Tesla’s top range a ‘game changer’

Tesla Motors Inc crowned itself the maker of the world’s fastest production car on Tuesday, saying a new version of its Model S all-electric sedan can accelerate from 0-97 kilometers per hour in just 2-1/2 seconds.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said the company will offer a larger upgraded battery pack for performance versions of its Model S and X vehicles that will extend range, while also allowing for super-fast acceleration.

The new 100-kilowatthour battery pack means the high-end version of the Model S sedan, called the P100D, will be the world’s quickest accelerating car in production, the automaker said.

These are very profound milestones and I think will help convince people around the world that electric is the future.” Elon Musk, CEO of Telsa

The new battery pack is also available for the performance version of the Model X sport utility vehicle.

The Model X is already the quickest SUV ever, Tesla said. But with the 100 kWh battery pack, it said the Model X P100D — as the new performance model is known — will now accelerate from 0 to 97 kph in 2.9 seconds.

The new battery also extends the driving range of the vehicle.

Musk said that means a driver could now travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in temperate weather without recharging.

“These are very profound milestones and I think will help convince people around the world that electric is the future,” said Musk in a conference call with journalists.