Throughout its breakthrough in the automotive world, Tesla
Motors wants to prove that electric cars can enter any category. In the
category of sports car, Tesla has the Tesla Roadster, in the sedan category,
Tesla has the Tesla Model S which is truly revolutionary in every aspect, and
apparently it doesn't stop there, this automotive manufacturer also releases an
electric car for the SUV category, it's named Tesla Model X.
This is actually not the first time the Tesla Model X comes
for the public, the Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, first showed off the prototype in
2012, and promised to release it in 2014. But because the design process was so
complicated, the schedule was postponed until this year.
The long process certainly should produce an electric SUV
that can meet all the criteria wanted by the consumers. Tesla itself is fairly
confident that the Model X deserves to be called as the best SUV in the world.
Physically, the Model X can be regarded as the Model S which
has been given more 'supplement', there are many elements of the Model S that
are still maintained, but there are many unique aspects that are given
exclusively for the Model X, including the windshield which connects to the
front roof, and the rear doors called 'Falcon Wing'.
This is not just gullwing doors that you commonly see in
many supercars. Tesla has designed them as good as possible so that the doors
look cool, and the most importantly is also functional. With doors that can be
opened upward, the passengers can enter the cabin with ease, including to the
back seats.
The problem that's typically encountered by this kind of
doors is the need of large space around the car. Well, it won't happen to the
Model X. Tesla has equipped this car with ultrasonic sensors that can recognize
the existence of objects around the car. The doors have double hinges: one
moves out and another one moves up. When the sides of the car are cornered by
other cars, the doors will open up first before opening out.
As an SUV, the Model X must have the ability to accommodate
many people at once goods. The cabin can accommodate seven people with ease,
and the trunk is also available at the rear and front. If all that was not
enough, the Model X can tow weights of more than 2 tons.
The cabin itself has a modern design. On the dashboard, once
again you will meet a 17 inch touch screen as an infotainment center. Tesla
designs the same software for the Model X and Model S, so that the updates can
be delivered simultaneously to both types of cars. Of course, the Model X also
features a semi-automatic steering as had been promised.
About the performance, the Model X is also quite identical
to Model S, although of course it has heavier weight. Even the battery capacity
of 90 kWh and the duo electric motors are exactly the same. Model X will be
available in two variants: 90D and P90D. This SUV can reach the speed of 100
km/h in just 3.2 seconds, this is one of the fastest SUVs in the world with
acceleration that's equivalent to supercar’s acceleration. It's claimed that
Tesla Model X battery can reach 413 km before needing to be recharged.
Tesla Model X is priced starting at $ 132,000, indeed it's
not cheap, but a series of sophisticated technology inside the car deserves to
carry such a high price.