I Gave my Tesla a Facelift!!! Update to 2013 Model S Front Fascia

My 2013 Tesla Model S just got a facelift! Get yours here - teslanomics.co... and use code "sullinsearlyaccess" for a special discount
The 2013 Tesla Model S I bout in 2016 came with the black nose cone. In mid-2016 Tesla updated the front fascia to something more sporty and modern looking.
At Unplugged Performance in Los Angeles, they make an aftermarket version of this which you can buy and have shipped anywhere in the world.
Once you get the new front-fascia you can have any body shop match your paint and install it.
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Tesla Model S (wikipedia.org)
The Tesla Model S is a full-sized all-electric five-door, luxury liftback, produced by Tesla, Inc., and introduced on 22 June 2012.[13] It scored a perfect 5.0 NHTSA automobile safety rating.[14] The EPA official range for the 2017 Model S 100D,[15] which is equipped with a 100 kWh (360 MJ) battery pack, is 335 miles (540 km),[16] higher than any other electric car.[17][18] The EPA rated the 2017 90D Model S's energy consumption at 200.9 watt-hours per kilometer (32.33 kWh/100 mi or 20.09 kWh/100 km) for a combined fuel economy of 104 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.26 L/100 km or 125 mpg‑imp).[19] In 2016, Tesla updated the design of the Model S to closely match that of the Model X. As of October 2017, the following versions are available: 75D, 100D and P100D.[20]
In 2013, the Model S became the first electric car to top the monthly new car sales ranking in any country, twice leading in Norway, in September and December 2013[21][22][23][24] and also in Denmark in December 2015.[25] Global Model S sales passed the 150,000 unit milestone in November 2016, with the U.S. as the leading market with 57% of global sales.[26]
The Tesla Model S was the top selling plug-in electric car worldwide in 2015 and 2016,[27][28][29] and by the end of 2016 was the second-most sold electric car in history after the Nissan Leaf.[30]
The Tesla Model S was the 2013 World Green Car of the Year, 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year, Automobile magazine's 2013 Car of the Year, Time Magazine Best 25 Inventions of the Year 2012 award and Consumer Reports top-scoring car in its road testing. In 2015, Car and Driver named the Model S the Car of the Century.[31] After not recommending the Model S in 2015 due to poor reliability, one year later, Consumer Reports added the car to its recommended list.[32][33]

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Unplugged is offering Teslanomics subscribers a discount on the new front fascia in celebration of delivering 500 of them. Use code "sullinsearlyaccess" at the link below to get $500 off retail, and enjoy! unpluggedperformance.com/product/unplugged-performance-refresh-front-fascia-system/

[@patrickperez9790]

so cool. thank you. are you still loving yours?

[@Ryooken]

What will you do about the autopilot upgrade?

[@michaelbrown7881]

Thanks Ben I have an “older” 21st century tesla 2015 and wanted to know where to find the cost of upgrading

[@taajhundal]

Can you please help me to find someone in Sacramento ca area

[@taajhundal]

What’s your contact info Ben

[@xmichielx100]

That's a bit pricey for a front bumper..

[@PopoRamos]

4.5 Grand for a bumper? lol

[@EnlightenedSavage]

3000$! thats a little ridiculous. 1000 should be the max. Even then thats pricey.

[@Malte-Micha]

EnlightenedSavage Are you a tesla owner? Price don't matter if you can afford the Model S. 4,000 is nothing.

[@baileyryanpatrick17]

@@Malte-Micha You can get a used one for under $45k that looks identical to a newer one.

[@Malte-Micha]

@@baileyryanpatrick17 yes you can but certain things on the car have changed believe it or not. I only buy new from now on.

[@SightedSphinx]

@@Malte-Micha dude the video is literally about used teslas pre 2016, obviously if your buying a brand new tesla you shouldnt even be watching this video. Plus buying a new model s doesnt mean your a millionare 4000 is exspensive to anyone

[@yehudagoldberg6400]

3 grand for an unpainted piece of plastic?

[@michaelvaniseghem6478]

Yehuda Goldberg not worth it

[@Momo7O7]

Basically,I mean you can try making one yourself next time you crash your Tesla.

[@dmillzzz1918]

3k for a 3rd party bumper thats not even painted? WTF.

