wing doors and establishing Tesla in the SUV market.
Together, these two models carried Tesla through its most precarious years, generating the revenue and reputation that funded the mass-market Model 3 and Model Y. Their departure marks the end of Tesla's first chapter.
Update: 2026-05-18
Tesla's Signature Edition delivery event has now been rescheduled twice. The original handover, set for the evening of 12 May 2026 at Fremont, was postponed at short notice after CEO Elon Musk was invited to attend US President Donald Trump's diplomatic summit with China's Xi Jinping alongside Tim Cook and Larry Fink (Teslarati, Electrek). Tesla has now confirmed a new date of 20 May 2026 at the original Fremont Boulevard factory location (NotATeslaApp). Invitees received fresh QR-code tickets and were asked to reconfirm attendance. Garnet Red Signature units were spotted on the Fremont apron on 18 May 2026, two days before the rescheduled event (Tesla Oracle). For European invitees who hold one of the limited reservations, all travel and accommodation costs remain the buyer's responsibility — a constraint that has not changed across the reschedule.