Tesla Model X Is the Future of Electric Cars

Here’s an automotive riddle: What has wings like a bird, the speed of a jackrabbit, carries seven passengers and eats electricity?

It’s the new Tesla X, a crossover sport utility vehicle that’s the most anticipated new electric car model in several years. Built upon the surging success of the Tesla Model S, the new SUV is a fully–electric vehicle—requiring no gas or oil—with a range of 240 miles on a full charge and a top speed of 155 mph. That’s about three times farther than any other all–electric vehicle currently on the market even with the great advancements with electric cars. Also, because it’s electric, there is minimal ramp–up time for the engine to hit full power, so the cheetah–like zip factor is sure to get your heart pounding as you rocket from zero to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds at up to 762 all–electric horsepower.

However, the real beauty of this baby is not just in its astounding numbers, but also in its design, starting with "Falcon Wing" doors that open upward and out of the way to give passengers easy access to the seven bucket seats in the second and third rows of the Model X. All the seats are heated and ventilated (cooled) to further enhance passengers’ comfort and a smart air suspension has GPS memory to adjust the ride of the Model X to the particular terrain it is traversing.

Features

The fully electric crossover SUV also comes with all–wheel–drive by adding a second electric motor to independently power both sets of wheels, helping to keep the Model X on the straight and narrow even when wet El Niño weather conditions persist. It’s anticipated that a new autopilot feature will soon be available that will enable drivers of the Model X to navigate traffic, stay in freeway lanes safely away from other vehicles and obey posted speed limits automatically. 

Software updates will include an automated parking system that can get the car into tight spaces with ease and efficiency.

Charging the Model X is the same as with the Tesla S sedan, with standard charging stations requiring up to three hours to fully charge. Tesla has more than 500 supercharging stations nationwide with nearly 3,000 superchargers that will fill up the lithium–ion battery to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Unlike conventional gas stations, where price fluctuates on a daily basis, Tesla is offering free supercharging at all of its stations. 

Because the unique wing–like doors take away the ability to have a roof rack, Tesla is offering a rear mounted hitch that allows the SUV to carry sports equipment like bikes, skis or surfboards. 

Pricing

Pricing for the "Signature" version of the Model X—the first to be released— is expected to start at $132,000 and top out at $144,000 when fully loaded. The standard version of the Model X is expected to start at $90,000.

Pre–orders for the Tesla X have already topped 30,000, so buyers ordering now can expect delivery sometime in early to mid 2016.

For electric car lovers with families, it’s time to fly with the Tesla Model X.