[@007zicoch]

daniel miller that's exactly what I felt about it!

[@my73737373]

They’re the only ones out there so they have no competition.

[@NJRenewableEnergy]

Double WTF.... yeah, 500 bucks would have been about right. 3k, ahhh No Dice! What is that 9000% mark up ???

[@Malte-Micha]

daniel miller if you can afford a Tesla then you probably don't care about the modification price tag.

[@shamil454]

@@Malte-Micha that doesn't really justify the price tag. I would rather spend it on something else then paying that much to this bumper.

[@muchotothepoint401]

Looks good. Not sure about the price. That’s almost 5 model 3 deposits lol

[@jasondonohue2714]

That's not cheap Ben. Wow! It looks good, but I see what the owner means when he says it's hard to match up. The T logo in the front is like an inch or 2 back from the bumper

[@Xeross25]

Lmfaoo 3 grand for a bumper when I see them on eBay for 300-500$ gtfo 😂😂

[@mapowing]

Looks good! However, I would have kept the old bumper for memory lane...

[@CyberlightFG]

If they keep the original bumper, it's a rip-off

[@12x2richter]

A good way to update the look of the car, but honestly my wife and I both prefer the pre-facelift look.

[@vinceandtheresa1243]

Looks soooooooo much better! Nice mod!

[@sarmacdzharmackprotoshr2982]

No it doesn't

[@iamjohnny6288]

Looks great with Arachnid wheels

[@anubhavrastogi6792]

Get the new headlamps too!

[@bcj3638]

Congrats! That's so cool. I just can't say how I love unplugged performance. I even have a cool little story. In the last summer, I wrote an email to them because I was interested in what they are doing and how they are doing it. And they just asked me, if I want some stickers. I never wrote to them before, they just said I can have a few free stickers if I want. Of course, I wrote back and said I want them (who does not want them? :D) and they just sent them over to Germany where I live. Unplugged is for me the best company that's doing the coolest stuff for the coolest cars! Hopefully you will have a lot fun with your even better looking Tesla.

[@JamesCookeVlogs]

I wonder if it will improve range?

[@pol1250]

oh yes ...by 200 miles

[@TheRocky3211]

when are you getting one ?

[@jeffreymagni1272]

If "style points" add to range then I think this should get at least 300 more 😁

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I think that your black Model S does a better job of hiding the old nose cone, James. It's better to save your money to buy Soph a refreshed Model X!

[@blarkdexture8899]

Needs an aftermarket exhaust.

[@alessandromontoya8126]

I was swiping at my screen for a quick minute because of your picture

[@view13s8]

Lololol 😂

[@d7mysterio7]

Absolutely love the new look Mr. Ben. Happy for you brother. Looks brand new.

[@haugealx]

sick, looks better then the normal now

[@FalknerBlitz00]

looks great but quite pricey...

[@penvon]

Falkner Blitz He’s loaded.

[@nolansprojects2840]

Falkner Blitz not if you have already got the tesla... lol

[@rhinovulcan]

In terms of the cost of Tesla spares generally I imagine it sounds quite reasonably priced.

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

The new bumper from Tesla does fit on the old cars. People have done the conversions using original parts. Just search the TMC forum. The only issue is the slightly larger gap between the bumper and the hood. That's the only custom part you need. The big advantage of using original parts is when you bring your car in for service, the Tesla people are working on familiar and original parts rather than 3rd party which they might just outright refuse to work on.

[@bojennett]

Maybe it’s the angle, maybe i’m just being too picky... but it look like it doesn’t line up right (the gap between the headlights and the hood?)

[@mortenmlbjerglund772]

Joseph Bennett Completely agree. My first thought was "dat gap though!"

[@adangaytan1098]

The gaps are normal for a tesla arent they?

[@alexkram]

I like the way my OG Model S looks, it's a classic

[@rickyh1834]

Just a quick suggestion for the time-lapse segments; instead of using the timelapse feature on your camera where it takes photos at different intervals, take a video and then speed it up in post. Doing this results in a much smoother timelapse.

[@StalePhish]

But it also takes up a huge amount of space. One minute of 1080p means you have to store 3 billion pixels. One minute of 1080p at 1 frame/5 seconds like in a time lapse is only 25 million pixels. This also has huge battery usage implications.

