Tesla’s Model S is certainly a unique product in the luxury-sedan space, but it still competes against like-size four-doors that offer four-wheel drive. With the new D option—which stands for Dual Motor—every Model S gets the option of all-wheel drive. The D system will also be in the upcoming Model X crossover that is promised for sale early next year.

Adding front-wheel traction requires adding an electric motor to the front axle. That motor sends power to the front wheels as needed and in concert with the rear-located motor. In the top-of-the-line P85D version, the Model S retains its 470-hp rear motor and adds a 221-horse front motor. Power goes from today’s 470 horsepower to a staggering 691 combined horsepower and 687 lb-ft of torque. Tesla says the additional traction will enable the P85D to whiz from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds. We rode along and found the acceleration positively shocking, even though we were expecting and ready for it. Top speed rises from a governed 130 mph to an equally governed 155 mph.

On the P85, getting D’d costs $14,600 and includes the Technology package, air suspension, and 21-inch wheels; deliveries of this model will begin in December. The package Tesla’s claimed range at 65 mph is reduced by 10 miles, to 275 miles. The extra motor and equipment add about 290 pounds, for a curb weight of 4936 pounds. Tesla claims that the extra mass is largely offset by being able to spread the power-efficiency curve across the two motors.

The Model S 85 and 60 also get the option of four-wheel drive, but in those models the D version gets a different rear motor. The 85D and 60D both pack front motors and less powerful rear motors each good for 188 horsepower; combined output is then 376 horsepower. Rear-drive versions of the 60 and 85 have 370 horsepower for 2015. Tesla claims the 60D and the 85D will cut 0-to-60 times by 0.2 second, to 5.7 and 5.2. Top speed goes from 120 mph to 125 in the 60, while the 85 now tops out at 155 mph, up from 125. And despite the extra acceleration and a 176-pound weight gain, the dual-motor setup increases range in the 60D and 85D by 10 miles thanks to the aforementioned efficiency gains of the two motors. Selecting D will be a $4000 stand-alone option on the 60 and the 85; customers can expect to receive these cars next February.

Tesla also showed off its new Autopilot equipment, which is now included in the Technology bundle. Already part of the production process for cars built in the past two weeks, the system incorporates a collision-warning system, blind-spot and lane-departure warnings, and dynamic cruise control. Like many competitive systems, Autopilot can control the speed of the car and will even keep it within the lane of traffic. Unlike some other systems, the Model S will be able to read speed-limit signs and adjust the set cruise speed accordingly, and it can also automatically change lanes without driver intervention if you signal with the cruise set. The system is a major step toward total vehicle autonomy, something that CEO Elon Musk now sees happening in the next five to six years.

Full article - HERE

 

0-60 in 3.2s is not bad at all.

 

That is ridiculously fast no doubt about that. But at 5k pounds makes me cringe a little. You know what though those Teslas are cool. Too rich for my blood but its nice that they have actually made a cool sports sedan that isnt all economy.

Aside from the massive price difference the Teslas are so much awesomer(yeah thats a word, lol!) than that crappy Mitsu Miev and the Nissan Leaf. Other car companies really need to follow suit. I am all for economy cars. But what I dont understand is why most manufactures think its a good idea to make they look like a pile a s**t.

 

Looks like a Buick.

 

If Tesla makes the next model have 2 large engines producing 400whp+ vs the current model with the Large engine in rear producing 400+ and Front engine producing 270hp I could see a 10.9 quarter mile time on the horizon...I mean they havent even catered to the racecar guys yet, all models still have full luxeries and no weight savings. Imagine a stripped out "RS" model with the 2 large motors....

 

just can't get behind electric cars.. they tried to take the model s p85+ on the ring and it overheated about 2 minutes in.. travel between i.e., st louis and chicago a lot, forget about it. once they solve the slow charge problem, these cars will be that much more impressive

 

interesting. battery, motors, or both?

 

What Tesla needs right now is to figure out the battery change stations. Other tricks won't do it.

 

after this the electric Evo doesnt seems that crazy idea at all

 

This car is awesomee

 

Electric cars are limited by the Electric Motor winding temperature- they get hot and there is a temperature limit at which they can operate, for sure similar to water temp in cars, somewhere around 100C.
Exceeding safe limits will damage the motor very rapidly: think how quickly the soldering iron wire heated up? The electric heat is near-instant, so temperature control has to be absolute, and early, to avoid overshoot and meltdown.

Similarly, the battery discharge rate, how many amps flow per second from the battery to the inverter, to the electric motor- is physically limited: exceed the rate and the battery ($45000) becomes dead weight.

Thus, Tesla has to limit its car performance to maintain safe motor and better operating temperatures and parameters: which means 2 minutes into Nurburgring, or 1/2 lap of Laguna Seca, and the engine and battery management goes into virtual limp mode to preserve the power train: this by design, not because of actual problem, its to prevent a problem.

Some have managed to do impressive laps on Electric Cars, such as Pikes Peek Mitsubishi Miev, and Mercedes own SLS Electric that can do full lap of Nurburgring at competitive speed, not to mention Audi E-tron that can do same, and of course Dryson Le Mans race-car: Dryson can do full Le Mans lap at competitive speeds (200+mph).

 

Thanks for the info. How are these guys doing it? Active cooling?

 

Did anyone else see that full electric Miata run a 10 second (might have been 9.xx) quarter mile. It was dead silent minus the wind noise and epicly awesome. Idk Im kind of looking forward to some quick electric cars.