[Jim Doran]

http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/23/tech...iid=TL_Popular

Tesla's cars are now among the fastest on Earth.
The company said Tuesday that a new battery will allow its Model S to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds -- making it the fastest production car in the world.

To be fair, the Porsche 918 Spyder and the LaFerrari are both capable of that acceleration. But both of those cars were "limited run, million dollar vehicles" that are no longer for sale, Tesla said in a blog post.

But Tesla's new, speedier cars will be much less expensive, starting at about $134,000.
The new battery is dubbed the P100D -- "P" is for performance -- and it will be available for Tesla's Model S sedans and Model X SUVs.

"Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development."
The new 100 kWh battery will also give the Model S a range of 315 miles before it needs a charge.
With the P100D battery, the Model X will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and have a driving range of up to 289 miles.

Customers who have already placed orders for a car with a P90D battery can upgrade to the P100D for an additional $10,000. Owners of cars with the P90D that are already on the road can swap their battery pack for a $20,000 fee (including a battery recycling fee.)
Earlier this month, Telsa CEO Elon Musk told investors that he plans to unveil two new products -- a semi-truck and minibus -- sometime before Spring 2017.

[RocktimusPryme]

They are doing super cool stuff there (im interested in the home battery for sure). The performance cant be denied. I just dont think the charging technology is quite there yet. Until you can make long trips without very careful route planning I dont think they will command much of a market share.

If your the person who lives his life for years at a time in a 50 mile radius though its a great car.

[racer_x]

The article should say quickest, not fastest. The fastest car is the Bugatti Veyron.

[flyingn]

correct racer X. big diff from quickest and fastest. Besides, gas engines or nothing for me.

[Half-Inch Stud]

That hollow-core Li-Po battery to get the heat out huh. No doubt for me that electric power will out-accelerate our cast iron twist monsters.

We need a matter transporter, don't we.

[69goatboy]

I know electrics are the way of the future, but doing a big, nasty burnout without the corresponding engine/exhaust noise is just weird.

[Tenney]

Safe, too (and reasonable customer service) ...

https://electrek.co/2016/08/22/tesla...ton-minnesota/

Kinda ironic ...?

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...tock/88548252/

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

I know electrics are the way of the future, but doing a big, nasty burnout without the corresponding engine/exhaust noise is just weird.

On the other hand, you probably wouldn't wind up with old guys having to wear TWO hearing aids.

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by racer_x

The article should say quickest, not fastest. The fastest car is the Bugatti Veyron.

Totally agree. Sometimes it's as if people who write this stuff know very little. I'd argue it's the Chiron, they just haven't made public the proof of it yet.

0-60 in 2.5 is much more fun on Ducati tho

[Chris65LeMans]

From what I've heard, those lightning-fast acceleration runs are only possible in the Tesla once a special mode is activated. After a run, the battery and system needs to cool, so the mode won't work for a while. It's not a "stoplight to stoplight" feature.

Also - from my time as a kid with remote control cars, I learned that high performance takes lots of energy. You can put that $20,000 battery in your Tesla and have 315 miles of range, or you can have a lead foot and get (probably significantly) less range. You can't have both.

I think Tesla's focus on performance is mis-guided. Toyota didn't sell 2 million Prius' because they are fast and fun to drive. All these headlines are to take everyone's attention away from the 500,000 Model 3 orders that he has taken deposits for - and done nothing to fill yet.

[92GTA]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

From what I've heard, those lightning-fast acceleration runs are only possible in the Tesla once a special mode is activated.

There are a few modes, which are very easily selectable in the vehicle menu.

As you pointed out, you certainly don't want to be in that mode all the time giving max power to the motors.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

If your the person who lives his life for years at a time in a 50 mile radius though its a great car.

I typically only drive around 100 miles per week, so the Tesla's ~300 mile range would work for me 98% of the time. I agree it would be tricky for taking long trips.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

I think Tesla's focus on performance is mis-guided. Toyota didn't sell 2 million Prius' because they are fast and fun to drive. All these headlines are to take everyone's attention away from the 500,000 Model 3 orders that he has taken deposits for - and done nothing to fill yet.

I think you nailed it with that comment.

This has all the makings of a ponzi scheme.

The only thing is, Musk already has a net worth north of $12,000,000,000.00 and typically those aren't the guys that run those schemes.

But the automobile industry can eat $12,000,000,000.00 quicker than most.

[keith k]

Had the chance to drive a Tesla Model X P85D a few weeks ago.

I nailed the throttle from a dead stop a couple times in "ludicrous" mode. The acceleration for the first second or so is so violent that it induced dizziness. It's quite the rush. By the time it's going ~45 mph, the acceleration is nothing special -- lots of other cars feel as quick or quicker from that speed.

I can understand why the people who buy them get attached to them.

[GT182]

Originally Posted by keith k

I can understand why the people who buy them get attached to them.

They get attached because they can't afford to lose all that money with a trade-in to something else. LOL

[amcmike]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

If your the person who lives his life for years at a time in a 50 mile radius though its a great car.

50 miles? Oh hell no. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P2b_ygxIRY

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by keith k

By the time it's going ~45 mph, the acceleration is nothing special -- lots of other cars feel as quick or quicker from that speed.

I can understand why the people who buy them get attached to them.

The initial rush is because electric motors make maximum torque at zero RPM. Some interesting information here.

http://www.nedra.com/

[Terry M. Hunt]

Sorry, but these things just don't do a thing for me. And did anyone notice the article said this Tesla weighed 5400+ pounds, about the same as the SUV that creamed it? I guess much of that is attributable to the batteries, but it looks awful small to be that heavy. It sure seemed to have a S-load of air bags, though. Of course, if they were all from Takata.......