Despite higher power and a more demanding motor system, Tesla has managed to get more mileage out of a single battery charge than with older versions of the Model S.
If you thought Tesla Motors’ Model S sedan was impressive, just wait until you get a load of what is coming next. According to a report from Wired Magazine, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has officially announced his company’s next automotive innovation. The car is called the Model S P85D, or the “Model D,” and it is faster, sleeker, and more powerful than its sedan counterpart.
Musk himself described the Model D as “insane” and “bananas” as he introduced it to the public. Wired says that the new car will be able to master the 0 to 60 mph benchmark in 3.2 seconds – a statistic it shares with the McLaren F1, known widely as one of the fastest cars in the world.
As far as aesthetics are concerned, the Model D is the same car as the Model S. Consumers familiar with the exterior appearance of the original Tesla sedan will already be familiar with how the P85D looks. The interior will likely be similar as well.
However, none of that means that the Model D is the same car as the Model S. Instead, it’s a very different beast packed into the same sleek package as before. The biggest change is a new dual-motor system, which can handle quicker acceleration and high top speeds than the Model S. Where Tesla’s current sedan tops out at 130 mph, the P85D will be able to push it to 155. Finally, the Model D will boast all-wheel drive, making it a more friendly car choice for drivers in snowy areas.
The list of impressive features for the Model D goes on and on. Despite higher power and a more demanding motor system, Tesla has managed to get more mileage out of a single battery charge than with older versions of the Model S. There will also be a radar meant to break through dense fog and snow, a camera that can recognize traffic lights and signs, a sonar system, and a high-tech GPS tool that uses all of those items for better navigation.
What this all ultimately amounts to is an accomplish autopilot system. And while Musk and company are not ready to announce a fully autonomous car, the Tesla CEO said that the Model D will help protect, for instance, those who fall asleep while driving. Thanks to radars, sonars, and cameras, the car will not let you steer into oncoming traffic or other types of danger.
The Model D should be on the road within the next few months. The car will cost between $75,000 and $121,000, depending on which size of battery buyers choose.
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