brianstorms
Member
My earlier prediction was they'd come out first with the super car (the P85++, so to speak), AWD, and VERY very pricey (I'll put a guess out there of around $200k). That won't siphon off any X sales, will garner huge publicity for Tesla - and then expect to see the regular version launched around the same time as the Model X, near the end of the year.
I would not only be surprised if they did a supercar P85++, but frankly disappointed. Tesla had its day in the sun with a 1%er car, it was called the Roadster. More and more people I talk to are now familiar with the Tesla brand, but they remain grumpy because they view it as a rich person's car, and they tell me, they won't take Tesla seriously until the Gen III, which is so far away beyond the time horizon, they don't believe Tesla is an affordable brand.
To come out with an even higher-end Model S in 2014 would only confirm the impression many people have that Tesla is like Porsche or Maserati or Ferrari: a premium performance brand.
The Model X, which I suspect will be priced starting in the low 80s for the base model, is a necessary step for Tesla, don't get me wrong, but doesn't win over any of the millions of folks who are staying away until Gen III if and when it ever comes.