Tesla's Design Chief Sends Model S Plaid Signature #001 to Unplugged Performance for Preservation
Franz von Holzhausen's Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001 undergoes preservation treatment at Unplugged Performance
Key Takeaways
- Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen owns Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001, the first of 250 cars built for the limited run.
- The Garnet Red Model S was brought to Unplugged Performance’s AutoSpa in Hawthorne, California for a preservation-focused protection package.
- The treatment includes full-body XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS paint protection film, ceramic coating, and XPEL PRIME XR PLUS window film.
- The Model S Plaid Signature Edition is an invite-only final-production special with exclusive styling, a numbered plaque, carbon-ceramic brakes, and a 1,020-hp tri-motor powertrain.
- Only 250 Model S Signature Editions were planned, with the car priced at $159,420.
What Is the Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition?
The Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition is a limited-production version of the Model S Plaid created for the final production run of the long-running electric sedan. Production is limited to 250 examples, making the numbered cars considerably rarer than the regular Model S Plaid.
The Signature Edition is distinguished by its Garnet Red exterior paint, gold Tesla and Plaid badging, Signature branding, a numbered dashboard plaque, and 21-inch wheels. The interior combines white Alcantara with gold detailing, while carbon-ceramic brakes and gold-painted calipers are part of the package.
Like the regular Model S Plaid, the Signature Edition uses Tesla’s tri-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. The system is rated at 1,020 horsepower, giving the Model S Plaid its position as Tesla’s range-topping performance sedan.
| Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition | Specification |
|---|---|
| Production | 250 units |
| Powertrain | Tri-motor all-wheel drive |
| Power | 1,020 hp |
| Exterior color | Garnet Red |
| Wheels | 21-inch Signature wheels |
| Brakes | Carbon-ceramic brakes with gold calipers |
| Interior | White Alcantara with Signature detailing |
| Steering wheel | Yoke |
| Starting price | $159,420 |
Why Is Franz von Holzhausen’s Model S Plaid #001 Significant?
Franz von Holzhausen’s Model S Plaid Signature Edition is significant because it is number 001 of the 250-car production run. Von Holzhausen is Tesla’s chief designer and has been closely associated with the Model S since its development.
The first Signature Edition therefore has significance beyond its limited production number. It is owned by the designer responsible for the Model S’s exterior design and represents the final chapter of a model that has been part of Tesla’s lineup since 2012.
Instead of modifying the car for additional performance or changing its appearance, von Holzhausen chose to preserve the vehicle as delivered. That made the Unplugged Performance project fundamentally different from many of the company’s performance-oriented Tesla builds.
Why Did Franz von Holzhausen Choose Unplugged Performance?
Von Holzhausen has an existing relationship with Unplugged Performance, which operates its headquarters and AutoSpa in Hawthorne, California. He previously brought his personal Tesla Model 3 to the company for performance modifications, including suspension and braking upgrades.
The Model S Signature Edition required a different approach. Rather than changing the car’s character, Unplugged Performance was tasked with protecting the original finish and preserving the car’s factory appearance.
The company describes the project as a preservation program designed around protecting the vehicle while keeping its original design intact. That is particularly relevant for #001 because the car is both a limited-production Tesla and a vehicle with a direct connection to the person who designed the Model S.
Unplugged Performance documented the project at its Hawthorne facility, including the preparation, paint protection film installation, ceramic treatment, window-film installation, and final inspection.
What Protection Did the Model S Plaid Signature Receive?
The preservation treatment began with extensive cleaning and chemical decontamination. Unplugged Performance says the process was designed to remove bonded contaminants, iron particles, transport residue, and other material that could remain on the surface even on a relatively new vehicle.
The car then received XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS paint protection film. The film was installed across the body with the exterior panels disassembled as necessary to produce a cleaner installation and minimize visible seams.
After the PPF installation was completed and inspected, Unplugged Performance applied a ceramic coating to the bodywork, painted exterior trim, and wheel faces. The ceramic layer provides hydrophobic properties that help water and contaminants move off the surface more easily while adding another protective layer over the finish.
The final stage involved the glass. XPEL PRIME XR PLUS window film was installed throughout the Model S to provide ultraviolet protection and reduce infrared heat entering the cabin.
| Protection Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chemical decontamination | Removes bonded contaminants, iron particles, and transport residue before protective products are installed. |
| XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS PPF | Creates a physical barrier against road debris, light scratches, stone chips, and everyday wear. |
| Ceramic coating | Adds hydrophobic protection and makes the exterior easier to clean. |
| XPEL PRIME XR PLUS window film | Reduces UV exposure and infrared heat entering the cabin. |
How Does Paint Protection Film Help Preserve the Tesla?
Paint protection film provides a physical barrier between the factory paint and the outside environment. For a limited-production car such as Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001, the main advantage is that the original finish can remain protected while the car is still driven.
