After years of waiting, Tesla's successor to the Model S sedan is coming.
Tesla Motors sent out invitations to the press for the launch of the Model X SUV Monday morning. The launch date is September 29, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously announced would be the day the Model X is first handed over to its buyers.
The launch will be taking place at Tesla's Fremont, Calif. factory, just a few miles away from its Palo Alto headquarters.
First production cars will be handed over on Sept 29 at our Fremont factory— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2015
While we haven't seen the final production Model X in the flesh just yet, online configurator screenshots give us a pretty good idea of what to expect.
The first models that will roll off the line are the Model X Signature Series, a limited-run version available to customers who placed an early pre-order that comes with nearly every option you can get. Prices for the signature series are $132,000-$143,750, but Musk said the Model X will cost $5,000 more than an equivalent Model S. Expect the cost of the Model X to start at $80,000 before incentives in that case.
The Model X was first announced in February 2012, with pre-orders beginning shortly thereafter, so this car's launch has been hotly anticipated, to say the least.
It's expected to broaden Tesla's appeal worldwide, reflecting the massive popularity of the luxury crossover/SUV segment currently. Tesla hopes the Model X will prove to be more popular with women, than the typically male-bought Model S.
This will be an important car for the still-young Tesla. The biggest question that remains is if the company will be able to scale up to meet demand. It has nearly three years' worth of pre-ordered cars to build before it can start winning over new customers with this new model.