New 2017 Tesla Model S: further details, prices and specs
Fastest Tesla Model S – the P100D – set to do 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds
Alongside the recently revealed entry-level Tesla Model S P60 and P60D, a new super-high performance version of the luxury electric car – the P100D – has been confirmed. This will be the fastest model in the Tesla range, capable of doing 0-60mph in just 2.5 seconds. That’s on a par with some seriously high-performance cars, including the likes of the McLaren 570S, Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Aventador and Porsche 911 Turbo. This also technically makes it the fastest-accelerating new car on sale today.
Despite this performance hike, the car’s range has been increased, too, managing 381 miles between charges (as long as you don’t use all that mind-bending performance, obviously). The company also says the charging rate – from its Supercharger stations at any rate – is unchanged. The larger 100kWh battery, however, could take slightly longer to charge fully than the current 90kWh battery in the 90 and P90D models.
This means the P100D Model S will sit above the current range-topper, the P90D, which is capable of doing 0-6-mph in just 2.7 seconds and has a maximum range of around 330 miles. This news comes hot on the heels of the much-anticipated Tesla Model 3 that was revealed at the beginning of April.
In terms of design, the biggest change for the 2017 Model S is the removal of the black exterior trim piece at the front of the car, which was intended to look like a radiator grille (which the electric Tesla doesn’t need). Therefore, the front end has been redesigned to look more like the Tesla Model X SUV (which also gets the P100D upgrade) and the forthcoming Model 3 executive saloon.
According to our sister site Auto Express, the 2017 Model S will get some new interior wood trim, while prices for the entry-level P60 model are set to start at £53,400 (after the £4,500 Government electric car grant).
There are a host of updates under the body, too. The new Model S uses a more efficient method of air filtration developed for the Model X. Tesla claims this system is up to 100 times more effective than a normal cabin air-filtration setup. Tesla has also upgraded the standard charging system from 40 to 48 amps, to enable even faster charging times from its Supercharger stations.
The entry-level P60 model will have a maximum range of 248 miles, while upgrading to the four-wheel-drive P60D adds five miles to this, increasing the maximum to 253 miles. They both have a top speed of 130mph, while the rear-wheel-drive version will do 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and the four-wheel-drive model will take just 5.2 seconds.
Prices for the P60 start at £53,400, while P60D begins at £57,800. You'll also be able add a 75kWh battery upgrade for an extra £7,500, upping the range for the P60 to around 295 miles and just over 300 miles for the four-wheel-drive P60D.
At the top of the range, the bonkers P100D costs from £114,200. People who have ordered the existing P90D model with ‘Ludicrous’ mode – which costs from £101,100 after the Government’s electric-car grant – can, however, upgrade to the P100D version, making up the cost differentce between the two.
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