Friday 10th October 2014

Tesla launches 691hp Model S P85D

Latest EV supersaloon hits 60mph as fast as a McLaren F1 with new dual-motor tech and 4WD

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An all-electric saloon that can match a McLaren F1 to 60mph for less than £100K has been announced by Tesla. Elon Musk revealed the new Model S P85D at an event in the USA. 'D' stands for 'Dual Motor' and signifies that there's an extra electric motor in the front, driving the front wheels, in addition to the rear motor.

P85+ was hardly slow for most!

The new front engine adds 221hp to the 470hp rear motor, making a total of 691hp. The P85D's peak torque figure is equally devastating - no less than 687lb ft, split 244lb ft front, 443lb ft rear.

Tesla is claiming a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds for the P85D - succeeding in its target of equalling the McLaren F1 in the 0-60 dash. It's also a full second faster than the P85+, which it now replaces. The instantaneous availability of torque means the P85D can pull acceleration of 1g from standstill, says Tesla.

The top speed is also significantly better at 155mph, up from 130mph for the P85. And although overall weight is up by 132kg to a whopping 2,239kg, that weight is perfectly distributed 50/50 front/rear. The car's overall range suffers slightly, dropping to 275 miles from the current 285 miles.

Range only slightly affected by added performance

Four by phwoar
Just as significant as the power boost is the news that all four wheels are driven, using a set-up claimed to be a world first. Onboard computers can switch the torque between the front and rear axles, and between the left and right wheels, in milliseconds. As much as 100 per cent of the torque can go to either axle (and obviously as little as zero), depending on grip levels. The loss of boot space up front is described as "minimal."

Four-wheel drive versions of the 60 and regular 85 Model S versions will also be available, offering increased performance and range over their rear-drive counterparts (which remain on sale). Both the 60D and 85D feature smaller electric motors than the P85D front and rear. With 188hp each they make a total of 376hp and torque of 362lb ft.

The new 60D does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds (versus 5.9 in the RWD 60), has a slightly higher top speed of 125mph and a range of 225 miles at a constant 65mph (up from 215 miles). The 85D, meanwhile, sprints to 60mph in 5.2 seconds (compared to 5.4), maxes out some 30mph higher at 155mph and has a range of 295 miles (10 miles more than the 2WD Model S 85).

D replaces P85+; other 4WD models added too

How much and when?
You can place your order for the P85D in the UK today. The new model immediately supplants the existing P85+, with existing orders of the P85+ being honoured (although owners will be offered the chance to upgrade to P85D spec if they wish).

Official prices haven't been released for the UK yet. However, in the USA, the premium over the existing P85+ is $14,000 (£8,700), making the likely entry price for a P85D in the UK around the £93,000 mark. The price premium for Dual Motor versions of the 60 and 85 is $4,000 (£2,500). Deliveries will start in North America in December 2014, with UK right-hand drive examples following in spring 2015.

And in other Tesla news...
In the last two weeks, Tesla has been fitting every new car coming out of the factory with 'Autopilot' hardware - including a long-range camera, ultrasonic sensors and GPS - which opens up the prospect of self-driving features for the Model S.

While completely autonomous driving isn't in the plan (yet), currently there's software for speed limit recognition and lane assist. A self-parking function, where you get out of the car and let it park itself in your garage, is a feature that will be added soon.

Tesla has also revealed it's on target to exceed 35,000 sales of the Model S in 2014, with factory capacity now upped to 1,000 per week. And its SUV, the Model X (due in spring 2015), is set to use the same Dual Motor technology as the Model S.

[GGX]

Not sure ranges that you give in the article are correct.

If you look on Tesla's US website, seems that range on 80 has improved from 265 miles to 295 miles on 80D.

On P85 range has also improved by 10 miles to 275 miles on P85D from 265 miles.

Seems a win/win with improved performance and better range. Just the small matter of cost to consider...

[GGX]

thelawnet said:

It's nice, though of course the real CO2/km is actually about the same as a BMW X5 4.4l v8 petrol, given the UK's 459 g CO2/kWh mix http://www.ukenergywatch.org/Electricity/Realtime And higher than pretty much any diesel vehicle on the market.

But yeah rich people can buy these to drive round a track I guess. Although I don't think the lap times will reflect the headline 0-60 figure.

But the CO2 number you give above is effectively a wheel to well calculation, taking into account the CO2 output from producing the electricity.

If you are going to compare the Tesla to ICE, you need to take into consideration the CO2 produced in extracting the oil, followed by refining and distribution, do you not?

[GGX]

sisu said:

But the reason Tesla have been so successful in the US is that they have supercharging stations, you never pay for the fuel and the charging stations that they have in the UK are from renewable sourced which sort of pisses on your argument.

This isn't strictly true. The reason the Model S has been successful in the US is because it is an attractive product. If you look at the data which Tesla publish, over 275mn miles have been covered by their cars but only around 15mn miles of range has been provided by superchargers. Hence, a relatively small % of people are taking advantage of the free energy offer / using superchargers.

I guess this makes sense. Would you really want to have to go and waste time on a forecourt if you could simply plug your vehicle in at home every evening?