Tesla Launches The Model X All Electric SUV

Tesla held their launch event for their latest electric vehicle – the Model X, last night at 8pm (see the event HERE). After nearly an hour delay, they finally got the show on the road and rolled out a white Model X and Elon Musk began his pitch. While there have been prototypes at trade shows and out in the wild for some time, this is the first time the production car has been on display to the public. There were few external surprises save for maybe the blunt, virtually grill-less front end which differed quite a bit from the prototypes. There’s been mixed reaction to the design but most agree it’s not as stark in the other colors as it is in white. Tesla has touted the Model X as being “the safest SUV ever” and the only one to be five star rated in all categories. A five star rating means the probability of an injury in a high speed crash is 10%, a four star 15% and so on. Tesla has been able to calculate an expected rate of 6.5% which is not quite a (non-existent) six star rating of 5%. Most of this is thanks to the absence of an engine in the front waiting to be crammed into the cabin upon impact. It also has a number of automated safety features thanks to sensors that scan the area using camera, radar and sonar systems. So the driver is able to get real-time feedback for collision avoidance and offers auto braking in an emergency.

While the “Signature” models (for those who put down substantial deposits about 3 years ago) price at $132,000 – $142,000, there will be less expensive, but nowhere near affordable for most, models that are supposed to be priced about $5,000 more than their comparable Model S siblings so minimum you are looking at a stout $80,000 before optioning. There are several features that were made known for the first time. The first one that Elon spent a fair amount of time talking about is the air filtration system. Tesla has placed a very large medical grade HEPA filter in front of the cabin that Musk said would make the air as sterile as an operating room and could filter chemicals from a biological weapon. It literally has a HVAC setting of Bioweapon defense mode that creates a positive air pressure inside the cabin. Doomsday preppers take note.

The falcon wing doors have long been known as a prominent and unique feature and there was a nice demonstration of them opening with cars parked rather closely (roughly a foot) on each side without incident. They have built in sensors that can “see through metal” to adjust their angle of opening and the degree to which they open in response to collision perception collected by the sensors. This allows passengers to disembark in tight spaces but no word on how the front seat occupants would deal with such a dilemma as the front doors are of the traditional variety. One other big feature is towing, something that consumers have been asking for. The 5,400 lb Model X has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and is the only all electric SUV to offer it. If you check their forums, many are disappointed that it’s not 10,000 lbs but it will still pull quite a load and to illustrate that, they pulled an RV trailer on stage.

One of the most notable features once you get inside is the panoramic windshield that curves all the way back above the front seats until it hits the tops of the rears doors. This has been described as a helicopter-like view and can be blocked off with blinds that swing out from the A frame and magnetically attach to the rear view mirror. For tall drivers such as myself, this is superb as there is no roof line to obscure high mounted traffic lights, signs, and such.

Inside, it seats up to seven which is configurable to be just six plus tons of storage in the back in and in the so-called “frunk” or front trunk. Of course, it has most of the goodies found in the Model S including maps and navigation on its huge console touch screen, free charging at any Tesla Supercharger, and automatic keyless entry though the Model X will automatically open the front doors for you if you approach them at a 45 degree angle. Right now the 90D and P90D, each with 90 kWh batteries and AWD, are the only ones officially announced but others will soon follow to match the varieties of the Model S though no RWD only models. The 90D will hit 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and the P90D at 3.2 seconds when equipped with ludicrous mode. As good or better than any street legal supercar on the planet. Range is expected to be 250mi which is similar to that of the Model S thanks to a 0.24 drag coefficient which is tops for any SUV made.

Want one? Get in line and prepare to wait. And wait. There are roughly 30,000 pre-orders and they aren’t expecting to fill all of them until the second half of 2016. Given Tesla’s penchant for just in time delivery on their promises, this likely means December of 2016.