[@daniel55645]

def more expensive than I was expecting, but may have to consider gettting it in the future.

[@TheGreatMunky]

Personally I like the old look better. People will probably say it's just because I'm used to seeing car grills, but I think the shape has a lot to do with it. With the crease down the center of the new one it almost looks like a giant pair of lips. Old one looks classier to me. New one looks too plain.

[@g.pearson4726]

Thank you I’m interested in getting a Tesla I prefer the older Teslas but love the grill of the newer ones This will allow me to have best of both world While staying in budget Thank you for sharing Your car looks great And I couldn’t stop laughing at nose job 😂🤣😂😆

[@gustavgron2252]

Its nice it can be done. I have a Model S 85D 2015, but I like the front and also Im like original look. So I will not change anything, but thanks for a nice video still 😊

[@EforElectric]

Unplugged is a great vendor to do after market updates with cars. I'd love to do the refresh but both of my Model S leases expire this year.

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Going for a new S or ...?

[@fentol8936]

Just do it and send it back, when they think your giving then a 2018 in exchange they might give you some cash, lol

[@JamesCookeVlogs]

Umm, I'm tempted. Is it fully reversible (back tot he original nose).

[@leesmith9299]

Bank balance won't reverse.

[@JamesCookeVlogs]

Lee Smith LOL that's true

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Should be, just like a phone case

[@SaroshAnjum]

can it be ordered already painted so you can do a DIY install?

[@elontusk5553]

Sarosh Anjum no. They say so on their website

[@fredhassenDogtraining]

I just made an appt to put their new Model 3 front fascia on my Performance model 3 and getting it lowered a little bit.

[@juliohernandez3045]

I was looking to get this too. But the cost of paint threw me off. Hope to see if the price drops some more. 4500 for a bumper is still too much for my blood. I got my 2013 S this year and loving every bit of it.

[@rjsilva5237]

Made such a huge difference, now I gotta rethink about this Model 3 waitlist.. I might just buy used and modify the front fascia

[@markpetrillo92]

Is the facelift an exact match to newer Teslas? I expected a side by side comparison here...

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Mark Petrillo not exact

[@elontusk5553]

There are no decent side by side comparisons. But from what I can gather the 1g hood hangs out further by an inch or two and has a greater curve.

[@AW-zv2to]

Mark Petrillo he still has the old headlights

[@LonApex]

Everyone talking about price in this video doesn't realize that this is basically a brand deal. He probably got this done cheaper or completely free..

[@MrMoises27]

Amazing job, love it. Congratulations Ben.

[@davidtooker5179]

Looks great! Totally worth it!

[@ravirajgupta153]

Am I the oly one who likes the old one better, so much better that i'd buy that and sacrifice the new features.

[@wokafloka7192]

RAVI RAJ GUPTA the old looks a lot better like a lot better and I'm not a hater I promise

[@aerodyneservices]

No, I like the old style and how it hides bugs...

[@jaythrash8804]

I agree. For some reason, the new one makes the car look empty. I know it's an electric car, but I still like the looks of it having somewhat of a grill, even if it has no function.

[@aerodyneservices]

@@jaythrash8804 same here. To fix the empty part, I am toying with a decal, like Starman, on the front. No license plate...

[@vakasm8227]

I'd have added a mesh to original instead, the tiny grille look doesn't suit the car imo.

[@taipeiracer]

Now you just need to do the headlights to fully convert to the new look.

[@consentidocomunwithcommons7698]

With that link ridiculous expensive $3,000no way “””””. I did myself and all was $350 today in 2021 all can be $200 but I can’t wait 😛

[@JamesAlburyTheSkyAboveUs]

Awesome! I live in Florida and was considering getting the new front piece. Thanks, Ben!

[@chanmeas2363]

Thanks for sharing the cost to upgrade the fascia. At $4500, it's a bit pricey. But, alot cheaper compared to trading it in. It does look good and happy to know old model S' can upgrade it's appearance to look newer.

[@goldendays4873]

Thanks Ben! Just used your promo code and they still honored it after all this time. So satisfied with unplugged performance!

[@TColey100]

I'm a fan of the new look!

