Tesla has announced that the Model S P100D (with Ludicrous mode) is now available to order, billing it as the fastest accelerating production car currently on the new vehicle market.
The all-wheel electric car – which is sadly not currently available in South Africa – is said to be able to hit 100 km/h from standstill in just 2,7 seconds (and travel from 0-60 mph in just 2,5 seconds). It’s this second figure that has Tesla CEO Elon Musk really excited, as he points out that only the limited-run LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder are quicker to that mark.
“I can beat a McLaren F1 – that’s nuts!” he told AutoExpress.
“The fastest car in the world that you can buy new is electric. In the future, people will look at gasoline cars as quaint – not how you get around,” he added.
The new 100 kWh battery also increases range to an estimated 613 km on the EU cycle, making it the longest range production electric vehicle.
Tesla says the larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, “making the world’s quickest SUV even faster”. The Model X P100D (with Ludicrous mode) can apparently complete the obligatory dash in just 3,1 seconds (and move from 0-60 mph in 2,9 seconds) and travel up to 542 km on a single charge.
Customers who have already ordered a P90D, but have not yet taken delivery, can upgrade to the 100 kWh pack for an additional $10 000 (about R140 000). Existing P90D Ludicrous owners, too, can upgrade, although that will cost some $20 000 (around R280 000) as the used 90 kWh pack will have to be recycled.
