Just last night, Elon Musk introduced the new Model D to the world which is basically the Tesla Model S but with some tweaks. The new D is basically the Model S electric sedan but with All-Wheel-Drive and Autopilot control. What the D stands for, is dual motors. This means that there is a motor for the front wheels as well as a motor for the rear wheels.
The new car is called the Model S P85D (top of the spec version) featuring dual motors and can accomplish 0-100kmh in just slightly over 3 seconds. Participants who were there for the launch experienced it first hand. I guess it makes sense to actually hold a car launch at an airport where the runway can be fully optimised to blow the minds of journalists who were there.
Just experience 1G acceleration in new Tesla Model S P85D. 0-60 in 3.2 sec.
— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
60D & 85D: all wheel traction, optimized for efficiency. P85D: the fastest accelerating production 4-door car ever. pic.twitter.com/zCt5UeVLIC — Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) October 10, 2014
The new model will also have an autopilot mode, a new photo and radar system which can recognise lights, stop signs and pedestrians, self parking and many more! Autopilot means that it has adaptive cruise control and able to stop the car whenever it senses imminent danger of crashing. It also reads speed limits and keeps the car at that speed. Some folks were expecting for the car to be fully autonomous but this is as close as it gets.
Every new Model S is Autopilot enabled. pic.twitter.com/KH9Mx7GF21
— Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) October 10, 2014
Battery life has also been improved allowing the new models to travel further compared to the previous models.
Overall with the inclusion of the new models, the Model S is available in six basic variants. The single-motor versions are given the 60, 85 and P85, and the new D models are called 60D, 85D and P85D. Delivery of these vehicles start in December and followed by next year.
