About that increase in acceleration time between the 2021 and 2022 RWD model…
My personal guess, (and of course I am no engineer, purely speculate) a few possibilities:
1. went for a cheaper motor using cheaper/fewer/weaker magnets that account for the lower torque, given rare metal is expensive ?
2. setting tens of thousands RWD owners up for a $3000 OTA acceleration boost when there are enough takers?
3. sell more LRs, if this is the case, maybe LR is the most profitable trim in the range?
4. All of the above?
Again, speculation only and I have no research/credential to back up any of my guesses.
I would prefer case 2. as I would be happy to pay $3000 to get that 0.5 sec back, but my gut feeling is that case 1. is the most likely situation here as acceleration boost on LRs mostly comes from the frontal motor from what I read.
For those who are waiting without delivery dates or VIN, look at the situation from a different point of view; consider Tesla's tract record to change things/sepcs. It might be worth the wait? Something nice might come up like ventilated seats which is far more useful for Aus climate than heated ones.