Tesla really sandbagging performance of AWD

[Swampgator]

In order to increase sales of the performance model, it seems Tesla is really underselling the AWD performance numbers.

LR RWD car has 335 whp, weighs 3838 pounds, and does 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds.
If the AWD induction motor adds 150 pounds and has at least 130 whp, we are looking at a 4 second flat car. They may use software to limit that speed, but they will surely unlock that once they are cash flow positive later this year. Then they will simply proceed to crush the competition. The AWD is a looking to be a really impressive car in it's own right.

 

[JeffK]

I'm still hoping they are sandbagging the numbers on the performance model.

 

[DanCar]

Yes, this follows Tesla's usual mode of operation of improving performance with OTA updates. Perhaps a major reason that Tesla has high customer satisfaction. Set low expectations and then exceed them.

 

[ebmcs03]

Hope they’re sandbagging and releasing the potential on the LR model too lol

 

[commasign]

Its a good strategy and allows Tesla to "one up" the competitors later on or increase demand/orders if needed.

Lots of companies do similar (though with no possibility of future uncorking). E.g. Honda uses the same engines across their entire lineup with different optimizations for performance vs efficiency.

 

[voip-ninja]

In order to increase sales of the performance model, it seems Tesla is really underselling the AWD performance numbers.

LR RWD car has 335 whp, weighs 3838 pounds, and does 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds.
If the AWD induction motor adds 150 pounds and has at least 130 whp, we are looking at a 4 second flat car. They may use software to limit that speed, but they will surely unlock that once they are cash flow positive later this year. Then they will simply proceed to crush the competition. The AWD is a looking to be a really impressive car in it's own right.

Tesla may or may not uncork both of these at later times but they certainly won't ever let the AWD car approach the performance of the P model. If the original delta in 0-60 times is 1 second flat then I would anticipate that will remain the case after any future improvements.

 

[Swampgator]

I agree. The P model likely is capable of 3 seconds flat. Doubt they will go any lower but you never know once they do some refreshing on the Model S.

 

[R.S]

In order to increase sales of the performance model, it seems Tesla is really underselling the AWD performance numbers.

LR RWD car has 335 whp, weighs 3838 pounds, and does 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds.
If the AWD induction motor adds 150 pounds and has at least 130 whp, we are looking at a 4 second flat car. They may use software to limit that speed, but they will surely unlock that once they are cash flow positive later this year. Then they will simply proceed to crush the competition. The AWD is a looking to be a really impressive car in it's own right.

The AWD and the performance car have the same motor and inverter as far as I know at least. Sure the performance versions get the ones with the lowest winding resistance, but I don't think Tesla has massive tolerances here to play with.

So the AWD is a 3.5s car, that has been limited to less. There might be more differences, maybe they aren't totally the same. So the performance of the AWD is whatever Tesla needs it to be. And I don't think that in truth it will be 3.5 vs 4s. Because people will notice.

 

[Krazaak]

Keep in mind, that the motor power output is only part of the equation. The peak battery output, the current limit of the high voltage wiring and fuses, and the heat dissipation of the cooling system all become potential limiting factors once you've added a second motor. It remains to be seen if Tesla will roll the same internals off the line in the LR_D as they do in the P_LR_D.

There's little doubt the software limits will be well below what the hardware in either trim is capable of.

 

[Daniel in SD]

I wonder if they'll eventually put a smaller rear motor in the AWD to save money. The S and X have smaller rear motors on the AWD versions (Though they no longer make the RWD versions).

 

[jddssc121]

Set low expectations and then exceed them.

I just spit out my coffee

 

[Funkmobile]

I agree. The P model likely is capable of 3 seconds flat. Doubt they will go any lower but you never know once they do some refreshing on the Model S.

Actually it's capable of 2.8 fully unlocked.

 

[Daniel in SD]

Actually it's capable of 2.8 fully unlocked.

How do figure?

 

[kengchang]

Gonna end up like the HUD

 

[m3snowy]

Someone has done the hard work, work in progress:

Tesla Model 3 Battery Has Power To Spare – Ludicrous Mode Anyone?
Tesla Model 3 Battery Has Power To Spare - Ludicrous Mode Anyone?

 

[Funkmobile]

How do figure?

Don't want to get into to many details, but I chatted with someone who is well versed with the car. Fully unlocked, the car can do 2.8 0-60 but it won't necessarily be good for the drivetrain. However, seeing the final consumer version do 2.8 is highly unlikely. The main point is that there's plenty of potential with the new dual motor setup. Whether they chose to fully utilize to the max potential is a different question.

 

[e-FTW]

In order to increase sales of the performance model, it seems Tesla is really underselling the AWD performance numbers.

LR RWD car has 335 whp, weighs 3838 pounds, and does 0-60 in about 4.7 seconds.
If the AWD induction motor adds 150 pounds and has at least 130 whp, we are looking at a 4 second flat car. They may use software to limit that speed, but they will surely unlock that once they are cash flow positive later this year. Then they will simply proceed to crush the competition. The AWD is a looking to be a really impressive car in it's own right.

Don't we already know the power rating of the induction motor going in the front? Is it the same as the S?

 

[Swampgator]

Don't we already know the power rating of the induction motor going in the front? Is it the same as the S?

I wish we did but there has been no information leaked. I think it will be smaller than the Model S front motor. And much lighter.

 

[e-FTW]

I wish we did but there has been no information leaked. I think it will be smaller than the Model S front motor. And much lighter.

A completely new motor sounds like a lot of work. I was making the assumption that it was going to be the existing Model S front motor, it being induction and all.

 

[brkaus]

Don't want to get into to many details, but I chatted with someone who is well versed with the car. Fully unlocked, the car can do 2.8 0-60 but it won't necessarily be good for the drivetrain. However, seeing the final consumer version do 2.8 is highly unlikely. The main point is that there's plenty of potential with the new dual motor setup. Whether they chose to fully utilize to the max potential is a different question.

I’m not sure what it can ultimately do, but agree pushing it will likely case other drivetrain issues. There is always a weak link and that doesn’t mean Tesla is “holding back”. Many ICE (gas & diesel) cars on the market can be reprogrammed to go faster. Some self destruct.