Calling it a “car from the
future”, Eion Musk, top boss of Tesla, handed over the first six of Model X SUVs
to its owners in California recently. The
first Model Xs are limited edition ones that shall go to people connected with
the company. Initially there will be a Signature Model X and a Ludicrous Model
X (accelerates faster and is priced at around US $ 142,000)-Rs 93 lakh approx.
Later there could also be a base model of this car. This long-awaited SUV was
originally slated for debut in 2013. Radically designed, this new car from the
makers of ultra modern electric vehicles is the safest, fastest and most
capable sport utility vehicle in history, the company claims.
The Model X has as its
standard feature an all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh battery providing 250 miles (402
km approx.) of range. Model X has ample seating for seven adults and all of
their gear. And it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from zero to 60 miles (97km
approx.) per hour in as quick as 3.2 seconds. The estimated delivery for new
reservations is the latter half of 2016
Model X is designed with
safety as the first priority. The floor-mounted battery lowers the centre of
gravity so that the risk of rollover is about half that of any vehicle in its
class. The battery structure strengthens Model X against side impact
intrusions. And without a gasoline engine, the large front trunk acts as a
giant impact-absorbing crumple zone.
Model X continually scans the
surrounding roadway with camera, radar and sonar systems, providing the driver
with real-time feedback to help avoid collisions. Even at highway speeds, Model
X is designed to automatically apply brakes in an emergency.
As for controlling pollution,
both inside and outside, the car has a medical grade HEPA filter strips for
clean the outside air of pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution before
circulating it into the cabin. There are three modes: circulate with outside
air, re-circulate inside air and a bio-weapon defense mode that creates
positive pressure inside the cabin to protect occupants.
As for its radical design and
styling, the car comes with falcon wing doors that allow easy access to second
and third row seats from even a tight parking space, while traditional SUV
doors or Minivan sliding doors would not grant any access.
With only a foot of clearance
on either side, Falcon Wing doors articulate smoothly up and out of the way,
allowing passengers to enter from both front and rear directions. The side and
overhead opening is so large that parents can buckle children in without
ducking or straining and without bumping their child's head on the roof.
The new Model X is able to
achieve 250 miles of range in part because it is the most aerodynamic SUV in
production. At 0.24, Model X's drag coefficient is 20pc lower than the next
best SUV. In addition, an active spoiler deploys from the rear liftgate to
optimise highway efficiency and stability.
Whne it comes to view from the windshield, the Model
X has the largest all glass panoramic windshield in production, providing an
unparalleled view of the stars and sky above. Optimised solar tinting and
obstruction-free view creates unlimited visibility for the driver and all
passengers.
The car has a seating for
Seven + Gear. Model X comfortably seats seven people in three rows. Every seat
is the best seat in the house, but the second row seats are a work of art.
Mounted on a single post and independently reclining, each second row seat is
designed to maximize passenger comfort, legroom, under seat storage and access
to the third row. The third row seats fold flat when not in use and the second
row seats lean forward and out of the way for even more cargo area. It also
comes with Two Seating Configurations. Seven-seat configurations maximize
passenger capacity while six-seat configurations open second row seats to the
third row and provide added cargo capacity. There is a lot of storage space
too. One can stow everyone's gear in Model X's large front trunk, rear cargo
area and under passenger seats. The front trunk is large enough to hold two
golf bags and the rear cargo area can easily hold large items like bicycles,
skis and snowboards. Hitch mounted accessory carriers hold additional gear.
Model X is the first electric vehicle with a 5,000 pound towing capacity.
P90D Performance Alll Wheel Drive model
250 miles range (EPA est.)
3.8 seconds 0-60 mph
3.2 seconds with Ludicrous Speed Upgrade
259 hp front, 503 hp rear
motor power
155 mph (250km approx.) top
speed
90D All Wheel Drive model
257 miles range (EPA est.)
4.8 seconds 0-60 mph
259 hp front, 259 hp rear
motor power
155 mph top speed
Source: Tesla