Its crossover companion, the Tesla Model X P100D, is able to do the same sprint in 2.9 seconds, Tesla estimates, making it the world’s quickest utility vehicle.
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Most high-performance cars that can achieve such blistering performance figures are limited-number hypercars and, in fact, the battery fitted to the Tesla Model S P100d Ludicrous will make it the third-fastest accelerating vehicle in history.
These speeds are insane fast, matched only by sold-out supercars with tiny production runs: Ferrari’s $1.4 million LaFerrari, Porsche’s $845,000 918 Spyder, and Bugatti’s $2.3 million Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. While the EPA hasn’t released the official rating yet, Tesla is generally pretty good at estimating it and they are talking about 315 miles – up from the 294 miles of Tesla previously longest range model: the Model S 90D.
Tesla launched a new trim of its Model S sedan, the P100D, August 23, a auto it calls the quickest production vehicle now available for sale, able to reach 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) from a dead stop in 2.5 seconds. Existing P90D owners can get their cars to P100D spec for $20,000 (£15,156) to cover costs of old battery recycling. Range is 289 miles on the Model X P100D. Test rides were done in a left-hand drive Model X though reporters were told by representatives that a right-hand drive version of the vehicle would arrive next year. That places it behind the the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder. But with the 100 kWh battery pack, it said the Model X P100D – as the new performance model is known – will now accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour (0-97 kph) in 2.9 seconds.
So that when CEO Elon Musk showed up in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to announce the secret behind his tie-breaker in the race, which is no other than Tesla’s new battery, he must have got something to brag about.
It was only six or so years ago that Tesla’s first vehicle, the $100,000 Roadster, was enabling its early customers to travel a little over 200 miles on a single charge.
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“Range anxiety has always been one of the biggest obstacles for the adoption of electric cars”, said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com executive director of industry analysis. “People who care about the Model 3 should appreciate, if someone’s buying a P100D Ludicrous, they’re helping to pay for their car’s development”. Model X is an SUV that can seat up to seven adults.
