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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 built 35,000 cars last year, preps for Model X launch
While Elon Musk keeps his eye on a SpaceX rocket launch this evening, his car company just released its financial data for the last year. Tesla met its goal of building 35,000 cars in 2014, but says some shipments were held back as a result of launching the shockingly-fast AWD P85D Model S. Beyond the numbers, the company is raising its goal for next year to 55,000 vehicles, including the Model X SUV it says is still on track to arrive in Q3. There are about 30 Model X vehicles in testing now, while Release Candidates are slated for March. The only bad news? Its $1.1 billion in revenue for the quarter was lower than analysts expected, and operating expenses doubled from the same period last year. The company's earnings call is scheduled to take place at 7:30PM ET, and if there's any news from that we will let you know. Update: On the call, Musk mentioned that Tesla's battery for homes and businesses will launch in the next month or two.
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 Model S P85D's 'Insane Mode' lives up to its name
Apparently some people haven't heard that Tesla's dual-motor, all-wheel-drive P85D upgrade to its Model S turns the car into a performance monster. An aptly named "Insane Mode" turns up the power so owners can experience the promised 0 - 60mph in 3.2 seconds (in the regular Sport mode it takes about 4 seconds), and of course a few have been showing it off for their friends. Brooks Weisblat aka DragTimes on YouTube has been having fun with his AWD Tesla ever since it arrived, and a new compilation video showing often-profane passenger reactions has gone viral. Of course, if you've seen one "acceleration reaction" video then you've just about seen them all, however unlike a Bugatti Veyron or Launch Control'd Nissan this is powered by nothing but electricity and Elon Musk's ego. Nothing compares to experiencing an electric motor's "instant acceleration" for yourself, but if the closest you've been to a P85D (or a Tesla period) is our ride-along video than watching Grandma's reaction can at least give you an idea of how it feels.
Tesla shows just how far your Model S will go on a charge
So you're fortunate enough to be shopping for a Tesla Model S, but you're anxious about just how far the electric sedan's variants will go on a full battery. How do you know you won't be stranded on the roadside because you bought the wrong edition? The automaker clearly wants to put that range anxiety to rest. It just posted a detailed look at the driving range you're likely to get from the Model S based on a slew of factors, including the equipment you use and how you drive. There's a range estimator, too, if you want to see how each of those factors comes into play.
Riding shotgun in Tesla's fastest car ever
Tesla's "D" unveiling had a little early reveal thanks to USA Today but now we've had a chance to see it for ourselves. As rumored, Tesla is rolling out new all-wheel-drive-equipped versions of its Model S (check out our review of the original here). The top-of-the-line, dual-motor-equipped P85D has a measured 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, which should put it among the fastest sedans ever when it starts shipping in December. According to Elon Musk, the system is a "huge improvement" that actually adds efficiency over a single motor -- about 10 miles in range per charge. That's apparently because there's no shaft between the front and rear axles, and the motors constantly adjust output so well that the car overcomes the weight of the second engine. Update: Musk revealed the truth about D's dual-motor setup, and then we rode along in the P85D. Check out the video and details after the break!
Elon Musk hints at tomorrow's Tesla D reveal (update: new Model S with supercar speed?)
Need a few more breadcrumbs to follow until Elon Musk "unveils the D" (and something else) tomorrow? During an interview tonight at Vanity Fair's New Establishment Summit, Tesla's CEO told Walter Isaacson a few juicy tidbits about his news, without really revealing anything -- other than what we've already seen. According to Musk "One of the things is already there, and people just don't realize it." Also, some of the internet's guesses (dual engine? autonomous driving? AWD?) are apparently on track, as he said people are "directionally correct," but that they don't "appreciate the magnitude." You can watch a clip of of the interview embedded after the break and leave your own theories in the comments, we'll be reporting live from the unveiling in LA tomorrow night to find out the truth. Update: Need a little more fuel for the rumor mill? Electrek is claiming that tomorrow we'll see a dual-motor equipped Tesla Model S P85D that might be capable of 0 - 60 MPH in under three seconds, acceleration that puts it in the range of Bugatti, Ferrari and the like. Magnitude, indeed. Update 2 (10 / 9): Our own Nicole Lee (@Nicole) is on site for Tesla's event tonight. From what we hear, the doors will open at 10PM ET, with the unveiling set for an hour or so afterwards. We will not be liveblogging the event, but we will post any updates, both here and on our Twitter account @Engadget. Update 3: The details are out -- check out what we know about Tesla's new AWD and (almost, kinda) self-driving cars here. [Image credit: Getty Images for Vanity Fair]
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]
