🔘 TESLA’s Model S, first arrived on the market 4 years ago in June, 2012, when the first Model S rolled off the production line. Four years later on May 1, 2016 the New and Improved Model S are rolling off the production line at 1000 Cars/Week. The most noticeable and visible change is with the front “Nose Grill” area, the nose-cone.
🔘 Recall, the Model S is all-electric, Cosmetics was only reason Tesla used a Nose-Grill in its initial-design was to retain the look of familiar automotive aesthetics. Since there is no gas combustion engine, and no heat created, and no radiator to dissipate the heat… therefore a front Grill to admit air for the radiator is not needed.
🔘 TESLA’s Mission is to Deliver an Electric Car that “looks like” what everyone expects a Car to look like; and to have their Electric Car perform, as everyone expects a “traditional car to perform”… even though it’s all-Electric. These concepts were driving forces in 2012, and presently remain a major focus of TESLA’s mission. Tesla’s ultimate goal is to deliver affordable Electric Cars for the Mainstream, the Model 3 being Tesla’s first entry into the affordable car for the masses category.
🔘 TESLA’s all Electric Roadster and Model S proved that an Electric Car can be aesthetically Attractive with superior Performance. The Model S nose-Grill does not pass ambient-air through, to an Air-Over-Radiator as with Gasoline Engine powered cars. TESLA’s nose-Grill design was strictly cosmetic, as folks expected to see a Grill. Now that the Model S has been purchased by over 110,000 folks globally, with 80,000 Model S deliveries in the US, Tesla believes, that the Grill may now be replaced with an aerodynamically efficient Nosecone. This new nose-cone design is used in all Model X cars, and is planned for all Model 3 cars to be built starting in late 2017.
🔘 The new Nose-Grill displayed in the May, 2016 Model S is Aerodynamically Functional, due to its carefully engineered, wind-tunnel tested shape; The initial nose-grill was non-functional as there’s no ventilation needed to service a radiator that does not exist, as there’s no Gas-Combuston-Engine behind it. This new Nosecone is the same precision-design wind-tunnel tuned and tested, as used for TESLA’s new Model X, and their new Model 3, the affordable $35,000 electric car, that has over 400,000 reservations with $1000 deposits.
🔘 The Model S facelift brings the TESLA’s design “up to speed” Aerodynamically, as with the Model X and the upcoming Model 3 sedan. The revised front-fascia swaps-out the large faux-grille, in favor of a thin top-strip across the front with a centered T Logo. Changing the nose-cone on the Model S has significantly decreased the “Wind Resistance” of the Car, thereby increasing the overall Milage Range by more than 10%.
🔘 The Improved Model S has been fitted with New Head Lights that are powered with high-power LEDs, including 14 three-position dynamic turning lights to improve visibility with evening turns and winding roads.
🔘 Tesla Engineers have added a new HEPA air filtration system, removing 99.97% of all particulate exhaust pollution, allergens, bacteria, and other airborne contaminants. Like the Model X, this Air Filtration system features a “Bioweapon Defense Mode” that maintains positive pressure inside the cabin, to prevent toxic gasses from entering the Car’s cabin.
🔘 Tesla Designers have added several Improvements on the inside, adding a few new wood trim options. Buyers can also select an Option for heating or cooling Forced-Air ventilation of the front seats, a similar HVAC system employed in the new Model X. For example, on a Hot Afternoon in South Florida, the interior seating becomes very hot, upwards of 150ºF.
🔘 Tesla offers an AirConditioned Front Seats Option, that delivers Cool, Dry, Forced-Air Circulation inside the perforated seat-cushions, creating a cool, dry seat, rather than a scorching hot seat, particularly if you fit the Car with Black Leather. Seat-cushion air circulation is very comfortable at all times. However, particularly comfortable during long commutes and road-trips.
🔘 Recall, with your iPhone, you can Remotely start the Car’s Air Conditioning System, while the car is locked, awaiting your arrival from your Meeting, Luncheon, or Shopping. From your Apple Watch you are able to see the internal temperature of the Car, verify that it’s properly Locked, check your Fuel Range, and Turn-On the Air Conditioning, preparing the Car for your arrival to it.
🔘 Model S will likely be paired with a 120 kWh High-Capacity LiON Battery delivering a Range of 400 Miles that will eventually replace the battery pack presently offered. We previously reported that Tesla and Panasonic have designed a slightly larger LiON battery cell [2mm bigger in diameter, 5mm taller] that delivers 33% greater Power with no increase in the cost to product the Lion cells. Implementation of this new LiON 20700 cell may be the effect of assembling a 120 kWh LiON battery pack. Presently Customers have the choice of TESLA’s 70 kWh LiOn battery pack, and the 90 kWh LiON Battery pack, paired with either a single-rear-motor, 2-Wheel Drive system, or paired with Front-Wheel motor plus Rear-Wheel motor, for their AWD package.
🔘 Folks require more than a 300 mile range in an Electric Car. Tesla need to deliver a 400 Mile Range Battery pack, principally because at current Charging Rates, a 5-Minute “electric” Fill-Up delivers 28 Miles Range added to the LiON Battery, at Best. We understand that Tesla SuperCharger Stations will increase to a Power of 150 kWh [from 120 kWh]. This 25% increase that may deliver 35 Miles per 5 Minute charge, or 100 Mile Range in 15 Minutes, or over 200 Mile Range in 30 minutes.
🔘 There are 168,000 Gas Stations, and 40,000 Electric Fueling Spots in the US. Electric Car drivers need and want greater Range per Full Charge, per Fill-up. Recall, When a Gasoline Engine powered Car pulls into a Gas Station, within 5-Minutes, they receive 15 Gallons of Gas, which provides 330 Miles of range, as established by the EPA standards of 22MPG, with a 15 gallon fuel-tank.
