If you were not one of the six people who drove away in their very own Tesla Model X today (and let’s face it, it’s highly likely that you are not), you can pay $US5,000 to reserve one right now.
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Perhaps the most radical feature of the Model X is its upward-opening “falcon doors” for the second row. The first customers, buying the 2,000 Signature version, are expected to receive their cars. It’s also massively overpriced when compared to what could be called “competition” – the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, starting at $77,200. It goes from o to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and has a range of about 250 miles before the battery needs a recharge.
That is pretty impressive, as the P90D also goes 0-60 miles per hour in just 3.3-seconds, though don’t expect to get the full range if you keep making those quick runs. There are, of course, the much-hyped “Falcon Wing” rear doors, and in addition to these there’s a huge windshield that stretches from the hood to the center of the roof, an automatic front door and a special cabin filter capable of hospital-grade cleanliness.
Besides it novel doors, Tesla was touting other features about the Model X like the fact that it can tow 5,000 pounds, thanks to its electric power, which gives it a lot of low-end torque which can be used for towing trailers or boats.
“Every part of Model X is designed with safety as a first priority”. The base Model S, which has a late December delivery date as of Tuesday, costs about $72,000.
The Model X is being positioned by Tesla as the world’s first luxury electric SUV. When Elon Musk unveiled the Model X, he joked about the availability of “hospital level air quality” accessible by a button on the dashboard display in the shape of the worldwide biohazard symbol.
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With an exotic design and numerous advanced technologies, Tesla is looking to carry on the momentum from the success of its smaller sibling, the Model S. The SUV and crossover market is expanding, with models such as the Nissan Qashqai placed fifth in the United Kingdom with around 40,000 new registrations in 2015 already, according to data from Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
