New system eclipses 'insane' mode; 0-60mph in 2.8sec
The Tesla Model S P85 D will be sold with a new "ludicrous" mode, which offers enhanced performance that will allow the car to pull 1.1G of acceleration and cover 0-60mph in 2.8sec, company boss Elon Musk has revealed.
The P85 D, which is the highest performance Tesla Model S available, was previously sold with an "insane" mode that achieved a 0-60mph time of 3.1sec. However, the 0-60mph time in "ludicrous" mode is enhanced by 10% and the 0-155mph time by 20%. The quarter-mile time for the P85 D in "ludicrous" mode is 10.8sec.
Watch the Tesla Model S P85D in a drag race with a Caterham 620R on video
The performance enhancement has been achieved by raising the electric car's maximum amperage from 1300amps to 1500amps.
Tesla is offering US-based Tesla P85 D owners the chance to have their cars upgraded to run "ludicrous" mode for $5000 plus the cost of installation. New buyers can add it as an option for $10,000. No UK prices have been revealed.
Musk also revealed upgrades to battery performance for the Tesla Model S 85kW model, taking it to 90kW, adding around 7% more range. He also claimed that Tesla expects to find 5% battery range improvements per year for the forseeable future. A cheaper Model S 70Kw edition was also announced.
In addition, Musk confirmed that the Tesla Model X crossover will go on sale in the next few months, and will also be sold with a "ludicrous" mode option. He estimated the Model X's 0-60mph performance in "ludicrous" mode to be around 3.3sec because the car is around 10% heavier than the Model S P85 D.
Musk also confirmed the BMW 3 Series rival, the Tesla Model 3, will go on sale within three years.
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