Tesla’s new Model X, one of the only SUVs that is all-electric on the market was unveiled unofficially on Tuesday near the factory of the company located in Fremont, California.
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The biggest engineering challenge was the Model X’s “falcon wing” doors. For instance, its so-called “Falcon Doors”, which are very much like Mercedes-Benz’s famous gullwings from the 1950s 500SL sports vehicle and its more modern AMG-badged supercars today, are unlike any production SUV’s rear doors.
The Tesla Model X design has numerous safety features, including a low centre of gravity to prevent rollovers and an impact-absorbing “crumple zone” located in the area normally designated for the petrol engine, which also acts as a boot.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed Model X to hundreds of enthusiasts and media.
We recently learned that Tesla was burning through cash and taking a more-than $4,000 loss on every auto sold, though in August the company beat analyst expectations for its second quarter earnings.
The first time Tesla did a side impact crash test, in which the vehicle is slid sideways into a pole, the pole broke, Musk said. They open in tight spots better than traditional auto doors (see demo in video below), and also make it easier to access the third row, especially if there’s a child seat installed in the vehicle.
Prices of the Model X have not yet been announced, though Tesla requires a $5,000 reservation payment if you want to get in line for one of the cars, which the company estimates it will start delivering in late 2016. 25,000 people have pre-ordered the Model X, and models will begin shipping next year. Essentially if you push this button, the Model X’s air filter (which happens to be 10 times larger than your run-of-the-mill air filter) will supposedly keep you safe.
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Though the 90D was no slouch, hitting 60 mph from in 3.7 seconds with a range of 257 miles, the P90D claims the distinction of being the fastest SUV in the world, hitting the same speed in 3.2 seconds from zero with a range of 250 miles (412 km), leaving most cars in the dust, even Porsche’s electric concept vehicle, the Mission E.
