Tesla's 'D' adds all-wheel drive, safety features

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk unveiled a new version of the luxury electric car maker's Model S sedan that includes all-wheel drive and self-driving "auto pilot" features.

The open-to-the-public event Thursday night included free alcohol and test rides on an airport tarmac.

With more than 1,000 Tesla fans in the audience, Musk explained that the current Model S is a rear-wheel-drive car with one motor, but a new version will have two motors — one powering the front wheels and one powering the rear wheels.

All-wheel drive helps grip slippery roads and is standard on many luxury sedans. Analysts have said Tesla needed it to boost sales in the Northeast and Midwest, as well as Europe.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/teslas-d-adds-wheel-drive-safety-features-092557522--finance.html

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Like him or not, Musk certainly is a man with a vision.

[AtheistCrusader]

1. The car will go park itself after you get out, and come back to you when summoned.

This is not a car.

This is the Iron Man suit.

[DFW]

2. My best friend drives one back home in Dallas

I'm not sure how brilliant an idea it was to have free-flowing alcohol at an event to test ride an automobile, however.

I sure as hell hope they don't do it when the demonstrate airplanes.

[KansDem]

5. "...free-flowing alcohol at an event to test ride an automobile"

That's the reason for "self-driving 'auto pilot' features."

[packman]

3. That is a beauty of a car

God, to be in my early 20's, having enough money to buy that and single (wife never reads my posts anyway) - dream on.

[KeepItReal]

4. Really close to inventing KITT

Alas, no Turbo Boost, though

[OnlinePoker]

6. $120,000

I thought their prices were supposed to be coming down.

[KeepItReal]

7. $71,000 is starting price for the base Model S

You must be referring to the future Tesla Model III

Still a couple of years out for that model.

[OnlinePoker]

8. I'm talking about the next model this article was refering to.

The base price of the P85 with all-wheel drive — which will be known as P85D — is $120,000. I was hoping they would be bringing out a vehicle a regular consumer could afford.

[AtheistCrusader]

10. This is not a consumer commuter car. This is a supercar.

This car competes with shit like the Lotus Elise, multiple Lambo's, top end BMW's. This is not a consumer car. This car would humiliate a Lotus Elise, and it's got FOUR doors while doing it. Insane. It'll even beat a Mercedes-Bens SLS AMG to the 60mph mark by a half second, and the SLS AMG is a $275,000 car.

There's a ~$35k car coming in 2017 that will compete as a consumer commuter. This is not it. This car will develop one full G acceleration. This car will smash you back into the seat. Violently.


Elon Musk is poised to extinguish the entire high-end auto market. To go faster than this PRODUCTION car, you're looking at a 2.2 million dollar Bugatti Veryon. And the Bugatti can neither park itself, nor drive itself, and only has two doors and no back seat...

[physioex]

12. Completely Agree.....

But you gotta admit there is something visceral about the roar of a V-8 and changing gears. The last real Lambo IMHO was made in the early 90's stick shift, no power steering, abs, or traction control.

[KeepItReal]

11. The "D" is just a new option pack for the existing Model S platform

It is not a new model, per se, like the Model X and Model III

You can order any Model S (60kWh or 85kWw battery) with the "D" second motor package.

The all-wheel drive "D" Model S with 60kWh battery starts at $75,070

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/design

[grahamhgreen]

9. The 2017 model is supposed to be cheaper and much cooler. I googled around for used Tesla's and

found that the used ones were selling for as much as the new!!!

Friend of a friend works at Tesla and says to wait for the 2017 version.....

[physioex]

13. No to dissimlar...

To when cars like the Miata 1st came out.