Tesla Model S gets attitude

The world's biggest aftermarket car show, SEMA, has something for everyone – even EV-loving street racers – as a company specialising in Tesla mods has shown.

Unplugged Performance showed off the S-APEX series, a $US50,000 upgrade package for the Tesla Model S P100D, transforming the look and feel of the EV from luxury cruiser to midnight prowler.

The most visible change to the tough-looking Tesla Model S is the adoption of a wide-body kit, which is fashioned from carbon-fibre.

Made up of 19-pieces, it delivers a muscled-up image for the Tesla which, along with lowered, high-spec performance suspension, will make owners very anxious around speed humps.

As well as the uprated "racing suspension" which includes new dampers, Unplugged Performance has added carbon-fibre composite 20-inch wheels and high-performance six-piston brake calipers and carbon ceramic brake discs, which help reduce the cars' kerb weight.

The Tesla P100D can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.7 secs thanks to its dual motor, all-wheel drive setup but unlike internal combustion engines aftermarket companies are less inclined to fiddle with the software that controls power delivery.

To that end, Unplugged Performance says it rigorously tests its final products to ensure they perform as intended and that things like the semi-autonomous Autopilot functionality is not compromised. Driving distances are expected to remain at around 570km per full charge.

Lastly, this modified high-voltage machine features a bespoke interior fit-out Alcantara headlining and lashing of leather on the seats, door inserts, dashboard and steering wheel. There's also plenty of carbon-fibre inlays.