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New Models
GREEN: Tesla Unveils Electric SUV
Seven-passenger Model X prototype has unique 'falcon wing' rear doors; production most likely two years away.
The all-electric Tesla Model X prototype sports a pair of unique 'falcon wing' rear doors. (Illustration: Tesla Motors)
Tesla Motors has rolled out its third model, the SUV-like Model X, an all-electric, all-wheel-drive, seven-passenger vehicle with a set of “falcon-wing” rear doors.
Using the battery-powered drivetrain of the electric Model S sedan, which will reach production in the coming months, the Model X presents a practical yet stylish take on the future of electric propulsion.
The electric-car manufacturer presented a Model X prototype on Thursday to the media and a crowd of clean-vehicle fans at Tesla’s Design and Engineering Building in Los Angeles.
But it’s the falcon-wing doors, not the electric drivetrain, that’s getting all the attention. Similar to the gullwing doors of exotic sports cars, the Model X doors open upwards to hang above the entering passengers.
What’s different is a bi-fold hinging system that allows each door to open in the tightest of spaces, folding together as it rises before opening fully. The idea is to present a unique alternative to the common sliding minivan door while making entry and exit clear and easy, according to Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk.
Production of the Model X is still at least two years away, but since it shares its drivetrain and underpinnings with the Model S sedan, some extrapolation can be made about pricing and performance. And, of course, the all-important range issue common to all electric vehicles.
The greater weight of the wagon body will effect driving range, compared with the upcoming sedan, but with the proposed standard 60-kilowatt battery pack, the Model X should get around 200 miles between full charges, according to Tesla. Opt for the stronger 85-kilowatt battery pack, and range should rise to as much as 270 miles.
The Model S provides fast acceleration with the instant torque of the electric motor, with a zero-60 time of 4.4 seconds, according to Tesla. The Model X time should be similar, though slowed somewhat by the extra weight.
Pricing should also be similar to the sedan’s, which ranges from $67,400 to $77,400, depending on battery pack, minus a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Model X is expected to come as either a single-electric-motor rear-drive model or an AWD version with a second motor powering the front wheels, which would also effect range, acceleration and the bottom line.
Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at
Using the battery-powered drivetrain of the electric Model S sedan, which will reach production in the coming months, the Model X presents a practical yet stylish take on the future of electric propulsion.
The electric-car manufacturer presented a Model X prototype on Thursday to the media and a crowd of clean-vehicle fans at Tesla’s Design and Engineering Building in Los Angeles.
But it’s the falcon-wing doors, not the electric drivetrain, that’s getting all the attention. Similar to the gullwing doors of exotic sports cars, the Model X doors open upwards to hang above the entering passengers.
What’s different is a bi-fold hinging system that allows each door to open in the tightest of spaces, folding together as it rises before opening fully. The idea is to present a unique alternative to the common sliding minivan door while making entry and exit clear and easy, according to Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk.
Production of the Model X is still at least two years away, but since it shares its drivetrain and underpinnings with the Model S sedan, some extrapolation can be made about pricing and performance. And, of course, the all-important range issue common to all electric vehicles.
The greater weight of the wagon body will effect driving range, compared with the upcoming sedan, but with the proposed standard 60-kilowatt battery pack, the Model X should get around 200 miles between full charges, according to Tesla. Opt for the stronger 85-kilowatt battery pack, and range should rise to as much as 270 miles.
The Model S provides fast acceleration with the instant torque of the electric motor, with a zero-60 time of 4.4 seconds, according to Tesla. The Model X time should be similar, though slowed somewhat by the extra weight.
Pricing should also be similar to the sedan’s, which ranges from $67,400 to $77,400, depending on battery pack, minus a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Model X is expected to come as either a single-electric-motor rear-drive model or an AWD version with a second motor powering the front wheels, which would also effect range, acceleration and the bottom line.
Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at
2014 Cadillac CTS
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