🔘 Tesla needs a 120 kWh 400 Mile Range LiON Battery for the Model S, X, and Model 3 Cars. A 120 kWh Battery’s 400 mile Range, in traditional Gas-Tank equivalency, of an 18.2 Gallon Gas Tank, in a car that achieves 22MPG. Hopefully the Chargers and Battery Chemistry, will permit more Power to enter the LiOn Battery in Less Time.
🔘 For Electric Car Fill-ups, a 5-Minute Electric Fill-up, an Electric Car receives only 28 Miles of Range, at any of the 630 Tesla SuperCharger Stations, the most powerful [120 kWh chargers] in the US. The 2nd best Electric Charger “in the wild” delivers 16 mile Range for a 5 minute charge, and there are not too many of these ChargePoint 200 RPH chargers. The Model S onboard charging system has been upgraded to accept 48 Amp Service, a 20% increase over the previous specs.
🚘 Compare Tesla Model S and Model X all Electric Cars. From a Non-Car-Guy point of view, we discuss in reasonable detail [not-too-technical] a few of the commonly used electric-car terms; We need to think and understand this new “language.”
🚘 Tesla Cars Viewed from a Buyer Perspective, selecting the Options for the Model S or Model X makes significant changes to the Comfort and Safety of the Driver & Passengers, plus the Car’s Agility, Power, and Performance. In this article we Compare two highly rated Tesla electric Cars.
🚘 Permit me to bring you “up to speed” on some of the ingredients that make the Tesla Electric Cars “tick.” Remember, it’s All about the Cells, LiON Cells. Thousands of Cells in all Model X and Model S Cars.
🚘 Look at this Single Lithium-Ion Cell in hand. The LiON Cell is truly the Magical Ingredient that energizes Tesla Model S and Model X Cars. Thousands of these Cells [literally 7,104 Cells] all lined up in a special arrangement, with 444 cells housed in each Module, where all 16 modules are connected together to deliver 400v DC at 225 Amps, yielding a 90 kWh Battery weighing 1,200 pounds.
🚘 Tesla’s GigaFactory, 100 Electric Ave, Sparks, Nevada. Tesla’s Lithium-Ion Battery factory [over 3 million sq.ft, on 1.5 sq. miles land] will produce more Lithium Cells than the entire World’s 2015 production. The Gigafactory’s initial production capacity is targeted at 35 Million kWh per Year, enough Lithium Cells to power 400,000 Tesla Cars/yr, [that’s 2.75 Billion Cells, LiON Cells/year or 7.64 Million Cells/day].
🚘 Tesla’s new GigaFactory is an 80 Acre Building Under Roof. Tesla’s battery partner [Panasonic] will be manufacturing their new co-designed LiOn Cell [the 20700 Cell] rendering it +133% more powerful. When Tesla’s Production Line [for Model X, Model S, Model 3 Cars] delivers 12,000 Cars per month, Tesla’s Gigafactory will be Producing 2.8 Million LiON Cells every Day, for the Car’s Batteries; This is just the “startup” quantity before Tesla Ramps-Up production [add the Model 3 Car in 2018] in Tesla’s new 3.5 million sq.ft. facility, the first phase of 10 Million sq.ft.
🚘 It’s Really All about the LiON Cells. Look at the picture of the 18650 Lithium-Ion Cell standing upright next to a traditional Double-AA battery on my iPad Pro’s keyboard. The LiON Cell [39gm] is over twice the physical size and weight of the AA battery [16gm]. Notice 5000 mAh capacity, equals 5.0 Ah at 3.7v DC. [Watts = A x V] or 5×3.7 = 18.5 Watt/Hr. Let’s divide it by 1000, to convert 18.5 Watts into kiloWatts. 18.5/1000 = 0.0185 kWh.
🚘 We Converted 18.5 Watts of storage into kWh [0.0185 kWh] the same units as in the 90 kWh Battery Pack. We know there are 7,104 LiON Cells in TESLA’s battery pack. Each individual LiON Cell can store 0.0185 kWh of power… seems like an itty-bitty amount of Power.
🚘 Cells are TESLA’s MAGIC. All these LiOn Cells are like a Miniature “Army” of Cells. A single “Army-Man’s” power, may not be impressive, with only 0.0184 kWh of muscle; BUT, let’s multiply our Army-Man, and bring in 7104 Army-Men; Now we have several Brigades, a “Powerful Force” of 7104 Men… 7104 Cells… Therefor, let’s take the single Cell’s modest Power of 0.0185 kWh, times 7,104. [0.0185 x 7104 = 131.4 kWh]
🚘 This is a Storage Pack with 131.4 kWh Power. OMG, that’s Huge. If these LiON Cells were all lined up in Tesla’s special arrangement for their TESLA Battery Pack, they’d have an amazing 130 kWh Battery, that’s 144% greater capacity than their present 90 kWh Battery, which would likely be an EPA rating of 400 Miles Range, rather than 275 EPA miles, for the present day 90 kWh Battery. See how much fun we’re having…
🚘 After All, it’s really all about the Cells, currently the 18650 LiOn Cell, is 18mm in diameter by 65mm tall. Battery Engineers say by increasing the Cell’s Diameter marginally by 2mm to 20mm, and increasing the cell’s Height from 65mm to 70mm, the new Cell, the LiON 20700 Cell will actually deliver 133% of the Power than its smaller brother, at the Same Cost per Cell.
🚘 Delivery of the 20700 LiON Cell may be the “Birth” of Tesla’s new 120 kWh Battery, with a Range over 400 Miles. This is a Huge development. Personally, having over 350 EPA certified miles is the Range folks need to see. Anything significantly less in Range [in my opinion] would be considered a “Commuter Car.”
🚘 Today is Racing in Fast Forward to the Future, as Electric Cars Charge on to the Mainstream However, too many folks remain pulled back with decades of prejudices and familiarity: “Pistons, Tanks, Gas, Rods, Gallons, Liters, Fumes, Plugs, V8’s, Octane, Unleaded…” Today, Electric Cars are becoming more popular partly because of the “GREEN” effect, plus some folks see Fuel Cost savings beneficial in the longer view.
