There is good news for those who want to either purchase the Tesla Model X SUV. If you go to the Tesla Motors site now, there is the image that you can see here, announcing that you can "watch live tonight" at 8 PM Pacific Time. If you want to watch the launching of the all-electric crossover SUV later tonight, just go to the site for a live stream. This is what we know about the Tesla Model X SUV Release Date, Specs, and Price.
So what can we expect from the announcement tonight? Actually, there is a lot we already know about the Tesla Model X. Car and Driver says that the seven-passenger vehicle has a 259 horsepower electric motor powering the front wheels with a 503 horsepower rear-mounted motor that powers the rear wheels for an all-wheel drive. Other cool stats include a 90-kWh Model X with a 240-mile range that can hit 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
However, as The Verge explains, Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and mind behind these vehicles, has been known to go off-script at these events. It would not be surprising if Musk brings up some new feature that he has kept deliberately under wraps, and would be worth seeing the live stream for that.
For example, Kit Guru talks about how the Tesla Model X could feature a "ludicrous mode" boosting the acceleration to "ludicrous" levels. This means that the Tesla Model X will be willing to really go at greater ranges than predicted.
Forbes reported earlier this year that Musk has stated that he is going to be looking at the latest iteration of the Model X every week since early summer. Needless to say, there have been a lot of people admiring it on the test tracks. Musk is really seriously looking at key features like the Falcon Wing rear door and the way the second row seats are done.
One of the features that Musk is working hard on is the autopilot. It is pretty clear that with Google and other attempts to make self-driving cars that the Model X will be prepared for this era, even if we are nowhere near it today. Just to let you know, the expectation for this autopilot system is that someone is paying attention to the road and is ready to take over if there's an issue, just like how autopilot on an aircraft works. So you might have to bid farewell to your dreams of getting in your car, setting a destination, and then sleeping the entire way there.
The previously reported version of the autopilot for the Tesla Model X consists of forward radar, a forward camera, and then 360 degree ultrasonics that can go out about 5 meters or roughly 16 feet around the car. Not only will it be capable of highway autopilot, but autopark and the ability to summon the car onto private property. With Google making some serious progress on that whole self-driving car technology, it will be interesting to see how this tech develops.
Hopefully, Tesla will be able to release the Model X by its projected release date, and will be able to keep up with the demand. According to Extreme Tech, the Model X will be about $71,000 before state and federal credits, with a performance edition at around $96,000. Those that are first in line should receive their Model X by February 2016.