[@sergiosempanadas4902]

front bumper upgrade looks really good by the way

[@gabrielesabbatino2460]

Very nice work indeed! Well done! It gives your car a fresh look now! :-) keep up the good work!

[@cpF01]

Looks great! Nice update.

[@ShawnSonnentag]

Looks great! May have a bit of a gap variation between the left and right hood/fascia joint.

[@macgreiner]

Looks really good. I'm sure Ben got a pretty sweet deal on this.

[@MiniMotoAlliance]

“Fay-sha”. “Fay-sha.” “Fay-sha”

[@Ventuha]

4 500 USD for new bumper? Come on..

[@facts-GPT]

ROS MANIA the bumper kit is 3k from what I understand. Which is double what is even remotely reasonable. So I guess paint and install for 1.5k? Crazy especially when it doesn't take. But a couple hours to install

[@I_know_what_im_talking_about]

$4,500 to change the front bumper on your old ass Tesla?!?! LMAO!!!!!!!

[@michaeltavares2690]

Looks awesome i cant wait to get mine ...but at least i upgraded to the newer style tesla rims

[@orishasking1]

How do you jump-start the 12V battery with this new bumper?

[@nathanwalczak2522]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@aitchmarsh]

Or attach a towing eye which is behind the black pull out panel.

[@luisfernandes4145]

Nice job!!! Finally got rid of the old old model S!!!

[@aeshergamingyt5534]

Hey Ben ,I think you should change the headlights and wrap the door sill to your car colour

[@errolchouest895]

AESHERGAMEING I also prefer the the looks of the older Model S better than the newer one. I would take the front fascia of the older Model S and put it on the newer one if possible.

[@elontusk5553]

AESHERGAMEING the hids actually perform better... I would suggest blacking out the housing and upgrading the projectors. The led output is terrible...

[@ProFettMoHaMett]

Hope it pays off.

[@goddyab]

Just fantastic!! i love it.

[@massimo7219]

You have to love LA, where even your car can get a nose job. Great stuff Ben. The new rims look great BTW.

[@peten6445]

I personally like the first gen look.

[@TeslaJourney]

Our cars can be (somewhat) twinsies now!

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

except you got that range tho!

[@TeslaJourney]

For now I do...but sooner or later you're gonna have that mind-blowing 620 mile range on your hands!

[@maxblair9914]

Great video and nice upgrade. Any info on where you got the newer style rims?

[@f0t0b0y]

“Just under 3k” 🤣

[@dirkvanderlaan31]

Great job! I love it.

[@relentlesskst1231]

thanks for the information.

[@myroadtours6147]

Looking sharp.

[@manut4963]

Unfortunately I find the old "nose" better looking. Newer doesn't necessary mean better (or in this case more beautiful). But this one still looks way better then the fugly nose of a model 3.

[@leesmith9299]

That is ridiculously expensive. I was thinking $1k max. Just love throwing away money some folks.

[@hoffmantnt]

$1k at a body shop will get you about nothing.

[@leesmith9299]

all the more reason to keep away from them. Backed up my point nicely.

[@michaelvaniseghem6478]

I'm agree with you that not worth it.

[@2NeedForSpeed2]

On a 2013 Honda Civic LX the front bumper was around $1,300 I think max with paint, so I don't know why sensors and fogs and whatever else adds $2k more..

[@MaxiiBoii23]

Just millenial things..

[@CHOSENENERGY]

Amazing video. unplugged in LA Tesla facelift. Not bad for . $4500 total. To feel fresh and good about your upgrade :).

[@charchles]

Wouldn’t you rather put that $4500 into a new car...

[@penvon]

Charles Silva It’s only money,he’ll get more.

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

Charles Silva have this one almost paid off

[@SaroshAnjum]

Yeah that logic is always there but i am a fan

[@charchles]

No doubt it's a beautiful upgrade; I just don't know if I'd put that much $$$ into a depreciating asset that adds little to no value -- wish it were cheaper

[@StalePhish]

But if you're going to keep it a long time, you have more of an emotional justification than purely an economical justification

[@mattbk1yn]

is there anyway to tell if a car has had it done?