🚘 Gas Prices at $2.75/Gallon currently, Equals 12¢/Mile, [assume the EPA 22 MPG] the cost the average Gas Guzzler is about 12¢/Mile. This fuel cost/mile is Three Times the cost of the Tesla Models S or X, electric utility charge of 4¢/Mile. [electricity cost 12¢/kW]
🚘 It takes Courage to be GREEN with Cars. One must have lots of Courage to be an “Electric Car Pioneer” knowing that: (A) Electric Car manufacturers do not have decades of experiences or durability stats, (B) Electric Charger-Stations are “few and far between” literally, (C) the Time required for an electric Fill-Up.
🚘 Gas Staton Fill-Ups: For an EPA standard 15 gallon Fill-Up, traditional Gas Stations [currently there are 168,000 US Gas Stations] that require about 5-Minutes in Fueling Time, giving your car 330 miles of Range, with an EPA standard of 22MPG, renders a cost of 12¢/Mile, at $2.65/Gallon. With Electric-Car charging at most of the 40,000 charging-stations that currently exist in the US, the same 5-Minutes Fueling Time, gives your Electric Car 2.5 miles of Range. At DC FAST Express Commercial and Public Charging (19.2 kWr) Stations, a 5 minute charge gives your electric Car about 5 miles of Range. Fortunately, many EV Car Drivers have a Charger Connection at their residence garage, for every night fill-ups.
🚘 Your Garage becomes your Fuel Service Station, as you can Plug-In your Tesla using a 19.2 kWh Super Charger Kit, for an Over Night Fill Up, every Night. Although, the charging rate is roughly 60 RPH, [60 miles of Range per Hour of Charging], If you have a 360 Mile Battery, plugging in overnight, in 6 hours you are FULL of electric power. Although, the Public Charging Stations are time consuming for even a modest fill-up, your Garage Charger is very convenient for an every-Night topping-off your “Electric Fuel Tank.”
🚘 For Electric Cars to become truly Mainstream, These Issues Must be resolved
(A) Battery Range of 350 Miles – Affordable Battery Technology, to render energy storage at a reasonable cost, giving 350+ Miles Range. With a bazillion Gas Stations in the US, [actually 168,000] gas driven cars receive a 330 mile range with a 5-minute Fill-Up time
(B) Range per 5 Minute Fill-Up. Charging Stations will have to Deliver significantly more Range than 5 Miles with a 5 Minute Charge
(C) DC-FAST chargers by ChargePoint are currently the fastest commercial chargers giving a Rate of 200 RPH which equals 15 Miles Range for a 5 Minute charge using the CHAdeMO plug.
🚘 TESLA is getting FASTER with Charging Speed, as their Super-Charger Stations Deliver a 30 mile Range in 5-minutes, 115 Miles of Range in 20 Minutes, or 170 Miles in 30 Minutes, Electric Charging gives 5 Miles of Range per Minute … This charging-rate although FAST for electric charging points, is still relatively slow, compared to the Time folks are used to at Gas Stations, giving 60 miles of Range per Minute. Tesla’s Super-Charger Stations are proprietary for Tesla Cars Only, as Tesla is providing its Power at No Cost to Tesla Drivers.
🔴 Below are YouTube Video-Clips Links that you may be interested in viewing. Having reviewed dozens of videos, these have been picked, showing (A) A Video, narrated, takes you into the assembly-line of the Model S at their factory in Fremont, California (B) Tesla associate Delivering a Tesla Model S to a customer; taking a new Tesla owner through the setup of the features for the Model S. TESLA’s delivery-training is worth your time (C) the next 2 video-clips demonstrate the Tesla AutoPilot in action on freeways, first with the Model X, the second is with the Model S car.
🔵 These Clips have been placed between two distinctive images, so you can return here, at a later time, after you’ve read the article.
🔴 Tesla Factory is Automated with Robotics; this interesting, narrated YouTube video-clip gives a closeup view of the assembly of some key components such as the unique Tesla Motor, Gear Box, and Dashboard electronics: https://goo.gl/5wu3sW
🔴 Tesla Factory Delivery of Your New Model S All Tesla Cars are build-to-order. In a few weeks you car will be ready for delivery to you. This YouTube narrated video-clip shows a Tesla Delivery to a Customer: https://goo.gl/cpHnYt
🔴 Tesla Drivers demonstrate the Model X and the Model S AutoPilot with Software version 7.0 These narrated demonstrations of the Autopilot shows the hands-free operation of the Tesla Autopilot controlling the car on Expressways at 70+mph, quite amazing:
https://goo.gl/Tj3wGr
https://goo.gl/YxQyNa
🔴 A Tesla Driver demonstrates the Apple Watch monitoring the status of the Model S and some of the Controlling capability of the Model-S Car. https://goo.gl/72smx0
🚘 Tesla provides a Free APP for iPhones and Apple Watch where Drivers may Plug-In at the Charging station, Start the Charge cycle, Lock the Car, then go into a Coffee shop or Retail Center. Then Remotely, Drivers can Open the Tesla APP on your iPhone and on your Apple Watch, which Logs-In to your Tesla Car’s Computer, to do lots of tasks
(A) Look at the Status of your Car: Locked, Unlocked, Interior Temperature, Range in Miles
(B) You can Honk your Horn, Flash the Car’s Lights to help you find the car in a large parking lot, or a dark street, Start the A/C system to Cool-Down your Car, so it’s ready for you at a Comfortable temperature, or heat the car in the Winter season
(C) Look at the Charging-progress of your Car, see the Miles Range as your Battery is charging, you’d then know when it’s time to return to your Tesla Car
(D) All of these actions can be performed from your iPhone and your Apple Watch.
