Though It MAY Look Like A Regular Tesla Model S, It's Anything But— The "D" Is Unveiled And You're Going To Like It

While many enthusiasts have been anti-electric vehicles, I have a feeling that's going to change very soon. Very, very soon.

That's because Tesla is innovating MUCH faster than the other guys on the market. When Elon Musk tweeted that the "D" was going to bow this week, some people made wise cracks. I mean, it is nicknamed the "d," which is something a sixth grader would chuckle at.

But at the end of the day, Musk wowed everyone. That's because, on paper, the top spec dual motor Model S sounds like a complete and utter monster of an automobile.

Having nearly 700 horsepower on tap and an all-wheel drive setup certainly will help that along. Zero to 60 happens in 3.2 seconds and Musk said that Tesla benchmarked the McLaren F1's performance to get the Model S to this point.

If that wasn't enough, here's the BIG news:

1) D stands for dual motors
2) As a new front-mounted electric motor provides an additional bump of horsepower to the front wheels, the D models are all-wheel drive
3) There will be an "autopilot" mode that sounds very similar to the way Mercedes-Benz's radar-guided cruise control works — it will start stop for you in traffic, etc.

**For MORE information, click "Read Article" below to hear about the car from the folks on hand at yesterday's event!

Tesla Model S Dual Motor Specs (vs comparable single-motor model)

Note: The Tesla Model S P85D specifically has 50/50 weight distribution and 1 g maximum lateral acceleration.

Top Speed

60D: 125 mph (vs 120 mph for 60 kWh)
85D: 155 mph (vs 125 mph for 85 kWh)
P85D:  155 mph (vs 130 mph for P85)

0–60 mph Acceleration

60D: 5.7 sec (vs 5.9 sec)
85D: 5.2 sec (vs 5.4 sec)
P85D: 3.2 sec (vs 4.2 sec)

Quarter Mile Times

60D: 14 sec (vs 14.2 sec)
85D: 13.5 sec (vs 13.7 sec)
P85D: 11.8 sec (vs 12.6 sec)

Torque

60D: 362 lb-ft — 181 lb-ft front, 181 lb-ft rear
85D: 362 lb-ft — 181 lb-ft front, 181 lb-ft rear
P85D: 687 lb-ft — 244 lb-ft front, 443 lb-ft rear

Electric Motor Output

60D: 376 hp—188 hp front, 188 hp rear (vs 380 hp rear)
85D: 376 hp—188 hp front, 188 hp rear (vs 380 hp rear)
P85D: 691 hp—221 hp front, 470 hp rear (vs 470 hp)

Weight

60D: 4597 lbs (+ 176 lbs)
85D: 4824 lbs (+ 176 lbs)
P85D: 4936 lbs (+ 291 lbs)

Battery Range

60D: 225 miles (vs 215 miles)
85D: 295 miles (vs 285 miles)
P85D: 275 miles (vs 285 miles)

Read Article

cidflekken - 10/10/2014 1:40:52 AM

+3 Boost

Those are crazy power numbers for the P85D. Holy crap.

JDMUSMuscle - 10/10/2014 1:45:01 AM

-5 Boost

That's the new Toyota Camry, right?

Weapon - 10/10/2014 4:55:26 AM

+3 Boost

This thing is a monster. Awesome! That is like the fastest 4 door sedan on the market.

bnilhome - 10/10/2014 8:23:08 AM

+3 Boost

Tesla is on a roll....all of those German automakers are in disbelief that an American automaker is kicking their a*s right now with innovation and new product offerings. While their lineup is small relative to German counterparts, its mighty and powerful.

stampfer - 10/10/2014 8:27:27 AM

+1 Boost

So how long do tires last on a performance driven 5000lb car with 691hp and 687ft-lb of torque?

leej - 10/10/2014 8:38:52 AM

+3 Boost

I really do not understand all of the vitriol directed toward Tesla, or anyone who says anything positive about Tesla, by Internet posters.

JDMUSMuscle - 10/10/2014 3:44:07 PM

-1 Boost

I agree. Tesla is just an overglorified American version of Toyota Camry with some electric motors that are ok.

I guess this is all because the U.S. never had a single good car to brag about, so the Americans are all going crazy over it.

Just the Americans that is.

mre30 - 10/10/2014 10:31:57 AM

+1 Boost

Cool - you can get laser-guided cruise control! That's only been available in other cars since, oh, 2004.

nguyenvuminh - 10/10/2014 12:11:07 PM

+1 Boost

I don't own one but I like the story about the Tesla Model S so far, car and sales practice. But I fear for this model D as it seems like a horsepower arms race. The issue isn't how much power per se but rather HOW the power is put to use, i.e. how the chassis and suspension can handle that much power. Can the car handle that much power and torque? To date, I've read about how the car has a good combination of power and handling, I've yet to read article about how "the car can handle a lot more power", i.e. seems like the current combination of power and chassis is good fit. I hope this doesn't end up badly for Tesla as we need Tesla to push the auto industry to change its practice.

w222 - 10/10/2014 2:05:22 PM

+3 Boost

I love it... but my tesla stock is taking a hit. From an investor's stand point the D is not a cash cow. But we need innovations like this to help pave way for the next gen of automobiles.

cidflekken - 10/10/2014 3:33:59 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, Tesla needs to focus on products at a more attainable price, IMO. I know they are currently in development, but it couldnt' come quickly enough. I'd certainly be very interested.

supermoto - 10/10/2014 5:04:20 PM

-1 Boost

I still don't like it. For $130k I can buy some pretty killer cars. New Maserati or Aston Martin. Used Bentley, Ferrari, Lambo, etc.

Baby - 10/16/2014 10:00:52 PM

+1 Boost

And do any of those cars have almost 700 hp and won't break down after a couple of hard runs on the track? Bentley is about the only solid car you mentioned and that is a whole different animal...