Tesla Model S Signature Performance
Tesla hid a huge battery in the floor, put one motor at the rear and made a roomy liftback sprint like a sports car—without changing gears once.
Tesla Model S signature red.jpg · raneko · CC BY 4.0
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More than a set of wheels.
Tesla delivered the first customer Model S cars in Fremont, California, on June 22, 2012. The first 1,000 North American cars formed the limited Signature Series, with the Signature Performance combining that highly equipped launch edition with the stronger inverter and motor. Its clean-sheet EV structure created a front trunk, a large rear cargo hold and an unusually low center of gravity. The launch model also centered many controls on a 17-inch touchscreen and arrived as Tesla tried to move from low-volume Roadster production into thousands of cars per year.
Look a little closer.
With the rear bench folded, the front trunk counted too, giving Tesla a claimed 894.8 liters of total cargo room before adding the optional tiny rear-facing child seats.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Signature meant launch edition, not a later badge
Tesla said the first 1,000 North American Model S cars would be Signature Series cars with the largest battery, distinctive badges and comprehensive options. The Performance version added the 310 kW drive unit and high-performance inverter. Later names such as P85, P85+ and dual-motor P85D belong to different configurations and are not folded into this profile.
Source: Tesla Investor Relations · Model S reservations in Canada ↗What the 265-mile number really means
Tesla's 2012 specification sheet lists 265 miles using the 2012 EPA five-cycle method and warns that actual mileage varies with conditions, driving and maintenance. The same sheet separately lists an estimated 300 miles at a steady 55 mph. Those are different test conditions, so the larger number is not a substitute for the EPA rating.
Source: Tesla · 2012 Model S specifications and features ↗Where these facts come from
- Tesla · 2012 Model S Specifications and Features
- Tesla Investor Relations · First customer deliveries, June 22, 2012
- Tesla Investor Relations · North American Signature Series scope
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.