🚘 Tesla Promises Free Super-Charges Forever. Free charging as assured by Elon Musk helps to mitigate the limited Network of Stations, and the relatively slow Charge-time [compared to Gas-Fill-Ups]. Tesla’s SuperCharger Stations are Super-Fast [compared to all other Commercial and Public charger stations] but are relatively slow compared to Gasoline Car fill-ups. Hopefully new Battery technologies will permit significantly Faster Charge Times. It is believed that LiON Battery technology is one of the major factors limiting Charge-Time.
🚘 Tesla SuperCharger stations require 20-30 Minutes to obtain a reasonable 100-175 Mile Range added to their Battery “Fuel Tanks.” To mitigate this “time issue” Tesla locates their Stations near Destinations where the Driver may be encouraged to visit, like Coffee Shops, Malls, Retail Shopping Centers.
🚘 Good News: The Public, Federal & State Governments, and Technology Enterprises are Focusing on GREEN Personal Transportation Solutions. For Traditional Cars: We need to arrest (an increasing portion of) the Toxic-Fumes spewing into the atmosphere, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are an answer; The EV Revolution has many of us digesting a new vocabulary: Lithium Ion batteries, Cells, 90 kWh, 70 kWh, LiON Cells, is Bigger Better, How Big is enough, Charger-Stations, Amps, Watts, Volts, Bolts, AC, DC not CD, RPH not MPH… EV’s have NO sign of Toxic Fumes, there’s no Gas-burning, nor tail-pipe Exhaust…
🚘 Compare Model X & Model S: Reviewing Tesla’s web site is a good experience; the web-site is well designed and full of attractive, informative dialogs and graphics. Our effort, is to provide the back-story, analysis, and related information on the topic of Electric Cars, from the point of view of a “Non-CAR-Guy.” After all, we want to know more about electric cars; we need to know What’s Watt.
🚘 Model S – Performance and Safety Refined – Model S is designed from the ground up to be the safest, most exhilarating sedan on the road; Having driven the Model S recently, Exhilarating is an Understatement. With unparalleled performance delivered through Tesla’s unique, all-electric powertrain, Model S accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.8 seconds with its optional “Ludicrous Performance Mode.” Model S comes with true Autopilot capabilities designed to assist the highway driving experience, making it safer and stress free.
🚘 Adaptive Headlight Lighting – Model S features full LED adaptive headlights. Besides enhancing the already great styling, adaptive headlights also boost safety. With 14 three-position LED dynamic turning-lights improve visibility at night, especially on winding roads.
🚘 HEPA Medical Grade Air Filter – Model S now features a Medical grade HEPA air filtration system, which removes 99.97% of particulate exhaust pollution and effectively all allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants from the Cabin Atmosphere. Tesla has a “Bioweapon Defense” mode that creates a Positive Pressure inside the Cabin to protect occupants from any poisonous gasses from entering the Car. Not that we are expecting an attack, but, every day we can be following a Tractor Trailer that is spewing Clouds of Black Soot and Toxic Fumes… this screen activated mode, protects everyone in the Car from being “gassed” by every-day driving hazards.
🚘 Autopilot – Tesla’s Autopilot performs the following comprehensive tasks (A) assists Model S with steering, by keeping the Car within your Lane, (B) Change lanes with the simple tap of a turn signal (C) Manages Speed by using active, traffic-aware cruise control assuring safe following distance from the Car ahead (D) Digitally controls the motors, brakes, and steering mechanisms, to help avoid collisions from either Frontally and Sides (E) Prevents the car from wandering off the road, as often occurs when a sleepy driver dozes.
🚘 Tesla AutoPilot also enables your car to Scan for an adequate Parking Space, and will Parallel Park on the Driver’s command. Tesla’s Summon, is a new feature that permits the Driver to “Call your Car” using your iPhone. When the Driver Summon’s their Car, the AutoPilot controls the car where it self-drives your empty Car, to meet you at your Front Door, all systems on GO. Tesla’s Autopilot features are progressively enabled over time with periodic software updates. The latest software update 7.0 added the “Summon” feature mentioned above.
🚘 Automatic Steering with Traffic Aware Cruise Control – Active sensors combined with GPS and high resolution digital maps comprise a mutually reinforcing system that pilots Model S along the highway, staying within your lane, even in stop and go traffic.
🚘 AutoPilot with Real-Time Learning – RealTime automated feedback from Tesla’s fleet of over 100,000 of Model S and X Cars. Think about it. All Tesla Car’s onboard Computers are periodically reporting to the “Mother Ship” information about the accuracy of its AutoPilot functions and Driver Assist features.
🚘 AutoPilot – If the Tesla Computer is driving “off course” where the Driver intercedes with a “course correction” the Car’s onBoard Computer makes note of these “autonomous driving errors” and transmits each occurrence to Tesla’s home office. All these course corrections and adjustments from all over the world, from Tesla’s Fleet of over 100,000 cars are assimilated. Software engineers will augment the navigation program accordingly, to ensure these systems are continually Learning and Improving upon itself. Tesla transmits a “Smarter, Trained, AutoPilot” into your Model S, Model X, Model 3 Computer system, periodically.
🚘 Dual Motor Model S is a categorical improvement on conventional all-wheel drive systems. With two motors, one in the front and one in the rear, Model S digitally and independently controls torque to the front and rear wheels. The result is unparalleled traction control in all road and climate conditions.
🚘 Model S, it’s two Motors are lighter, smaller, and more efficient than the Gasoline Car counterparts, providing both improved Range and faster Acceleration. In contrast, conventional all-wheel drive cars employ complex mechanical linkages and transaxles to distribute power from a single engine to all four wheels. This sacrifices energy efficiency in favor of all-weather traction.
🚘 Model S Performance comes standard with All-Wheel Drive Dual Motors, pairing the high performance rear motor with a high efficiency front motor to achieve “SuperCar” acceleration, from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.
