You’d expect a high-performance full-size sedan covering zero to 100km/h in the true supercar time of 3.0-seconds to be noisy and use a lot of fuel.
In the case of the Tesla P85D you would be wrong – this is the range-topper of the made-in-California brand’s just-launched dual motor Model S range.
As the name suggests, Tesla’s dual-motor range features two electric motors – one driving the front wheels and one driving the rears.
The 3.0-seconds zero to 100km/h time belongs to the Tesla P85D fitted with the ‘Ludicrous Mode’ update (an extra $14,300).
For the regular Tesla Model S P85D dual-motor, you’ve got 375kW of power going to the rear wheels and 192kW powering the fronts. So now we’re talking 3.3-seconds zero to 100km/h (still a genuine supercar time).
Mid-range is the 311kW Tesla Model S 85D which covers zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds.
And the entry-level dual-motor is the Tesla Model S 70D offering 245kW and zero to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
Range between battery re-charges is 442kms for the 70D, 528kms for the 85D and 491kms for the P85D.
Tesla is currently working on expanding its battery recharging network and has opened three high-speed ‘supercharger’ stations (Sydney has two and Melbourne has one). Next-up will be the East Coast network with facilities in places like Gundagai, Goulburn etc.
As well as the ‘Ludicrous Mode’ battery/technology upgrade Tesla has announced the availability of a battery pack upgrade from 85kWh to 90kWh priced at $4,300 and which can be ordered for 85D models (both AWD and RWD) and the range-topping P85D
Tesla’s dual-motor Model S range looks like this:
| 70D | $113,300 |
| 85D | $128,200 |
| P85D | $157,000 |
The rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model S range is:
| 70D | $106,100 |
| S 85 | $121,000 |
On the options list are:
| AutoPilot (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, self-parking etc) | $3,600 |
| Air Suspension (with driver-adjustable height and firmness settings) | $3,600 |
| Premium Audio | $3,600 |
| Subzero (heated rear seats and steering wheel etc) | $1,450 |
