2026 Model S facelift appears without cover in Tesla's new blue color

UPDATE: The 2026 Model S has now been announced by Tesla at a $5,000 higher price but with improved efficiency, quieter ride, new wheels and colored ambient lighting all around, including in the foot wells and pockets. The new blue color is called Frost Blue Metallic and costs $2,500, while the Diamond Black from the new Model Y makes a cameo as a $1,500 option, too.

After being done and dusted with the Model 3 and Model Y refresh versions, Tesla is now preparing to release facelifts of its niche Model X and Model S vehicles, whose design is getting a bit long in the tooth.

The 2026 Model X was already snapped covered in camo and even its refreshed interior has been exposed, and now it is the turn of the Model S facelift to shine.

This time around, the 2026 Model S has been photographed relaxing on the side of the road with no camouflage on the front and back, revealing the refresh of Tesla's fastest car with the longest range in its full glory.

Glory might not be the exact word, as, if this ends up being the final Model S redesign, it appears to be an acquired taste. Gone is the contrasting Tesla logo at the front, while the rear bumper and spoiler look a tad dated.

Still, the fact that Tesla employees are driving it around without camo could mean that this is not the finalized design, but a body kit put on for added precaution while the engineers are testing the hardware under the proverbial hood.

Speaking of hoods, the Tesla badge is now painted in the color of the front slit, which appears to be cut a tad sharper. That doesn't make the overall look more aggressive, though, while Tesla's new blue color that the car is painted in brings no sporty look, either.

It remains to be seen what powertrain or battery upgrades will Tesla have in store for the Model S refresh upon release, though. After all, this is its only car that can go over 400 miles on a charge and accelerate from 0-60 mph in under two seconds, so Tesla is still expected to build on those achievements.

For now, the only visible new hardware element is the front bumper camera that comes standard with Tesla's freshest vehicle models like the Cybertruck or the Model Y refresh.