🚘 Model S is Built around the Driver – Model S is a Car-Driver’s car. The cabin combines meticulous noise-abatement engineering with Tesla’s uniquely quiet powertrain to obtain the Sound Dynamics of a Recording Studio. Having recently driven the Model S, one of the most stunning observations Driving the Model S is the “Total Silence” one experiences when putting on a Pair of BOSE noise-cancelling Headphones.
🚘 Touchscreen – The Model S is controlled an impressive 17″ touchscreen, is the interior centerpiece, high-resolution Display. The LCD display is angled toward the Driver and includes both day and night modes for better visibility without distraction. The Display puts rich and important content at the Driver’s fingertips providing mobile [cellular] connectivity. The Driver can easily find a destination, favorite song, or a new restaurant, PLUS the display controls most of the car’s functions. Opening the all glass panoramic roof, customizing the automatic climate control, setting the AutoPilot parameters, changing the radio station, all happen with a swipe or a touch. The touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and steering wheel controls seamlessly integrate media, navigation, communications, cabin controls and vehicle data.
🚘 Model S is designed from the ground up to be the safest car on the road, according to Tesla. Much of its safety is owed to the unique electric drivetrain and the 1200 pound Battery pack that sits beneath the car’s aluminum occupant cell in its own subframe. This unique positioning substantially lowers the car’s center of gravity, which improves handling and minimizes rollover risk, and replaces the heavy engine block with impact absorbing boron steel rails.
🚘 Side impacts are met by aluminum pillars reinforced with steel rails to reduce intrusion, protecting occupants and the battery pack while improving roof stiffness. In the event of an accident, eight airbags protect front and rear occupants, and the 90 kWh Battery [a high-voltage 400v DC, 225 Amp array of LiOn Cells] is automatically disconnected.
🚘 Tesla Launch Event of for the Model X – Sept 29, 2015 by Tesla Motors – http://ift.tt/1FFyTCs
🚘 According to Tesla Motors, the Model X is the safest, fastest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history. With all-wheel drive and a 90 kWh battery providing 257 miles of range [an EPA stat], Model X has ample seating for up to seven adults [with 3 seating options] and all of their gear. The Model X it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from zero to 60 MPH in as quick as 3.2 seconds [with High Performance Option]. Model X is the no-compromise SUV.
🚘 Tesla states that it’s Model X is designed with safety as the first priority. The floor-mounted 1200 pound battery lowers the center of gravity so that the risk of rollover is “half the risk” any other SUV in its class. The battery structure strengthens Model X against side impact intrusions. Without a gasoline engine, the Model X’s large front trunk acts as a giant impact-absorbing crumple zone. Tesla’s own internally conducted crash testing indicates that Model X has the expectation, to be the first SUV to receive the highest safety rating in every category; although as of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet conducted crash testing on the Model X.
🚘 Active Safety: Model X continually scans the surrounding roadway with cameras, radar and sonar systems, providing the driver with real-time feedback to help avoid collisions. Even at highway speeds, Model X is designed to automatically apply brakes in an emergency.
🚘 Falcon Wing doors allow easy access to second and third row seats from even a tight parking space, while traditional SUV doors or Minivan sliding doors would not grant any access.
🚘 With only a foot of clearance on either side, Falcon Wing doors articulate smoothly up and out of the way, allowing passengers to enter from both front and rear directions. The side and overhead opening is so large that parents can buckle children in without ducking or straining and without bumping their child’s head on the roof.
🚘 Aerodynamic, Model X is able to achieve 257 miles of range in part because it is the most aerodynamic SUV in production. With a Drag Coefficient of 0.24, Model X’s Wind Resistance is 20% lower than the next best SUV, better than most all other Cars period. In addition, an active spoiler deploys from the rear lift-gate optimizes highway efficiency and stability.
🚘 Big Sky Effect – Model X has the largest all glass panoramic windshield in production, providing an unparalleled view of the road, scenery, stars, and sky above. Optimized solar-tinting and obstruction-free view, creates unlimited visibility for the driver and all passengers.
🚘 Autopilot – Tesla’s Autopilot performs the following comprehensive tasks (A) assists Model S with steering, by keeping the Car within your Lane, (B) Change lanes with the simple tap of a turn signal (C) Manages Speed by using active, traffic-aware cruise control assuring safe following distance from the Car ahead (D) Digitally controls the motors, brakes, and steering mechanisms, to help avoid collisions from either Frontally and Sides (E) Prevents the car from wandering off the road, as often occurs when a sleepy driver dozes.
🚘 Tesla AutoPilot also enables your car to Scan for an adequate Parking Space, and will Parallel Park on the Driver’s command. Tesla’s Summon, is a new feature that permits the Driver to “Call your Car” using your iPhone. When the Driver Summon’s their Car, the AutoPilot controls the car where it self-drives your empty Car, to meet you at your Front Door, all systems on GO. Tesla’s Autopilot features are progressively enabled over time with periodic software updates. The latest software update 7.0 added the “Summon” feature mentioned above.
🚘 Automatic Steering with Traffic Aware Cruise Control – Active sensors combined with GPS and high resolution digital maps comprise a mutually reinforcing system that pilots Model S along the highway, staying within your lane, even in stop and go traffic.
🚘 AutoPilot with Real-Time Learning – RealTime automated feedback from Tesla’s fleet of over 100,000 of Model S and X Cars. Think about it. All Tesla Car’s onboard Computers are periodically reporting to the “Mother Ship” information about the accuracy of its AutoPilot functions and Driver Assist features.
🚘 AutoPilot – If the Tesla Computer is driving “off course” where the Driver intercedes with a “course correction” the Car’s onBoard Computer makes note of these “autonomous driving errors” and transmits each to Tesla’s home office. All these course corrections and adjustments from all over the world, from Tesla’s Fleet of over 100,000 cars are assimilated, to ensure these systems are continually Learning and Improving upon itself. Tesla transmits a “Smarter, Trained, AutoPilot” into your Model S, Model X, Model 3 Computer system, periodically.
