Tesla announces new Model S 70D, pricing details for Hong Kong and China

America’s Tesla Motors today announced the latest and most affordable version of its Model S electric car: the 70D. The new Tesla Model S 70D features a 70 kWh battery with a 240 mile range, can accelerate from 0-60 in just 5.2 seconds, and comes standard with navigation, Autopilot Hardware, and support for SuperCharging.

The new vehicle starts at US$67,500 in America (after tax credit), and Hong Kong Tesla fans will be able to pick up the new car for as little as HK$619,000 (US$79,800). As usual, mainland China gets the short stick: thanks to hefty import duties the 70D will cost RMB 685,000 (US$110,000).

Tesla also announced three new colors for the Model S: Ocean Blue, Obsidian Black, and Warm Silver.

Having a new, slightly-more-affordable model of Tesla’s signature sedan may make the vehicle slightly more attractive in China, where Tesla has been struggling. But the 70D’s base price is still high enough that it’s hard to imagine it making a major difference. If customers can afford the US$110k 70D then they likely could already have found an extra US$15k or so to buy one of the higher-end versions of the Model S already on the market.

Still, in a nation as plagued by pollution as China, any drop in price is probably a good thing.