Tesla Model X SUV coming in 2014

Article
Gallery

By Brett Davis | November 04th, 2010

According to the man himself, Elon Musk, Tesla is working on developing an electric SUV to be called the Tesla Model X which should hit the market by 2014. The new model will be based on the Model S ‘Adaptable Common Platform’ sedan which is schedule for release in 2012.

Elon Musk spoke about the plans at a factory opening in California earlier this week, confirming an SUV is planned for two years after the Model S launch. Musk said in an interview recently,

“When it will go into production is harder to predict because we want to make sure the Model S production line is operating smoothly before we introduce another variant. But certainly within two… in less than two years when we start Model S production, we will have the Model X.”

Speculators say the new Model X SUV will not only share the same platform and underpinnings as the Model S sedan, but it will also use the same electric powertrain and output similar or the same power and torque figures. Pricing for the Tesla Model S is expected to start at US$49,990 (AU$49,797); the Model X price is expected to be higher.

The Adaptable Common Platform is also going to be used on upcoming convertible and commercial van variants in the future.

Old Dog

water crossings could be interesting! Kids, don’t touch the water…

Shak

Well GM conducted a test of the Volt were it was submerged in 4 ft deep water, and then turned off for a minute. It was then successfully restarted and driven out without any water entering the engine bay, or the battery pack.
Lazybones

unless your driving this EV….

youtube.com/watch?v=sJC7E06IBXI

JEKYL & HYDE

the nicest looking electric car(so far)…
ohno

If they are going to the trouble of Adding the weight of an SUV body, wheels and tyres, aren’t they losing efficiency?

they should go head to head with the small prestige car class segment

Lazybones

SUV is a massive untapped potential for an EV, so far its been city runners and sports cars. So here is where we see some product knowledge sharing. Tesla are making the drive train for the RAV4 EV and now Tesla are making their own EV SUV. I wonder if Toyota will be sharing their knowledge of SUV’s with Tesla?

andronicus

Give them time and they will have a model for every class.
Smart move for US market though. They still love their SUV’s but more and more people starting to become environmentally aware.
This way they can keep their big cars and still look like they give a damn about the enviro.
Plus a smaller car would need to have new underpinings developed which apparently they are doing but an SUV would work with the S platform with minor adjustments. 2 vehicles from one R&D and manufacture outlay.
harryposter

Do you really need to drive through a creek or a lake on a daily basis?
If not, this car is just as fine as any other.
Even finer I would say.