Elon Musk kicked off the Tesla event in Los Angeles Thursday by unveiling new features for the Model S electric sedan called the D.
The D stands for dual motor he said, adding that the car has higher speeds, more power and higher efficiency.
"This car is nuts. It's like your own personal roller coaster," the billionaire CEO of the electric car maker said at Hawthorne Airport.
The car can get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and you can shift front wheel to back wheel in a nanosecond.
Musk: new car operates in 3 modes - luxury, sport and "insane."— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
Just experience 1G
acceleration in new Tesla Model S P85D. 0-60 in 3.2 sec.—
Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer)
href="https://twitter.com/AndyFixmer/status/520435244038512640">October
10, 2014
As for the pricing, the Model S is now available in six basic variants. The single-motor versions are designated 60, 85 and P85 (P stands for performance), while the dual-motor variants are called 60D, 85D and P85D. The new versions cost $89,570, $97,570 and $120,170, respectively.
All the models have a December delivery date, except the 60D and 85D, which are slated to start arriving at customers' doors in February 2015.
Other details include:
Its autopilot can be adjusted based on how aggressive you want to drive. You can over-power the car, but it will warn you before you do anything dangerous
New photo and radar system can recognize lights, stop signs and pedestrians
Radar works through fog, rain, snow and sand. It works from 5 miles per hour to 150 miles per hour
Self parks--you can arrive at home and step out and the car will park itself
On private property, car can meet you when ready to leave. It connects to your digital calendar so it knows when it's needed
New display shows cars around you
Musk: not at point where you can fall asleep en route. But pretty close.— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
Musk signed off by encouraging guests to test drive cars.
At Tesla event, there's a booth for "Test Drive Check-In" Benefits of holding event on an airport runway.— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
Much of Musk's announcement was deflated by USA Today, which broke embargoed details about the new model hours before the event started.
The all-wheel drive versions of the new Model S called the D is set to have a maximum driving range of 275 miles, 10 miles more than their rear-drive vehicles, USA Today said, before the event began.
Musk: "Ha. Robots." Tony Stark is channeling Elon Musk. pic.twitter.com/MVn6o8yUDM— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
Another shot of Tesla's new Model S at unveiling event. pic.twitter.com/dpzp5yvOVQ— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
Tesla is giving the Model S the fresh features ahead of releasing a new crossover SUV called the Model X in the first quarter of 2015. Musk told the magazine Car and Driver in February to expect an all-wheel drive version of the Model S by the end of the year. All-wheel drive may help spur sales in U.S. states with snow or rainy weather, as well as northern European countries.
All-wheel drive and many of the additional safety features are already offered by most of Tesla's competitors.
"This is Tesla catching up with the industry on auto-driving features," said John Krafcik, president of TrueCar, an automotive pricing and information website.
"There will perhaps be an incremental feature or two," said Krafcik, who was previously Chief Executive Officer and President of Hyundai Motor America. "It would be a bit of a yawn if they only announce integrating all the features everyone else already has. Either way, small or large, this will be perceived as a big step forward for Tesla."
Lighting At Tesla event pic.twitter.com/2bC8Sy6Eus— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
The line to get in the event was long--hundreds of people deep-- with cars wrapped around the corner to park.
Long line to enter tonight's Tesla event pic.twitter.com/faLi536xVg— Andy Fixmer (@AndyFixmer) October 10, 2014
UPDATE, Oct. 9, 2014 8:20 p.m. PT: Additional information from Elon Musk's announcement.
UPDATE, Oct. 9, 2014 8:40 p.m. PT: More details about the D.
UPDATE, Oct. 9, 2014 11:29 p.m. PT: Even more details about the D, including the price.