Tesla Announces Model S P100D With 315-Mile Range, Even Faster Ludicrous Mode

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Tesla CEO Elon Musk kept journalists waiting for three hours today before revealing his company’s newest product, which he teased in an earlier tweet.

As many expected, the electric automaker will now offer P100D versions of its Model S and Model X vehicles, with the sedan version becoming the third-fastest accelerating production car in history, and the quickest currently on the market.

The 100 kWh battery pack is only available in top-end models equipped with Ludicrous Mode. They can be ordered right now, with deliveries beginning next month.

Bought new, the battery upgrade adds $9,500 to the cost of a Model S P90D, raising the price to $134,500. An exclusively priced vehicle, but one capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds. That’s three-tenths of a second faster than the previous fastest Model S. The Model X P100D retails for $135,500, will accelerate to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, according to estimates.

Tesla claims that customers waiting for deliveries of a previously ordered P90D can upgrade to a P100D for an extra $10,000. Existing P90D owners can shell out $20,000 for a battery swap. Musk claims the extra cost of the new model and upgrades will help finance Model 3 production.

The battery pack is an entirely new unit, Tesla claims, rather than an existing battery pack where extra capacity can be “unlocked” for a fee.

Besides the added power off the line, both P100D models will go further on a charge. The Model S variant will break the 300-mile mark with an EPA-estimated range of 315 miles, up from 294 miles in the P90D. The Model X sees its maximum range boosted from 250 to 289 miles.

Tesla already added (or reintroduced) 60 kWh base models to the Model S and X lineups earlier this year, broadening the models’ appeal while lowering the entry price. A Model S 60D is now half the cost of a P100D.

[Image: Tesla Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • TrailerTrash TrailerTrash on Aug 24, 2016

    Here is the truth. Tesla will only be a significant car maker when they can produce, not display, a car that has 200 or more range and can be purchased for 25K and less. Until that happens, it is simply nothing to me or the average buyer that actually drives the car business. I cannot see how this company can exist building cars most people cannot have. The business lan doesn't make sense. There would never be enough money and profit in selling only small volumes of cars in every class they make. And I understand many have dropped off cash for the new 3. That number is not real and even if close, they will still not support the company for long term. You talk about Mazda having difficulty playing in a big mfr game, imagine Tesla long term. Unless it can deliver on this kind of vehicle, it will always be a niche player and headline grabbing company. Nothing more than a story grabbing headline or bling for the better off. Until they can deliver on such a car, forgettaboutit. I am totally unimpressed. Nothing to see here except taxpayer money being used in a science project that allows for a huckster to take our money and get rich. They just released a still more expensive car than they already have and folks are amazed? Not less expensive...more Really?

    • Ermel Ermel on Oct 19, 2016

      "I cannot see how this company can exist building cars most people cannot have. The business lan doesn’t make sense. There would never be enough money and profit in selling only small volumes of cars in every class they make." You mean, like Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini etc.? Last I checked, their volume is still somewhat more limited.

  • HotPotato HotPotato on Aug 25, 2016

    "They just released a more expensive car and people are amazed?" Yes. Because it's the fastest new car you can buy, and the best electric vehicle in history. They combine the acceleration of a Bugatti with the benefits of a big BMW sedan and the tailpipe emissions of a Little Tykes Kozy Koupe, and you're not impressed? What would impress you? Free trips to Mars? One weird trick that melts belly fat? FWIW, they also released a LESS expensive car: a new base-trim Model S that costs literally half as much as the new fancy one.

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