ELECTRO X
WHEN one hears of the safest SUV what comes to mind are Volvo range, quickest SUVs: the AMGs, M’s, Macans. Now there is the Urus too.
But there is also the mysterious Tesla X. Tesla is the all-electric car company founded by the ambitious Elon Musk. Tesla has dived into the growing market as it is the future of the automobile, one way or another.
Tesla first produced the Model S which is the range’s flagship model. The concept was tested in 2012 and went into production in 2015 after numerous delays and a long waiting list.
The S can be seen on the internet taking down internal combustion engine. It ridiculously out accelerates and muscle sports cars.
The model X is a - seater SUV based on the X. The model S is a full size sedan, so it is pretty a large SUV. Is it really an SUV though? One reviewer rather comically said it looks like a minivan. Being a large SUV, it has a third row where the extra two sit. This can be folded down flat to create extra room. It boasts huge space for a coupe like sculpture, even with the rear seats folded. There is packing space even in the front boot. The seven occupants sit in luxury in a technical yacht which is roomy and airy.
The X is the safest production SUV. It aced all the test categories it underwent with a 5-star rating. The first kind of results for any car. The only close competitor is the Model S.
In the event of an accident it has the lowest probability of injury of occupants. The chances of it rolling over are even half of any other SUV. Additional safety features include automatic emergency braking, auto pilot, lane departure warning and side collision warning. It has a unique feature that adds to its antiseptic appearance. It has a medical/military grade bioweapon defence mode that cleans air from outside against bacteria and other harmful pollutants. This gives the passengers clean fresh air; almost like a scene from those futuristic movies.
It must be added that the design is quite stellar. It adds to the safety and aerodynamic purpose. It isn’t like the odd design or other electric cars or hybrids offered. I have never quite gotten the need to have a strange design for electric/hybrid cars that is really not with current or near future design trends.
Topping the design are falcon rear doors that can open up anywhere even the tightest or restricted spaces. These are more flexible unlike traditional fixed gull wings and you get to avoid scratching your paint or scratching other cars’ paint.
Another killer feature is the panoramic windscreen. Not panoramic sunroof but windscreen. It goes way up to nearly half the car and lets in generous light.
Being electric, the X is by no means a slouch. It has astonishing delivery of power. The torque is Instant, no performance curve. Just Instant power from flooring the gas (ok, right pedal) and super quick acceleration. No engine noise, so mysterious, the only noise is the road noise (tyre) noise AWD. In the higher performance P100D has a ludicrous mode that moves it to 100Km/h in 3 seconds dead. There is no transmission so no gear selection required. Just a single gear throughout the drive. And the drive is pretty decent. It can hold charge up to 540 km before recharging.
Tesla of course had to have autopilot albeit being optional. For the future Tesla series, this is a complementary addition. This system is reportedly efficient and one can let the car drive itself on highways. It has been developed over time and fully functioning. It is assisted by a host of sensors and radar to read the surrounding environment and respond accordingly. All these systems are controlled on the overly large screen on the centre console, everything is controlled here.
The future is here and it comes at a cost. The model X retails for over $70, 000 in the Unitesd States. It might be the most exhilarating driving experience one might have but it is the future and one way or another it will eventually (or other electric) cars find its way on our shores.