🚘 Seating for Seven – Model X comfortably seats seven people in three rows: 2F, 3M, 2R. Every seat is the best seat in the house; however, the Middle Row of 3 seats are a work of art. Mounted on a single post and independently reclining, each second row seat is designed to maximize passenger comfort, legroom, under seat storage and access to the third row. The third row seats fold flat when not in use and the second row seats lean forward and out of the way for even more cargo area
🚘 Technology and Specifications
• Regular over-the-air updates add safety and navigation features, enhance performance and improve the driver experience
• Free Charge-ups at Tesla’s Supercharger network
• Maps and navigation with real-time traffic information
• Center console with a quick connect iPhone dock
• GPS enabled Homelink
• Electric All-Wheel Drive for max efficiency/traction
• Active safety technologies: side collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking
• Parking sensors and blind spot warning
• Full LED headlamps
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Up to four LATCH child seat attachments
• Largest glass panoramic windshield in production, providing unparalleled views
• Falcon Wing doors allow access to 2nd, 3rd row seats
• Automatic keyless entry
• Automatic rear lift-gate opening
• Large interior storage capacity of 77 cubic feet
• Front trunk with room for luggage, strollers or golf bags
• Warranty is 8 years, infinite mile Battery and Drive Unit
• Warranty is 4 years, 50,000 mile limit for entire Car
🚘 Admittedly, before engaging with our Tesla Comparisons, it was believed that the Model S was the Larger Car, yes, the “S” is likely lower to the Ground, and it is. Having seen both cars “up close and personal” the Model S visually gives the appearance of being a Heavier, Longer and Wider machine.
🚘 Comparison-List of Specs for Model X and Model S for 9⃣ key measures; the results were quite surprising. Here are a few of the biggest surprises: the Model X is 624 Pounds Heavier, The Model X is Wider by 4″, it’s also Longer by 2″, and more Shoulder Room by 3″ Wider, Head Room is almost 3″ Taller for those big guys, and Hip Room is over 4″ Wider too.
🚘 Truthfully, I’m already “Sold on the entire Tesla concept” however, Comparing both Models. But after a fairly extensive research effort, to render this article worthwhile, my 1st choice Model changed, back and forth, both ways, this way and that way… I thought this would be an easy pick. Selecting a Car is a personal matter. The Style, Look, Power, AWD, RWD, Utility, Speed, Range, Software, Suspension, Colors and Materials… Which Model is best for you, the “X” or the “S” ? Read on, it may help with your selection.
🚘 The Challenge as Electric Vehicles become “Mainstream” particularly in light of Tesla’s new Model 3 Reveal, midnight (March 31st-April 1st) just three weeks ago, Tesla received over 325,000 Reservation Deposits of $1000 in One Week. This is an unheard of huge global “Reservation-List” for a new Car that no one at the time had actually seen yet, albeit an affordable $35,000 beauty. (We’ve collected some stunning pictures and video clips below).
🚘 Whether it’s TESLA Cars or the other 25-flavors of electric cars sold in the US last year, for example, the Top Three: 92,700 Chevy Volts, 92,500 Nissan Leafs, 63,100 Tesla Model S Cars, are among the 410,000 electric vehicles sold last year, plus 12,200 charging stations and 30,700 Public Charging points in the US. Where are all those Charging locations that have the “Type of Juice” a Tesla requires? How much will it Take? How many Miles can be driven with an Electric Fill-Up? In a Reasonable amount of Time… how much Time?
🚘 The Buzz Words, AC, DC, kWh, SAE-J1772, CHAdeMO, RPH not MPH, DC not CD, Current-Flow, no more High-Test or Low-Test… So What’s with the Watts, Range, Amps, Volts, Bolts and Leafs. Fear Not, scroll-down to this “––Previously Reported––” marker, where we’ve explained many of these terms, which serves as a guide for your New Tesla, to keep you energized and literally Charged. Globally, there are over 1.2 Billion Gas and Electric cars driving on the roads today, with over 600,000 electric cars last year.
🚘 Model X Proposed Order formulated on Tesla’s Design Center showing options selected.
🚘 Model S Range Per Charge chart shows four Model S configurations showing the (Milage) Range for a fully charged Model S, that you’d anticipate depending on the Battery Size of 70 kWh or the 90 kWh, and Motor D configuration (2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive) selections. Notice, Ambient Temperature was turned up to 90ºF, Average driving speed was set at 45mph, and the A/C On, using 19″ wheels.
🚘 Tesla Model S 90D Achieves over 400 Mile Range on One Charge, is very impressive, as no other Electric Car has even half this Range. [443 Mile Range with A/C off, 392 Mile Range with A/C on, average driving speed 45mph]. Tesla says, each year, their engineers expect its LiON Battery Technologies will improve kWh Capacity and Range by around 5%-to-10% per Year, due to engineering efficiencies and improvements of the LiON cell structure and chemistry. These individual LiON-Cells are quite important; The 90 kWh LiON battery contains 7104 cells housed within 16 modules, containing 444 cells in each module. [Each Module delivers 25v DC at 225 Amps. The Math: 16 Modules at 25v DC equals 400 vDC at 225Amps, which equals 90kWh of Power.] Tesla’s Lithium Battery pack containing a “bazillion small cells” [well 7104 cells] was probably my biggest surprise.
🔋 TESLA has been thinking about these topics that only great automotive engineers consider regarding Fuel (electric or gas) Efficiency, the $Cost/Mile driven; however, lets keep it simple for now, by excluding these important items: Tire replacement, Drivers’ aggressive driving habits (hard acceleration, braking, hard turns), the engine, drivetrain, fuel-grade, etc. Let’s exclude all the items above, and read on.
🚘 The following items, are very important “external factors” engineers are very interested in, that effect (Milage) $Cost/Mile efficiency: (1) Wind Resistance on the Car’s external surfaces (Coefficient of Aerodynamic Drag), overall-shape, front-grill, door-handles, antennas, windshield-wipers (2) Tire Friction, the interaction of the tires on the paved streets, camber, caster, alignment and (3) the Wheel-Bearings. All these factors require [more] energy to overcome their effect on Car’s performance.
