Tesla unveils its new beast
Tesla Motors Inc., one of the most respected and sought after names in the field of electric vehicles, is hogging the limelight once again for its recent release. Tesla’s model ‘D’ which had garnered a fair bit of anticipation from various quarters over the last few months is finally out. And if one were to go by Elon Musk’s (CEO, Tesla Motors Inc.) words, then this mythical car might just be the next big thing pertaining to this category of vehicles. The company has long been overdue to make a few announcements regarding its upcoming models and model ‘D’ tops the list. Elon Musk went on to say, “this car is nuts. It’s like taking off from a carrier deck. It’s just bananas.” What is it about this machine which has led to people raving about it so much?
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Let us begin with the obscure name which it carries. ‘D’ stands for dual-motors, one powering the front set of wheels and the other mastering the rear ones, making it an all-wheel drive. This comes as a pleasant surprise when compared to its predecessor, model S which comes with a rear wheel option. The dual motor system gives it the ability to notch up some stunning speed figures. A “personal roller coaster” as it has been fondly referred to by the company’s CEO; its engine does pack a punch. Exteriors of the car are strikingly similar to the existing Model S but the engine is way more powerful. The acceleration this power house produces is intense, as it can clock the 100kmph mark from absolute standstill conditions in a mere 3.2seconds. With a maximum speed of 250kmph, this is by far the fastest model to come out from Tesla’s shed. It is significantly faster than any of its previous models; 40kmph to be precise. Looking at its acceleration abilities in a more refined yet relative manner; this car is one of the fastest sedans to have ever been manufactured. It goes past a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, which is a phenomenal achievement.
A car like this is bound to come loaded with safety features but engineers at Tesla seem to have gone a shade higher than that. Model D comes fitted with radar which can guide the vehicle through snow, sand and fog, a full 360degree sonar system and an image recognition camera which eyes traffic signals, lights and pedestrians. An intelligent vehicle that it is, it features a smart system that gathers information relayed from 12 sensors with navigation, GPS and traffic systems, all in real time. This equips the car with an intuitive brain to tackle any sort of threat posed to the safety of the passengers. All of this is put together in place by the Autopilot feature of the car. This should soon be incorporated in the existing model S too. Although the installation of this system will prevent accidents, increase visibility and enable it with automatic car parking ability, it does not turn it into an autonomous vehicle. To enhance the drivability and safety of the car the vehicle will automatically begin to steer itself when the driver initiates a turn signal. It is also capable of bringing the vehicle back to its lane if it starts to drift away. All this is made possible, courtesy Autopilot feature of this blistering piece of artistry.
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This model also provides a better battery life to the vehicle when compared to the older models produced by Tesla. The car is capable of running an extra 10kms for every single charge. This is a major boost to its charge’s longevity owing to the four-wheel drive setup.
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This piece of sheer class and magnificence will be up for grabs starting this December. The high end model namely, P85D will bring down your account figures by $120,000. Other models such as 60D (60kWh) and 80D (80kWh) will cost around $75,070 and $85,070 respectively. These models will be put up for sale the following year post January.
With a myriad of features and safety systems, this car is all set to put the electric vehicles market on fire. As was expected of Tesla with this model, this should also pave the way for driverless cars in the coming future. If the vehicle matches up to the level of expectations, then Tesla might well be on its way to producing the most successful and impacting vehicle in its history which at the present moment seems all geared up to burn the tarmac. Come December, this mean bit of human brilliance shall be out all guns blazing.
Pictures courtesy- valuewalk.com, ibtimes.co.uk
