Tesla punches up battery life, range and speed for new Model S, Model X
'I think this is going to send a great message to the public that sustainable transport is the future,' says Tesla CEO Elon Musk
Tesla's new battery pack is all about going the distance, and going faster than any mass-produced car has ever gone.
Tesla announced new versions of its Model S sedan and Model X crossover, with substantially faster acceleration and longer battery range.
The company claims its Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode is the fastest production car in the world, in terms of acceleration. Tesla compared it to the likes of the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder, which were faster, but were limited-run cars, while the Tesla will factory-produced for the general public. The Model S has a 100 kilowatt hour battery, with a 315 mile EPA range.
"I think this is going to send a great message to the public that sustainable transport is the future," CEO Elon Musk said.
However, after the announcement, shares of both Tesla and SolarCity gave up earlier gains of 2.49 per cent and 1.9 per cent, respectively. At market close, both stocks were up slightly.
The Model X P100D, which also has Ludicrous mode — a performance mode that allows an increase in acceleration through electronics — is built to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds and will be able to travel 289 miles on a single charge.