STUD or DUD: Tesla Debuts The NEW Model X And All SOUNDS Good But Is It REALISTIC?

This past week Tesla debuted a new seven-seater minivan slash sport-utility vehicle thingymajig. As you'd expect from Tesla it's a fully electric product.

Though you wouldn't expect it though, it's got some flair with what Tesla's calling "falcon" doors, which act similarly to Gullwing doors except they're a bit more practical.

When it comes to key facts though, it seems somewhat compelling: Zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds, can supposedly seat seven real adults, has front/rear motors for its all-wheel drive system and has the turning radius of a MINI Cooper.

In addition, a rear-wheel drive model will also be available.

Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO has been quoted as saying "more room than a minivan, more style than an SUV and more performance than a sports car."

Oh yeah, it also has a "frunk," which is a trunk in the front -- much like a mid or rear-engined sports car. Stupid nomenclature aside, Musk claims it has more storage capacity than the rear cargo hold of an Audi Q7.

According to Musk, Tesla is looking to push 10,000 - 15,000 units annually, starting in 2014.

Pricing is expected to be around its sedan sibling, the Model S, around $58,000 pre-tax credit savings, and top out near $100,000.

Oh, and since you probably want to know how far this puppy will take you, word is 160 miles AND there will be the option for larger battery packs when the time comes.

BUT, let's be real for a second: Is this REALISTIC? Tesla has yet to produce one Model S and as one other publication put it, has yet to produce anything NOT based off of a Lotus chassis.

Is this debut a bit too premature as Tesla still has a tremendous amount to prove with its first fully fledged product?

SanJoseDriver - 2/12/2012 4:25:47 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, I think they can pull it off. When they set off to make the first viable performance electric car, people had the same doubts. The Model S is ready for sale in 4 months, and given 60% of the parts are shared between the Model S and Model X, launching this in early 2014 should be realistic.

CarCrazedinCali - 2/12/2012 6:13:15 PM

+2 Boost

I think it's cool. I can't imagine having an electric car personally without far more infrastructure out in public for charging and long range batteries.

pchera01 - 2/13/2012 1:48:08 AM

+1 Boost

what happens in snow storm?

vdiv - 2/13/2012 10:04:08 AM

0 Boost

What happens in a snow storm in any other crossover? People drive like idiots thinking that they are somehow invincible from the laws of physics and end up in a ditch, up on a pole, in someone else's living room.

As far as the electric aspect is concerned what happens is the door to the J1772 power plug freezes over and cannot be opened, meaning you can't charge the car unless you are in a heated garage. Not much different from the gas tank door freezing over.

pchera01 - 2/13/2012 7:32:58 PM

+1 Boost

what happens in snowstorm when you open the door...

pchera01 - 2/13/2012 7:32:58 PM

+1 Boost

what happens in snowstorm when you open the door...

vdiv - 2/14/2012 9:32:32 AM

+1 Boost

You mean the rear "falcon" doors? It probably takes off and flies away ;)

What happens is all the snow gets in onto the leather seats destroying them and making the occupants wet and miserable the whole way. See, this car was designed by people in So. Cal. They don't have snow storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, or much rain.

Backwoodsrider - 2/13/2012 10:03:48 AM

+3 Boost

Those doors won't open up in a conventional garage or it will be very tight. The sliding door is much better in my opinion.

Great concept though! Moving in the right direction.

vdiv - 2/13/2012 10:21:54 AM

0 Boost

Tesla Motors was trying to hit three rabbits with one bullet, make a minivan that is "sexy" with AWD and higher ground clearance for the occasional suburban curb encounter, that also goes fast for the ever caffeinated soccer moms.

Weight is one of the most challenging design objectives and together with "sexy" it doesn't quite fit with the sliding doors.

If anyone can pull it of it is Elon Musk. Hats off to him for never quitting.

dumpsty - 2/13/2012 2:19:46 PM

+2 Boost

IDK....looking at the included video, you can see that the rear doors open very tight to the vehicle initially. Once the rear door is lifted almost half-way up, they start to come out a bit. The door action would work in tight spots - seems like Tesla engineers planned for that.

It looked like 6 adults stepped out of the vehicle as well. I'm assuming the 3rd row seats fold down for more cargo space. And doesn't the front-end have cargo space as well?

This electric vehicle is going to be interesting.

vdiv - 2/13/2012 10:39:39 AM

0 Boost

Tesla Motor's first "fully fledged product" was the modular Energy Storage System (battery pack) comprised of thousands of standard Li-ION cells arranged in "bricks" that are temperature-controlled with liquid coolant. It was put in a Lotus Elise body to demonstrate what it is capable of and licensed to both Daimler and Toyota.

Their other "fully fledged product" is the resurgence of electric vehicles as without Tesla we wouldn't have any of the big companies making production EVs today.