Tesla Motors first gave the world a glimpse of its new Model X at a press conference last February. At the recent North American International Auto show in Detroit the California manufacturer of electric vehicles showed off what was called a Model X design prototype.
That means a production model is still somewhere in the future.
The Model X is Tesla’s first foray into the world of SUVs/minivans. It would be different enough with its dual electric motors and all wheel drive, but Tesla wasn’t content to stop there. While the forward hinged front doors open in the time honoured manner, the controversial rear doors open upward, like in a classic gull wing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Tesla calls them “falcon wings” but that name isn’t going to stick. To those of us not employed by Tesla gull wings is what they are and always will be.
GULL WINGS OR FALCON WINGS?
Tesla’s PR people say the doors, which are hinged in the middle, require less space to open than a minivan’s sliding door and can be opened inside an average garage.
They certainly should make for easy access to the vehicle’s middle and third row of seats.
Model X runs on either a 60 kWh or 85 kWh battery that powers two electric motors – one on each axle – and has a claimed range up to 482 km. The company also claims it can sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than 5.0 seconds.
No pricing has yet been established, but you can bet Model X won’t be cheap. You can reserve one, with deliveries beginning some time in 2014, for $5,000 Cdn. The premium Model X Signature, with exclusive colours and options, requires a reservation payment of $40,000 Cdn.
Tesla says that despite fears for the company’s liquidity (it lost some $200 million U.S. last year) it already has received more than 2,000 reservations for Model X
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