🚘 Considering all these Internal and External Engineering Factors, TESLA has designed a precision 4-door sedan using electric propulsion… winning awards from the entire automotive industry globally, combined with over 80,000 pleased Tesla Model S owners. Elon Musk while on-stage said, the gross margins on the Model S sales, helped to finance the development their new Model 3 Car unveiled April 1 at midnight. While on stage, Musk thanked the audience for buying the Model S… or else the “Model 3 would not be here this evening…” The Model 3 being Tesla’s answer for a truly “affordable electric car” priced at $35,000 for the mainstream.
🚘 Currently, Tesla Motors builds their Model S and Model X to the specifications defined by each Buyer as they order their Custom TESLAs. Currently the Tesla production-line is delivering over 4,100 Tesla cars per month, a bit over 50,000 cars/year during 2015. Next year Model S production is planned to ramp-up to 100,000 cars/year. In 2018 Tesla will begin ramping-up their new Model 3 affordable, $35,000 car for the masses, in effort to satisfy some portion of the 325,000 reservations it received within a week of the Model-3 REVEAL on 4/1/16.
🚘 That said, let’s build our Model S Car with a good selection of features, as Tesla decided that they are building each Car for each Buyer, “Build-to-Order” plan, not the reverse. Many other car manufacturers produce cars with company designed options, filling Car Lots with large inventories of Cars they Hope the folks will desire.
🚘 First Step is to decide about the 70 kWh Battery or the 90 kWh Battery. The larger 90 kWh battery pack will provide more power and greater Range (miles) per Full Charge. In gasoline terms, do we want a Larger “Fuel Tank” or a smaller one. Since Electric Vehicles are charged in one’s residential garage, and when on the highways, the number of Tesla SuperChargers, it’s charger infrastructures of 615 current Stations, is not fully developed; therefore we’d recommend the Longest-Range battery available, to mitigate the issue of fewer Fast-Fueling (Charger) locations.
🚘 Several years from now, having the Largest Battery [largest fuel tank] may be not as important a consideration, as it is today. Therefore, lets select the 90 kWh Battery. Next, do we recommend 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. With the Model S there are several combinations of choices, for battery size and 2-Wheel or All-Wheel drive. The 90D gives an excellent balance of Range, Power, and 4-Wheel drive.
🚘 TESLA’s Model S 90D All-Wheel drive is Recommended as displayed above. If one desired greater performance, then the P90D could have been selected for a $20,000 premium. The Model S 90D selection is provides an excellent balance of power and range with a base price of $89,000. Let’s recommend this model.
🚘 Next, let’s select the exterior Paint Color, Interior treatments, Panoramic Roof and Wheels. Let’s pick fire engine RED for the Car’s exterior color, a $1500 extra, the panoramic all glass roof for $1500, Next Gen Leather for $2500, standard wheels, Dark Ash wood interior treatment, and the Black Headliner. This brings the Model S price to $98,000 which includes the $3000 Premium interior package shown below.
🚘 TESLA’s Model S: An Important Option to consider is their High Amp Charger package, also known as the Dual-Charger package for $1500. This electronics package is [simply] a more powerful AC-to-DC [internal, under the hood] Converter. If you do not have this High Amp package, you will be trapped at an annoyingly “Very Slow Fill Rate” particularly, when you’re in a hurry during the day. [My guess Tesla will eventually include this as “Standard” equipment.]
🚘 Think about the number of times you’re Driving around town on ¼Tank. This High Amp Kit permits the Car to be Charged at TWICE the RPH rate (range per hour) with a Public Charger, or your Garage. (in Technical terms for your electrician, the Power requirements: a 100Amp, 240v AC dedicated circuit.) When you Plug into this high power circuit, it permits a FAST-Charge Rate of 60 miles of Range Per Hour, or 60 minutes of Charging, this is RPH. Therefore, plugging-in over night, with 3 hours of charging we’d add 180 miles of driving Range. With the 90 kWh battery, in 3-5 hours we’d get a complete Fill-Up of power for the next days’ driving. This is important, BUT more importantly, is “Filling” your TESLA at a Curb-side Public Charger for 20 miles of Range with only 20 minutes of charging. [We are now at $99,500 for this Car, but we’re not quite done. There are several other Options to consider.]
🚘 TESLA’s Model S AutoPilot Convenience Feature. This package is an on-board Software package installed onto the Car’s Computer System. The Hardware is already included with all Tesla cars. AutoPilot operates by assisting the Driver to stay in-Lane on highways, assists in changing lanes by using its 360º array of sensors to guide the Car when you want to change lanes, it also checks for any cars in front or you, plus left & right sides, making sure there is ample and safe distance from the car in front, and adjusting speed up-or-down, to maintain a safe margins. This system also provides for automated Parallel Parking. Tesla as been improving the Tesla onboard computer, presently up to software upgrade 7.1. Tesla will improve and upgrade the Car’s software from time to time [at 3am] when your sleeping… adding new and improved capabilities.
🚘 Tesla is committed to new innovations for its “AutoPilot” program, adding features, to enhance the Driver experience, for Public safety, plus Driver safety and convenience. Elon Musk says Tesla’s GOAL is to have their Tesla AutoPilot function as a true Autonomous-Driving experience, once fully tested and obtains Government DOT approval, said to be “achieved in several years, less than 5.” My thoughts, if we’re buying a $100k+ car, let’s spend another 2.5% and get this amazing driver-assist. Let’s include this $2500 option. [Our next article may be only about Tesla’s AutoPilot, it’s that exciting.]
