All the attention may be on Tesla’s current darling, the Model S, but the company is ramping up its efforts to release its new, seven-seater Model X SUV, which will go on sale in 2014.
The Model X uses a set of batteries and a pair of electric motors instead of the usual internal combustion engine malarkey and there are no performance sacrifices. According to Tesla, it’ll outrun most SUVs and will even give sports cars such as the Porsche 911 and BMW M5 a run for their money.
The Model X’s dual motor setup pushes 416bhp and 600Nm of torque to all four wheels. A rear wheel drive version is also available. Despite its size, Tesla claims a 0-62mph sprint time of under five seconds — not bad at all considering the thing seats seven passengers.
Other notable features of the Model X include gullwing rear doors and rear seats that slide all the way forward, allowing passengers to hop easily into the third row of seats. Up front the Model X features the same ginormous 17-inch touchscreen display as the Model S, which allows you to adjust the audio, heating and sat-nav, while a second display in the instrument binnacle in front of the wheel lets you keep tabs on your speed, range etc.
The Model X will be available with the option of two battery sizes. The 60kWh battery version offers a claimed 210-mile range. Spend a little more and the 85kWh lithium ion battery will keep you going for 270 miles.
Tesla says prices will be similar to those of the Model S saloon which means $67,400 (£41,469) for the 60kWh version and $77,400 (£47,461) for 85kWh model before tax.
Deliveries of the Model X will begin in 2014. To register your interest, you will need to head on over to the Tesla website and plonk down either a refundable $5,000 or $40,000 deposit, depending on whether you want the standard or the pricier Signature model.
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