The Model S is an awesome looking car and I love it. But it is going up against a pretty awesome car in terms of the BMW 5 Series. The 0-60 times of 5.6 Standard and 4.5 Sport just match the 0-60 times of the 535i and M5 respectively (with the 550i slotting in between at 5.0 seconds). And the price tags are the same.
But when you think about the Model X and what it might be able to achieve against it's competition. There I think that Tesla can really shine much more brighter. They are talking like Model S will outsell Model X but I think it might actually be the other way around.
Consider some of the competition:
Audi Q7 $47K-$60K 0-60 in 7.5 Skidpad 0.80g MPG 17/25
Lexus LX570 $80K 0-60 in 6.8 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 12/18
Lexus GX460 $53K-$58K 0-60 in 7.2 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 15/20
Range Rover $80K-$95K 0-60 in 5.8 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 12/18
Obviously there are other vehicles as well but what they all have in common is (1) they're very heavy (2) they are not that quick-because they're so fat (3) they are high-riding and have poor handling (tons of body roll) (4) they get terrible gas mileage and often require premium fuel.
There are also plenty of minivans on the market that top out at $40K when fully loaded, get slightly better mileage but have worse performance, no 4WD capability, etc.
Now, enter the Model X . . .
It can seat 3-rows with 6-8 people.
It already has a flat floor so we don't have to build up above the drivetrain to eliminate the tunnel
It achieves 4 wheel drive with two motors (see below)
It has a very low center of gravity and it can handle very well
It can have a very low step-in height but still have high ground clearance via the Air-Ride suspension
It is all aluminum and it will weigh only marginally more than the Model S (much less than its competitors)
It burns zero gas!
With two separate motors several things should be possible:
(1) It should be very fast [Elon Musk said to get the Model S below 4.0 seconds in 0-60 they'd need a 2nd motor - well Model X has one]
(2) It should have great 4-wheel drive performance
(3) It should tow a huge amount as well if properly outfitted [consider that every locomotive in this country is powered by an electric motor for the incredible torque]
The Model X might be a greater home run for Tesla than the Model S.
In fact I might switch my Model S reservation to a Model X and buy that for my wife, then wait a few years for the 4WD Super Sport Model S to debut in 2015 or so for my car.
But when you think about the Model X and what it might be able to achieve against it's competition. There I think that Tesla can really shine much more brighter. They are talking like Model S will outsell Model X but I think it might actually be the other way around.
Consider some of the competition:
Audi Q7 $47K-$60K 0-60 in 7.5 Skidpad 0.80g MPG 17/25
Lexus LX570 $80K 0-60 in 6.8 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 12/18
Lexus GX460 $53K-$58K 0-60 in 7.2 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 15/20
Range Rover $80K-$95K 0-60 in 5.8 Skidpad 0.74g MPG 12/18
Obviously there are other vehicles as well but what they all have in common is (1) they're very heavy (2) they are not that quick-because they're so fat (3) they are high-riding and have poor handling (tons of body roll) (4) they get terrible gas mileage and often require premium fuel.
There are also plenty of minivans on the market that top out at $40K when fully loaded, get slightly better mileage but have worse performance, no 4WD capability, etc.
Now, enter the Model X . . .
It can seat 3-rows with 6-8 people.
It already has a flat floor so we don't have to build up above the drivetrain to eliminate the tunnel
It achieves 4 wheel drive with two motors (see below)
It has a very low center of gravity and it can handle very well
It can have a very low step-in height but still have high ground clearance via the Air-Ride suspension
It is all aluminum and it will weigh only marginally more than the Model S (much less than its competitors)
It burns zero gas!
With two separate motors several things should be possible:
(1) It should be very fast [Elon Musk said to get the Model S below 4.0 seconds in 0-60 they'd need a 2nd motor - well Model X has one]
(2) It should have great 4-wheel drive performance
(3) It should tow a huge amount as well if properly outfitted [consider that every locomotive in this country is powered by an electric motor for the incredible torque]
The Model X might be a greater home run for Tesla than the Model S.
In fact I might switch my Model S reservation to a Model X and buy that for my wife, then wait a few years for the 4WD Super Sport Model S to debut in 2015 or so for my car.
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