Industry News: Tesla Introduces The Model X

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 10, 2012

Last night, Tesla introduced their next vehicle, the Model X. Based on on an extended platform of the 5+2 passenger sedan, the Model S, the Model X is a seven passenger crossover EV.

Design of the Model X takes a Model S, enlarges it, and adds the back end of the BMW X6. The signature design feature of the Model X is what Tesla is calling falcon-wing doors, a two-piece articulated gullwing door. The trick with the falcon-wing doors is their ability to fold in while opening, thus making it easier to exit in tight spots.

Like the Model S, the Model X will be offered with different battery sizes (60 and 85 kW-hrs). Range for the Model X is expected to be 10% less than the Model S (about 214 to 267 miles depending on the battery). Recharge time is expected to be around four hours.

Tesla says the Model X will begin production sometime in 2013, with sales beginning a year after. Want to be one of the first people to get one? Tesla has opened up pre-orders starting today.

Source: Automotive.com

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[G. David Felt]

My wife watched this on the news this morning at 5am PST with me and the first thing out of her mouth was,

That is one of the ugliest Jelly Bean auto's ever.

Do they have no one that understands style?

I do like the rear doors though, but would pass on the rest.

Very interesting observation of the wife who usually could care less about the auto's.

I do agree that the style leaves much to be desireed.

[§carlet §wordfish]

Gull wing doors? Excellent.

I find Tesla's styling on the models S and X quite pleasant. They don't have a lot of surface detail, but they're nice shapes and nicely proportioned. The interaction of the character line and the fender arches on the X reminds me of the Focus though.

The interior would be nice if it didn't have that giant shiny slab of a touchscreen taking up the entire center console.

Edited February 10, 2012 by §carlet §wordfish

[ocnblu]

Looks a bit like vaporware, ya think?

[G. David Felt]

Looks a bit like vaporware, ya think?

I totally agree

[§carlet §wordfish]

No.

[PurdueGuy]

Considering I was just reading within the last week that it's very questionable if Tesla can get their hands on the money to actually produce the Model S, I have serious doubts we'll see this one.

[§carlet §wordfish]

I hope they find the resources to produce both.