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SubscribeTesla unveils Model X crossover electric car
By Darren Quick
21:40 February 9, 2012
Tesla's Model X crossover electric vehicle is based on the same platform as the Model S
Image Gallery (10 images)Tesla has unveiled its latest electric car, the Model X, at its California Design Studios. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the prototype crossover vehicle on display was the company's most advanced to appear at a launch so is unlikely to differ significantly from the vehicle that will be put into production. The vehicle will be available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. The latter packs two independent electric motors - one on the rear axle and the other in the "engine bay" - with a "Perfromance" all-wheel drive model able to accelerate from 0 - 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in under five seconds.
The prototype crossover vehicle on display to assembled media is based on the same platform as Tesla's Model S but is slightly heavier. As a result the Model X's range is expected to be around 10 percent less than the Model S, which has a range of 160 miles extendable to 230 or 300 miles with a battery pack upgrade. The Model X offers the option of a 60 kWh or 85 kWh battery pack.
As suggested in a teaser image tweeted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk earlier in the day, the Model X's new "falcon-wing doors" are two-piece articulated gull wing doors. But instead of providing access to the front seats, they make access easier for those in the second and third row seats - that's right, the Model X has three rows of seating, all front facing, and is designed to seat seven adults with cargo room in the rear and front trunks. In fact access will be much easier as the doors should provide enough room for anyone not tall enough to be part of a professional basketball team to stand up in the car.
The Model X is set to enter production in late 2013, with deliveries due to start in early 2014. It is expected to be similarly priced to the Model S, which starts at US$49,900 after the US federal tax credit. Telsa is now taking reservations for the Model X on its website.
Source: Tesla
I was disappointed that none of the pictures shows the interior. I've got a family of six and would like to try to imagine how we would fit in such a machine.
Gull wing doors are cool. They remind me of back to the future, but I do remember Marty (Michael J Fox) bumping his head on them often enough. Where I live we always have lots of wind and gull wing doors seem that they would let the weather in much more effectively - usually not good. They might also have bad interactions with garage door openers.
Its another electric car that is priced so high that only those who can afford to buy lots of gasoline can get one. Still the trend is good 100K for the roadster, 60K for the model S, 50K for the X. Some day I may be able to afford one. :-)
Way to go Tesla!
( I wish the old used roadsters would get cheap but their market value just stays up there.) Guess I'll have to build my own or work a few King Crab missions.
Rustin Haase
- February 10, 2012 @ 05:35 pm PST
The great thing about Gull Wing doors is that if you have enough room to get to them you have enough room to fully open them.
.............................................................................................................................
Including recharges how long would it take me to drive from Denver to LA at posted speed limits?
Slowburn
- February 10, 2012 @ 10:45 pm PST
why are governments not backing this kind of design tech?it's a no brainer to a poor naive fool like me!! seriously,this seems to be an all round vehicle to solve an itching shortfall in clean personal transport.linked to a sustainable means of power generation...to my mind,the problem,at least one part of it,is solved.but now,the only fly in the ointment is short sighted administrations with their own short termist agendas,oh well,soldier on friends.....one day.
floccipaucinihilipilification
- February 11, 2012 @ 07:37 am PST
o my god, it so beautifull
eqoist
- February 11, 2012 @ 10:01 am PST
re; floccipaucinihilipilification
They are that is why the idea of electric cars keep making a comeback despite the fact that electricity storage devices are clearly not up to the task.
Slowburn
- February 12, 2012 @ 01:12 am PST
@Slowburn,
Wow, you must have one heck of a commute (over 80 miles each way to make the Model S "not up to the task")
MrRodgers
- February 13, 2012 @ 08:00 am PST
re; MrRodgers
You must be rich to afford one car for commuting, and another for weekend trips. I occasionally have to take several hundred mile trips essentially without notice, and without time to recharge a battery on the way.
flappes1968
- February 13, 2012 @ 05:39 pm PST
It's great that it comes with a Federal rebate. Did you know that Chevy Volt buyers get a $10,000. Federal credit? Did you also know that the average income of a Volt buyer is $177,000?
I'm so glad that a portion my taxes help these "fat cats" with their purchase. I make $40,000.
Get the Feds OUT OF MY POCKET!
Gary Beach
- February 21, 2012 @ 09:19 am PST
"I'm so glad that a portion my taxes help these "fat cats" with their purchase. I make $40,000."
You already send your tax dollars to support subsidy's for the oil companies so you don't have to pay the actual price for gas!
Jerry Peavy
- February 21, 2012 @ 11:31 am PST
Conversation overheard in 1904:
"Why would you want one of those new-fangled auto-mobiles? I could buy 30 horses for the price of ONE of those, and the cost of that gasoline alone would be enough to feed all 30 horses for a month! Crazy rich fat-cats and their auto-mobiles... it'll never work out. That Ford company will be out of business in just a couple years."
BTW, in 1904 the Ford Model "B" sold for $2,000... or $52,000 in inflation adjusted dollars....40% more expensive than the Chevy Volt...
Matt Rings
- May 8, 2012 @ 09:30 am PDT
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Gull Wing doors mean I would have to buy a kayak trailer. Guess it doesn't matter, if I could afford it, I would get one. When are they coming out with the economy models?