🚘 TESLA’s Model S Ultra High Fidelity Sound System. Yes, let’s recommend incredible Sound for a very special Ultra-Quite Car. This system redefines the automotive audio experience, but is more than a bigger amplifier and more speakers. This is a $2500 option likely worth the added expense; having driven the Model S several months ago, the sound system gives the impression that you’ve entered a “Recording Studio Sound Stage.” Pure, Clean, Detailed, Undistorted, Sound, surrounding You and your Passengers, which otherwise is totally quite with No engine noise nor noticeable road-roar, even when driving at expressway speeds. [We are now up to a $104,500 Model S package. Almost done with Options to consider.]
🚘 TESLA’s Model S: Air Suspension is Very Smart. This package permits the Car to be intelligently elevated [further] above street grade, to handle steep driveways or undulating roads, where having greater ground-clearance is safe and beneficial. The onboard Computer system remembers where the driver made this onScreen manual elevation-adjustment; When you drive to this same GPS position, the Car will elevate automatically. When you arrive at your driveway or a restaurant, or where Passengers are unloading, the Driver can manually increase the elevation of the Car, making for an improved exit-experience for yourself, your passengers, and their baggage. We have now completed the Option-package recommendations; the Model S is priced at $108,200 including Tesla’s $1200 delivery charge and documentation costs.
🚘 TESLA’s Model S final configuration including all the chosen options are displayed in the graphic below. Recall, Tesla has chosen the Customize your Car, “Build-to-Order” business model. Our Car with the options we desire are ordered with a $2500 refundable deposit; Once your Build-to-Order Custom Car enters the Production Line your $2500 deposit, becomes non-refundable. [Buyers are notified (warned) prior to their deposit going “hard”.] Your car should be ready for delivery in about 6 weeks based on Tesla’s current back-log of orders to be filled, or thereafter if we chose a later delivery date, giving consideration for Tesla’s then Production delay.
🚘 TESLA’s Model S: Final Configuration with Recommended Options, earns an EPA rating of 99 eMPG, the “electric” equivalency of MPG. When charging the Model S with an electric-utility cost of 12¢/kWh, our Fuel-Cost in miles driven is 3.95¢/mile, therefore for 15,000 miles driven, the EPA has determined the Annual Cost is $690. According to the EPA in five years the total cost savings is $9,600 as compared to an equivalent Gasoline Powered car. [There is extensive testing performed by the EPA with factory interaction to establish fair EPA Disclosure stickers.]
🚘 In Sum, assuming the Federal Government continues its $7,500 Tax Incentive, combined with the $9,600 five year savings in fuel cost, we’d experience an Overall Savings of $17,100 in Five Years and if she retained the Car for 8 years, we’d save another $5,760 for 3 more years, reaching the 8-year warranty expiration. Our new Tesla Model S car’s cost is $108,200 delivered, (less $17,100 and $5,760) Savings Total of $22,860 for a Model S net cost $85,340 which had an 8 Year [unlimited milage] Battery warranty, and 8 years on the Motor and Drive unit.
Tesla Model X Purchase Summary with Options is consistent with the Model S choices outlined above. Apparently, the four items below, are Options at an extra [$6500] cost for the Model S, however, for Model X these same items are “Standard” and “included” in the base price of the Car: (A) All Glass Panoramic Roof [$1500] (B) 20″ Premium Wheels [$2500] (C) Black Alcantara Headliner (D) Smart Suspension [$2500]. If visiting http://www.Tesla.com in their Design Studio for the Model X, there are selections for added Seating for up to 7 passengers, otherwise the Model X seats 5 comfortably.
Compare Tesla Model S with Model X Physical Specifications. When examining the specifications of these two Cars, the Model X external Car Body is longer in length and wider in width; Either Car Body is attached to the exact same Wheel Base Frame. Without getting into the weeds, both Cars have the exact same wheel-base, front wheel tracking, and rear wheel tracking. However, there are nine important differences worth mentioning listed below
1⃣ Model X Curb Weight is 5,271 Pounds, Heavier by 624 pounds, surprisingly
2⃣ Model X Length, overall is 16’6″, Longer by about 2.3″
3⃣ Model X Width, overall, Mirrors folded is 7’5″, Wider by about 4.2″
4⃣ Model X Ground Clearance is 7.55″, Higher Above-Ground by 1.9″
5⃣ Model X Shoulder Room is 60.7″, Wider by 3.0″, noticeable by Big folks
6⃣ Model X Leg Room Average is 39.8″, Longer by 0.4″, no one will notice
7⃣ Model X Head Room is 41.7″, Higher by 2.9″, noticeable by Tall folks
8⃣ Model X Hip Room Rear Seats is 59.0″, Wider by 4.3″, noticeable by Big folks
9⃣ Model X Cargo Room is 77 cu.ft., Larger by 46 cu.ft. due to Hatchback design
🔋 High-Power DC Charger Stations are the future of Electric Vehicles adoption by the masses. This is the Main reason Tesla is building a huge infrastructure of SuperCharger Stations. The drive-in charger lanes deliver 120 kWh of DC directly into Tesla Cars, where you can add 170 miles of Range in 30 minutes, or 100 miles of Range in 20 minutes, etc. Cost and over-heating issues, limit the power levels an EV Car’s internal rectifier-circuit can handle in the vehicle. Therefore, for power requirements over 240vAC at 80 Amps (19.2 kWh), external charging station are more efficient delivering DC power directly into the vehicle’s LiON battery. Combine these factors with the EV industry’s desire to “Refill EV Cars quickly…”
Visit Tesla’s Charging Calculator, to change Energy cost or another parameter. (All samples displayed are set for $0.12/kWh the US average for Electricity) This Link contains the Charging Calculator, then scroll-Down to the Calculator. http://ift.tt/1TifxWQ.
Charging Examples displayed below Demonstrate a Residential Garage setup, using a 100A, 240v AC dedicated circuit, for charging all Tesla Models that contain the $1500 optional High Amperage Charger. This setup in the Car and in the Garage, delivers 19.2 kWh of Power into the Car’s High Amperage Charger which converts the high power AC to DC to energize the massive 1200 pound Tesla Battery pack.
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