[@bumperkingusa1]

I can beat that cost all day. Im in San Diego, Ca. Dent and Scratch Pro UTC. See D. Brown.

[@johnykerzian6627]

What about the new headlights?

[@stevenlowell4]

Looks good!

[@h2o_dug]

Thanks for the video and the walk around shots. Looks great head on, but I really wish the profile view where the old hood/emblem/new bumper meet didnt look like serious under bite. $4500 vs cost of new car is pretty good.

[@kallespratt]

why no sound on the fill pieces....??? edit: did hear it later, but oohh boy it was low

[@andregarrido4892]

It looks really nice, but what will you do if your 12v battery dies? Can you still acess the jumper cable?

[@18twilliams]

wow! BIG BUCKS!

[@elontusk5553]

Ben, can you do me a favor and show us a comparison between the unplugged front and a refresh front? I have a 2013 CPO and I need more information before I jump. (I did a Google, KZbin, and forum search... There are no comparisons at all...)

[@GoodwinPhotoBlog]

I like it... it looks good, but still a bit steep for my budget. Would love the updated look on our CPO Model S.

[@samrichards8251]

Nice I didn’t know that was possible. 👌🏻

[@smokestrong1000]

I could have done that for 300 with a savage yard bumper and a 10 mm socket and screwdriver lmao

[@sergeyvader8463]

Hello! can you tell me, did you remove the lower ridge or not???

[@mebeingU2]

Do you have auto pilot? If not, how does that integration look and work with the sensors / radar? It would have been good to show your after market front end compared to Tesla's new front.

[@herc1319]

Can't you just check a junkyard and swap em? But also it looks backwards. The older version looked alot more premium than the newer updated one

[@garnetreds1018]

the colour doesn’t even match

[@sergiosempanadas4902]

hey, i just met your wife yesterday at the san juan supercharger, and chatted for a bit. i noticed you dont have autopilot on the model s. i'm in the same boat, but upgrading to OPENPILOT by comma A.I. for under $1000, have you heard of them?? you can add "openpilot" to almost any new car and have the car drive itself.

[@MyHandle201]

For the price of that bumper paint and labor lol you might aswell trade up

[@jayygtr]

I like the classic look although everyone seems to go for the newer look but in time it gets a bit boring. More so for 3000+1400=4400$ I rather save that and put it towards the next gen. If this can be simply done under 1k and is reversible where in time you might want to go back to the classic it might be worth having some fun. Till then shouting out 4400$ isn’t doing much with just a bumper knowing the headlights sideskirt and rear bumper does not match up with that front end. That’s my 2 cent.

[@sc3140]

Love it!

[@andrewwong13]

look at time frame at 3.07.....there's actually a gap size difference between the left and right where it flows from the headlights.....so obvious...is that being rectified yet

[@TheDougSpot]

Am I the only one that strongly preferred the original front end? I hated when they changed it

[@jackkevillemedia]

DGLS_Official I think the original gave it character.

[@dairted]

Jep. People paying stars to get ugly car. Just that it looks new for neighbours....get a self confidense.

[@sakuya9017]

dairted Dude.. Ben changed the front fascia because he liked it.. this has nothing to do with “Self Confidence”

[@beyerch]

I like the newer look (OEM), but something about this one doesn't look right. I can't put my finger on it.

[@ironphilly2366]

when will you rim swap?

[@Nolagadh]

Looks nice, but can you still reach the jumper-cable ports?

[@SLDOQ36]

How many hours did this take in the garage btw?

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

What about the sensors and the calibration for them?

[@cryptonitor9855]

Why? Harder to get to towbolts

[@gilbertllamas8987]

Thanks for sharing I just picked up a 2015 Model S. And was thinking of getting the nose Job you just saved me a bunch of time on research. Does the clip come white ? Or do they always need to paint it? Came out great.

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

I'd reach out to them and ask, I haven't been in touch for a while on this

[@LifeSucksButILoveIt85]

Hello, I was wondering if you knew the original size screw for the rear chrome diffuser?

[@BenSullinsOfficial]

No clue, maybe hit up unplugged performance

[@jimmyhuang745]

Hi, how is it going. I am thinking of the same modification. May I know if the new front face works well? Do you find any issue on it?

[@mytesla1393]

Does look great. I like it better!!!