Road debris, small stones, light scratches, and other forms of everyday wear can damage automotive paint. PPF takes much of that abuse instead of the underlying factory finish, and the film itself can eventually be replaced without repainting the vehicle.
That approach is particularly useful for a numbered collector vehicle because retaining the original paint can be an important part of maintaining its condition and provenance.
What Does the Ceramic Coating Add?
The ceramic coating serves a different purpose from the PPF. Instead of acting as the primary physical barrier against impacts, it creates a hydrophobic surface that helps water and contaminants bead and run off the vehicle.
Unplugged Performance applied the coating across the vehicle’s panels, painted exterior trim, and wheel faces. The result is intended to make routine cleaning easier while maintaining the gloss of the Garnet Red finish.
The ceramic coating therefore complements the PPF rather than replacing it. The two layers address different types of exposure and work together as part of the preservation strategy.
Why Was Window Film Included in the Preservation Package?
The glass received XPEL PRIME XR PLUS window film as the final part of the protection program. According to Unplugged Performance, the film provides ultraviolet protection while reducing infrared heat entering the cabin.
For a collector-oriented vehicle, reducing exposure to UV radiation and heat can help protect interior materials over time. The treatment also fits the overall goal of preserving the Model S Signature Edition without changing its factory appearance.
How Does the Model S Signature Edition Compare With the Regular Plaid?
The Signature Edition retains the core performance hardware of the Model S Plaid but adds exclusive cosmetic and equipment details designed to distinguish the limited-production cars.
| Feature | Model S Plaid Signature Edition | Regular Model S Plaid |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Tri-motor AWD | Tri-motor AWD |
| Power | 1,020 hp | 1,020 hp |
| Production | 250 units | Regular production |
| Exterior | Garnet Red with gold accents | Standard Model S colors and trim |
| Badging | Signature and gold Plaid badging | Standard Plaid badging |
| Brakes | Carbon-ceramic with gold calipers | Standard Plaid brake setup |
| Interior | White Alcantara with Signature details | Standard Plaid interior options |
| Numbered plaque | Yes, showing the car’s position in the 250-car run | No |
What Makes Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001 a Collector Car?
Several factors give #001 potential significance to Tesla collectors. It is the first car in a strictly limited 250-unit run, it represents the final production chapter of the current Model S, and it belongs to the designer most closely associated with the sedan’s exterior design.
The preservation work also avoids the type of modifications that could compromise the car’s originality. Instead, the protection products are intended to shield the factory finish and interior while allowing the car to remain usable.
It is still too early to determine how the Signature Edition will perform as a collector vehicle in the long term. Its eventual collectibility will depend on factors such as condition, documentation, ownership history, production significance, and demand among Tesla enthusiasts.
What Is the Relationship Between Franz von Holzhausen and Unplugged Performance?
The Model S project continues an established relationship between von Holzhausen and Unplugged Performance. His personal Model 3 previously received performance-oriented modifications from the company, including suspension, chassis, and braking upgrades.
That earlier project focused on changing the way the Model 3 drove while leaving its basic visual identity intact. The Model S Plaid Signature Edition reverses the priority: the objective is not to transform the car but to protect it.
Unplugged Performance was founded in Hawthorne, California, and specializes in Tesla performance, wheels, suspension, brakes, exterior components, and vehicle protection. The company’s work on von Holzhausen’s Model S therefore combines an existing professional relationship with a particularly significant Tesla.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001?
Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s chief designer, owns Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001. It is the first of the 250 Model S Signature Editions produced for the final production run.
What is the Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition?
The Signature Edition is a limited-production Model S Plaid with exclusive Garnet Red paint, gold exterior details, Signature badging, a numbered plaque, special interior trim, 21-inch wheels, and carbon-ceramic brakes with gold calipers.
How many Model S Plaid Signature Editions were built?
Tesla planned a limited run of 250 Model S Plaid Signature Editions.
How much does the Model S Plaid Signature Edition cost?
The Model S Plaid Signature Edition was priced at $159,420.
How much horsepower does the Model S Plaid Signature Edition have?
The Signature Edition uses the Model S Plaid’s tri-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, which produces 1,020 horsepower.
What protection did Franz von Holzhausen’s Model S receive?
The car received a comprehensive preservation treatment consisting of chemical decontamination, XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS paint protection film, ceramic coating, and XPEL PRIME XR PLUS window film.
Why was the Model S Plaid Signature Edition sent to Unplugged Performance?
The goal was to preserve Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001 and protect its original finish. Von Holzhausen also has an established relationship with Unplugged Performance from previous work on his personal Tesla Model 3.
Where was Model S Plaid Signature Edition #001 protected?
The preservation work was performed at Unplugged Performance’s AutoSpa in Hawthorne, California.
