Tesla Motors, Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) has reached a significant milestone on electric vehicles and power storage. The company unveiled a new Model S P100D with a Ludicrous mode.
The sedan reportedly goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, making it the quickest production car ever made, according to a post on Tesla Team’s blog.
Although rival models such as LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder are currently leading over Tesla when it comes to acceleration.
However, the S P100D provides more cargo capacity, has four doors, and seats up to five adults plus two children.
Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode’s specs and price
Also, a new 100-killowat-hour battery will power both the S and X models, allowing the vehicles to drive for more than 300 miles without recharging.
Tesla Motors is offering a $10,000 battery upgrade for current pre-orderers of the previous P90D, while existing owners will have to pay $20,000 for the new battery and have their 90kWh pack recycled.
For the 100kWh battery, Tesla’s Engineers managed to store more energy into the same size pack by creating a new cooling system and rearranging the battery’s cell structure and electronics. The product will be available only for the high-end line of Tesla Motors. A new Model S P100D with the Ludicrous mode would cost around $130,000.
What has Tesla achieved during its existence?
Since its incorporation in July 2003, Tesla has made major breakthroughs on the electric vehicle market. CEO Elon Musk has stated the company’s long-term goal was to build affordable mass-produced cars.
Its first model, the Tesla Roadster, helped the automaker gain notoriety thanks to an AC motor and lithium-ion battery cells, the first of its kind.
Also, the company has developed and placed over 690 Supercharger stations across the U.S to recharge its vehicles within minutes.
Another well-known product of the company is its autopilot software. However, the equipment has inspired mixed feelings on customers, as it as partially involved in one fatal crash in Florida on May, prompting The National Transportation Safety Board to initiate an investigation.
However, the same software saved the life of a pedestrian in Washington D.C and helped a person suffering a pulmonary embolism make it to the local hospital.
What will be Tesla’s new product?
Making electric autos is not the only mission of the company, as Mr. Musk has insisted multiple times about the importance of solar power in the future.
Last month, Tesla unveiled a new partnership with SolarCity, a solar energy provider. Together, they will work in clean-energy products such as home battery storage and panels, under a single brand.
Tesla’s energy brand has already gained early success with the upcoming Powerpack and Powerwall batteries, designed to use sustainable energy to power industries and houses respectively.
The company built and installed 500 units of the Powerwall for a pilot demonstration in 2015 with positive reviews.
More Tesla announcements indicate the company is expanding
All of these factors have already caused some local impact. When Tesla announced the construction of its Gigafactory in 2014, numerous state lawmakers from California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, were willing to ease regulatory and environmental laws to fasten the project.
Finally, Nevada State emerged as the victor by offering 1.3 billion tax break and incentive package over the next 20 years. The 10-million-square-foot Gigafactory will provide over 6,000 permanent jobs, according to Elon Musk.
Tesla Motors is planning to use the revenue of its S and X models to continue the developing of a more affordable vehicle, the Tesla 3. The starting price for the upcoming the car is $35,000, and reservations for $1,000 are available at the automaker’s official site.
Source: Tesla