Sunday 28th August 2016

Tesla announces P100D upgrades

Now the third fastest accelerating production car

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It wasn't that long ago that Tesla announced 'Ludicrous mode' for the Model S, pushing it to 60mph in 2.8 seconds. Now, Tesla has announced the P100D upgrade for both the Model S and X. The 0-60mph times drop to 2.5 seconds for the Model S and 2.9 for the Model X, putting the Model S on par with the Porsche 918 Spyder.

2.9 seconds to 60mph. 2.9 seconds!

The new 100 kWh battery increases range to 315 miles and 289 miles for the Model S and X respectively, making it the longest range production electric car. In the US prices start at $134,500 (UK prices are still to be announced) with access, of course, to the Supercharger network and free over the air updates.

Tesla has been marred with bad publicity recently, with multiple crashes and the death of a driver using the autonomous technology 'Autopilot'. Tesla is keen to explain why the P100D is so expensive too: "While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development. Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development."

If you have recently put in an order for a P90D Model S or X, Tesla are offering the upgrade to the larger 100 kWh batteries for a $10,000 premium; current owners will need to fork out $20,000 as the 90 kWh batteries will be recycled.

In Elon Musk's 'master plan part two', Tesla will focus on solar components for vehicles as well as a shared fleet offering. This hasn't stopped the company from posting losses of over £200m in the second quarter of 2016 though and, since the announcement last night, Tesla shares stalled in the opening hours of trading. What next?

[Sources: City AM, Tesla]

[big_rob_sydney]

Interesting news, if true, is that a doubling of power density is on its way, thanks to the mad scientists at MIT.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-p...

[big_rob_sydney]

If Musk sees a disruptive aspect to battery tech, he'll acquire it. Failing that, he'll "rent" it from whoever outbids him. One way or another, he'll push things along.

Also, his factory can be reconfigured to push his product, either n or n-1 if the tech moves, into other solutions, eg solar homes with battery support.

His targets arent just the car industry, but also the energy industry. THAT is a market with high barriers to entry, and massive infrastructure, and very little in the way of new entrants.

And finally, if other manufacturers use his own batteries, then he also wins.

Any which way you look at it, he has options.