Tesla CEO Elon Musk got the speculation ball rolling earlier today with this Tweet:
Well, it's now past noon California time and as promised, Tesla did make a product announcement, the long-awaited and much-leaked P100D is launching now.
Tesla is highly focused on the "Quickest Production Car in the World" title, which requires loads of power, but range is important too and as we see from the specs (added below), the Model S P100D easily exceeds 300 miles of EPA estimated range, making it the range winner out of all production electric cars.
0-60 mph for the top of the line 100 kWh Model S? Just 2.5 seconds; while the P100DL Model X now hits 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Here's a breakdown of the specs for both the Model S and Model X P100D:
- Range: 315 miles (EPA Estimate) / 613 km (NEDC Estimate)
- 0-60 acceleration: 2.5 seconds
- Price: $134,500 (a $9,500 bump over the older P90DL)
- Range: 289 miles (EPA Estimate) / 542 km (NEDC Estimate)
- 0-60 acceleration: 2.9 seconds
- Price: $135,500
On the conference call after the announcement CEO Elon Musk said that the two new models in just the high end (P100D with Ludicrous mode) were available for order now, and the company is targeting to make about 200 per week. The 100Ds will come "several months" from now.
"These are really profound milestones, and I think will help convince people around the world that electric is the future and it's time to move to sustainable transport," - Tesla CEO Elon Musk
The CEO also stated that the company is at its "theoretical limit" when it comes to how much capacity can be shoved into the Model S/X's current housing on this chemistry (and while still using the current 18650 batteries - the new 21-70/21700s); but that the 100 kWh cars have a new cooling system and battery pack architecture - although dimensionally the same.
"It's a pretty big change in the battery module and pack technology. It's a complete redo on the cooling architecture." JB Straubel, CTO from the conference call
...which of course means that upgrades are available for all those new P90DL owner out there. In this case, the price tag is $20,000 due to the full pack replacement and upgrade needed. Basically at this price we feel Tesla is attempting to both provide an option of owners to upgrade, but also saying at the same time, "we'd really rather not do it". For those with a P90DL on order, but not yet received - $10,000 will let you move up to the new hotness.
When it comes to the additional performance of the P100DLs, acceleration improvements are entirely to do with the improved battery, as the drivetrain is unchagned. Tesla notes that the most noticeable changes will be felt at the higher end, in highway-passing speed, where the car was previously more limited by power. So yes, much better quarter miles are also en route.
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Here is the info via Tesla in its entirety (with important parts bolded by us):
New Tesla Model S Now the Quickest Production Car in the World
The Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode is the third fastest accelerating production car ever produced, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.5* seconds. However, both the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder were limited run, million dollar vehicles and cannot be bought new. While those cars are small two seaters with very little luggage space, the pure electric, all-wheel drive Model S P100D has four doors, seats up to 5 adults plus 2 children and has exceptional cargo capacity.
The 100 kWh battery also increases range substantially to an estimated 315 miles on the EPA cycle and 613 km on the EU cycle, making it the first to go beyond 300 miles and the longest range production electric vehicle by far.
The larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, making the world’s quickest SUV even faster. Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9* seconds and travels up to 289 miles EPA and 542 km EU on a single charge. Model X is also a pure electric SUV and can seat up to seven adults.
Model S and Model X are engineered to be the safest cars on the road and to have the highest ratings from NHTSA. Both have access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the freedom to travel long distance for free. And every Tesla will improve over time with free over the air upgrades.
Tesla customers who have ordered a P90D Ludicrous, but not taken delivery, can upgrade to the 100 kWh pack for $10,000. Existing P90D Ludicrous owners can also upgrade to a 100 kWh pack, but for $20,000, as their used 90 kWh pack will have to be recycled.
While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development.
Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.
* Expected value using max power mode and Motor Trend benchmark