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New electric GT racing series to feature Tesla's Model S
As soon as next year, Formula E will have some company. The Electric GT World Series was announced this week, aiming to field 10 teams for its first season in 2017. What's more, the new series will be the first all-electric GT racing series. The plan is for those 10 teams to put 20 cars on the track at seven different races during the first year. In true GT (Gran Tourer) form, the series will use production cars that are available for consumer road use. Series officials say there's only one current vehicle that fits the bill: the Tesla Model S.
Tesla quietly drops the Model S 85 series in the UK
Most Brits can't afford to buy a Tesla, but for those that can deciding which particular model to go with is now a little easier. The electric car company has quietly slimmed down its Model S range in the UK, pulling the all-wheel drive 85D, the performance-enhanced P85D and the rear-wheel drive 90. Now, drivers on the island are limited to four different configurations -- the rear-wheel drive 70, the all-wheel drive 70D and 90D, and the top-tier P90D. There's also the optional "Ludicrous Speed" upgrade that pushes the P90D's 0-60mph time down to 2.8 seconds.
Tesla Model S is getting even quicker through a software update
If you didn't think that Tesla's Model S P85D was bonkers enough, you're in for a treat. Elon Musk has revealed that the already speedy electric sedan is getting a software update that will improve its 0-60MPH acceleration time by a tenth of a second, to 3.1 seconds. That may not sound like much, but that makes the Model S as quick off the mark as McLaren's MP4-12C supercar. The 'regular' P85 will also get a boost, Musk says, although it won't be "quite as much." No, this won't be news to aftermarket tuners used to wringing out more performance through code, but it's fun to think that a factory firmware upgrade could be the key to winning a drag race. [Image credit: Free Photos, Flickr]
Tesla's upcoming 'D' looks like a souped-up Model S sedan
Elon Musk left a lot of people wondering what, exactly, Tesla's upcoming "D" will be. Is it a brand new car? A self-driving vehicle? As it turns out, it may be something much more familiar-looking. Tesla Motors Club forum member Adelman has posted a photo of what looks like an unannounced Model S P85D -- that is, another high-end variant of Tesla's current luxury EV. It's not clear just what that suffix would mean, although most of the speculation points to an all-wheel drive, dual-motor upgrade borrowed from the soon-to-arrive Model X SUV. That could make the Model S quicker (or at least, better-suited to tough road conditions) than the already speedy P85 trim level you see on the road today. Whatever's under the hood, you'll likely know the full story in about a week. [Thanks, Weaponzero]
