USA TODAY International Edition
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MODEL X SUV JOINS THE TESLA FAMILY,
FREMONT, CALIF. Tesla unveiled its long- awaited electric crossover Tuesday night, a gull- winged beauty that it is banking on shaking up the luxury vehicle market.
The Model X was being rolled out by CEO Elon Musk at the Tesla factory here, south of San Francisco. Six of the SUVs were being delivered to owners.
The Model X uses the same electric drivetrain as its hit Model S sedan, allowing similar breathtaking acceleration times and about 250 miles per charge.
It will be billed as the world’s quickest SUV — 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds. But it also has the extra space of a crossover — with a healthy dose of innovation.
The new vehicle tests whether Tesla can compete against the likes of Mercedes- Benz, BMW and Lexus in a new space — crossovers, one of the hottest segments of the automotive market as consumers seek roomier, yet plush, vehicles.
The price will be as breathtaking as its performance: $ 132,000 for the initial “signature” or “founders” version.
Model X pushes the limits of its production system and designers. The company delayed the launch for months trying to perfect the vehicle’s signature feature, its radical upward- opening “falcon doors” for the second row.
They are meant to allow for graceful entries into the rear seats.
More practically, they also won’t bang against the sides of other cars in parking lots. But more than anything, they make a statement that this is no ordinary crossover.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said he wanted to make sure the doors are just right, that they close properly and protect against all the elements.
The vehicle will also stand apart on performance. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.
Besides its novel doors, Tesla is touting other features about the Model X. For instance, it can tow 5,000 pounds. Its electric power gives it a lot of low- end torque, which helps with towing trailers or boats.
It also comes with what Tesla describes as one of the largest windshields ever put on a vehicle. The windshield extends all the way past the top of the driver’s head. Front passengers will get not only a panoramic view of the road but of the trees passing by.
Tesla also promises that it will have many new safety features. With the batteries placed low in the vehicle, they say that it has low susceptibility to roll over. And even with its upward opening doors, officials say it’s designed so that passengers can escape in an emergency.
Tesla has to make sure it can make enough of the new Model X to meet demand.
The company is going to make its Model S sedan and Model X crossover on the same production line. It told investors recently that it intends to choose quality over production quotas.
Tesla plans to make 50,000 to 55,000 vehicles this year in total.
The price will be as breathtaking as its performance: $ 132,000 for the initial “signature” version.