Tesla SUV now from $US80K
New entry-level Tesla Model X 70D launched in US, but there'll be a long waitTesla Motors has announced a new entry-level version of its first SUV, the Model X, priced from $US80,000 in North America (where incentives like a $US7500 federal tax credit are available) or about $110,000 Australian dollars.
That would make the Model X 70D about the same price as the Model S sedan in Australia, where pricing starts at $106,500 plus on-road costs for the base Model S 70 RWD ($121,638 drive-away).
Tesla had always said the Model X would be priced in line with the Model S, but before now only two versions of the SUV – 90D and P90D – had been announced, with a base North American price of $US132,000 ($A187,000) for the launch-special Signature Edition, leading some Australian media outlets to suggest the Model X would cost more than $200,000 in Australia.
The bad news is there will be a long wait. Tesla began production of the Model X in September, but won't begin US deliveries until early 2016, starting with high-profit P90D vehicles (from $US116,700) to customers who ordered their cars years ago. Tesla says the 90D (from $US96,700) won’t be delivered in the US until the middle of 2016, and that new orders of the base 70D will take about a year to deliver.
Tesla Australia is taking orders for the Model X with a refundable $6000 deposit, but first Australian Model X deliveries to customers who have pre-ordered will not begin until the third quarter of next year. If the Model X 70D is made available here, deliveries are unlikely until 2017.
The same year should see Tesla start production of its model, the mid-size Model 3 sedan, which will be revealed in March and priced from around $US35,000 (about $A50,000).
The 70D brings the number of Model X variants now available to three, including the 90D and P90D. That reflects the Model S sedan range, except all SUVs come standard with Tesla's dual-motor all-wheel drive system.
The Model X 70D is powered by a floor-mounted 70kWh battery that comes with an EPA-estimated 220 miles of driving range (350km), a top speed of 140mph (225km/h) and a 0-60mph (97km/h) time of six seconds.
The 90D adds a larger 90kWh battery pack to deliver 257 miles of range (400km), a 155mph (250km/h) top speed and a 4.8-second 0-60mph sprint.
Fitted with two electric motors – 193kW up front and 375kW at the rear, for a combined power output of 568kW -- the P90D performance flagship packs the same 90kWh battery pack but can hit 60mph in a claimed 3.8 seconds or an astonishing 3.2 seconds in Ludicrous mode, which costs $14,300 extra for the Model S in Australia. The downside is reduced range, of 250 miles (185km).
Both 90D models come standard with Smart Air Suspension, which costs $US2500 extra for the 70D ($3600 for the Model S in Australia), and the standard Model X interior configuration is six seats, with a seven-seat option available for $US4500.
Other options include Tesla's Autopilot function ($US2500), a $US4500 premium package, $US2500 premium sound system, $US1000 sub-zero weather package and a 2270kg tow pack ($US750.
Tesla says its three-row ‘Falcon Wing’ doored vehicle is the safest and most aerodynamic SUV ever. It comes with autonomous emergency braking and side collision avoidance systems, plus a 0.24Cd drag coefficient.
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