CNET RoadShow Calls Tesla Model X “Car From The Future.”

Good news for those considering the Model X — Tesla recently dropped the price of the 100D by $3,500 and P100D by $5,000. That said, is this the car for you? Tim Stevens from CNET’s Roadshow* recently revisited the SUV and explained that, “the Model X isn’t just an SUV. It’s an electric SUV, of course, but it’s a lot more than that, too. It’s quicker than most sports cars on the road, yet far more practical and more comfortable. It offers a selection of luxury appointments rarely found on cars not costing well into the six figures and it manages to fit three rows of seats in a distinctive shape in a segment full of me-too crossovers.”

Above: Tesla Model X P100D about to take flight (Source: CNET’s Roadshow*)

So what’s new with the Model X in 2017? “Now, buyers have a few different middle-row [seat] configurations to ponder, with room for either six or seven. Crucially, that middle row now folds flat… [and] Tesla now offers a 100 kilowatt-hour battery pack option, which gives a realistic 295 miles of range. That’s up about 40 miles over last year, and to be honest even that figure felt like plenty. But, while the car didn’t need more range, a little more comfort room never hurt.”

Above: Model X’s 22-inch onyx matte black wheels (Source: CNET’s Roadshow*)

But, it’s not just range and comfort that have gotten better — performance has also improved. “The top-shelf P100D will sprint from zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds, up two-tenths from last year’s quickest. That’s frankly ridiculous for any object that weighs 5,500 pounds, but I love it… When set to maximum power mode, the Model X is pretty astonishing. The acceleration is brutal and the throttle response instantaneous, but the real beauty is just how accessible it is. Any speed, any time, just dip your right foot slightly and you’ll quickly be surveying the depths of the padding of the car’s headrests.”

Above: Tim Stevens of CNET’s Roadshow reviews a 2017 Tesla Model X P100D (Source: CNET’s Roadshow*)

Stevens explains that the newest iterations of Tesla’s falcon-wing doors, Autopilot 2, and vegan seat upholstery have all shown improvements as well, although he believes Tesla can do even better. That said, he concludes, “The Model X really is in a bit of a class of its own… A year later, there’s still nothing like the Model X on the road. Driving it feels like driving the future, and while it’s not for everybody, if it’s for you you’re in for a pretty special experience.”

*Source: CNET’s Roadshow

Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Coming To America By End Of 2017

Regular readers know I am a big fan of the Kia Niro. Yes, Kia did fly me down to San Antonio last year to spend a weekend driving the Niro through the Texas hill country outside San Antonio but I am a true journalist and cannot be bought with such things as sumptuous meals, free drinks, and courtside seats to a Spurs game.

The truth is, I was impressed with the Kia Niro. It is stylish, comfortable, and best of all, it’s an SUV that gets an honest EPA rating of 51 miles per gallon in its base configuration. It’s best feature is the six speed DSG transmission that makes it feel like a car with true sporting pretensions when the driver fells like playing.

Is it as quick as a Tesla P100D? No, not even close. But it costs one fifth as much. It’s a car even I could afford. And it has a rear seat real people can get in and out of, something that detracts from the overall goodness of the Chevy Volt. There are rumors the Niro PHEV will have a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs or so. No other PHEV offers that.

The Niro, like its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq, will come with either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric powertrain. The hybrid is on sale now. The electric car is expected this summer. And the plug-in hybrid will be in US showrooms before Christmas.

With an 8.9 kWh battery, the Niro PHEV will have an EPA electric only range of about 25 miles. For those who think that’s too low, keep in mind the BMW 330e has a paltry 14 miles of range and costs twice as much. The Niro PHEV falls short of the Chevy Volt’s 53 miles of range but then again its battery is half the size and it will likely retail for $7,000 less. 25 miles doesn’t seem too bad when you’re saving 7 grand.

Source: Cleantechnica

The Tesla P100D Has Landed. 0-60 In 2.5 Seconds

The second worst kept secret in the automotive universe is that that Tesla has been working on a 100 kWh battery. The first worst kept secret is that Apple is planning to build an electric car. Today, August 23, 2016 at 12:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time, Tesla thrilled all its faithful followers with the official announcement that a performance version of its Model S sedan and Model X SUV with dual motors is now available.

Here is the announcement in full. Cue the fanfare of trumpets.

The Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode is the third fastest accelerating production car ever produced, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.5* seconds. However, both the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder were limited run, million dollar vehicles and cannot be bought new. While those cars are small two seaters with very little luggage space, the pure electric, all-wheel drive Model S P100D has four doors, seats up to 5 adults plus 2 children and has exceptional cargo capacity.

The 100 kWh battery also increases range substantially to an estimated 315 miles on the EPA cycle and 613 km on the EU cycle, making it the first to go beyond 300 miles and the longest range production electric vehicle by far.

The larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, making the world’s quickest SUV even faster. Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9* seconds and travels up to 289 miles EPA estimated and 542 km EU on a single charge. Model X is also a pure electric SUV and can seat up to seven adults.

Model S and Model X are engineered to be the safest cars on the road and to have the highest ratings from NHTSA. Both have access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the freedom to travel long distance for free. And every Tesla will improve over time with free over the air upgrades.

Tesla customers who have ordered a P90D Ludicrous, but not taken delivery, can upgrade to the 100 kWh pack for $10,000. Existing P90D Ludicrous owners can also upgrade to a 100 kWh pack, but for $20,000, as their used 90 kWh pack will have to be recycled.

While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development. Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.

* Expected value using max power mode and Motor Trend benchmark

Note that Motor Trend uses the one foot roll out procedure common in drag racing when measuring a car’s maximum acceleration.

The world of Tesla is aquiver with excitement. Just imagine. If you already own a newish Model S p90D with Ludicrous Mode, your car already hauls to 60 in 2.65 seconds, according to Drag Times. But now, for a paltry $20,000 more, you can upgrade to a P100D and shave 1.5 tenths of a second off that time. If that doesn’t peg your giggle meter, it’s hard to imagine what would.

Source: Tesla Motors