A new world
Tesla Model X P90D in the first test
The world's first all-electric SUV. The first electric car with all-wheel drive, up to seven seats, up to just under 500 kilometers range and with a door concept that invites you to sit in front of it with a folding chair and only watch the doors opening and closing. A show. Like the whole company itself. A good show. And with the Model X, the second mass-produced electric vehicle, a continuation of the successful first part of the TESLA story. Let's get into it for a moment.
TESLA gave mein-auto-blog the opportunity to take the first Model X test vehicles with them on a test lap.
Kinetic masterpiece
The gear selector lever with the Stuttgart roots can be seen, a short push down and the Model X is ready to go. Close the door? The Model X now does this on pedal pressure. Before you can switch the selector lever to D, you have to press the brake. Not uncommon. It is rather unusual for the driver's door, which is still open, to close. As unusual as the tidy and switch-cleaned cockpit of the US electric SUV. A blessing, an unbeatable elegance flows through the cockpit. And of all things for an SUV from the USA. But wait - an SUV? The Model X a cross-country-road all-rounder? The body shape looks more like a van than an SUV.
You have to get used to it a little. But compared to the Model S, the X is the more comfortable one, the one with more headroom and a more airy feeling of space. And with 18 centimeters of ground clearance, it is even accepted among the “big city SUVs”. The others don't offer much more. But you can't help but think: The Model X became an SUV mainly because SUVs are trendy. It's actually a family VAN, with all-wheel drive, lots of space and incredible power. But that would be too long as a “short description”.
When it comes to design, you can argue about the extravagance of the nose shape. At the rear, however, one should agree: it looks good. From the same mould. Everything in shape. We come to the weight and then it becomes really SUV-class. TESLA specifies 2.468 kilograms for the Model X. Quite decent for a 5-meter hummer. The battery packs in the underbody naturally have the largest share. TESLA is currently only offering Model X for Germany with a 90 kWh battery, the largest TESLA battery pack.
2.5 tons in 3.4 seconds at 100 km / h
The P versions of the Model X have a 510 hp electric motor on the rear axle. All Model X also have a 263 hp electric motor on the front axle. The basic model X 90 D manages with 2 x 263 HP. However, the entire drive power is not regulated by the horsepower of the electric motors, but by the performance of the battery and the voltage converter. This leads to the fact that TESLA specifies the basic model X 90D with a system output of 422 HP, the P90D with the “software mode” Ludicrous with 539 HP. And it is precisely this model that puts the facial muscles of the inmates to a serious test in ludicrous mode. The 967 Nm of the P90D balanced the 2.5-tonne E-Brummer to 3.4 km / h within 100 seconds. Without a moment of thought, without interruption of tractive power by a transmission - without mercy for the up to 7 occupants. The electric four-wheel drive transforms any existing one µ in traction and within the minimal timeline in abnormal acceleration. Completely without theater. There is no motor roaring, no cogwheels screeching, no rubber soles whimper for mercy. The precision and mercilessness with which every acceleration request is converted into propulsion is surreal at first.
e-Suvan
The Tesla Model X offers this experience for up to 7 people. Alternatively, a seat layout with 6 individual seats in three rows can be ordered - or a classic 2-3 layout. Anyone who opts for the five-seater gets the propulsion feeling of a Saturn-V moon rocket like a space shuttle. A huge cargo space is available. Not just directly after row two, also in the underbody behind the rear axle's electric motor. The six-seater already has a load volume of 2.180 liters as soon as row 3 is folded down. There is also the trunk under the front hood. Because there is still space there too. Another 187 liters are waiting for luggage. This is how the "e-Suvan”The ideal family vehicle.
Stoic to confident
Whispering softly, with a massive start, Model X pushes it out of the smaller towns along our first test drive. Wide bends, tight bends, roundabouts and speed 100 on the country road. The Model X convinces with binding steering, good feedback and the precision you would expect from a powerful car. 2.5 tons are certainly an argument against driving pleasure, but the fact that this battery pack sits in the floor of the vehicle and thus brings the center of gravity close to the road provides a driving experience far above the classic SUV league. And the US boys even managed to tune the air suspension. The Model X swallows violent bumps confidently to stoically.
TESLA Model X vs Model S
Our driving report for Model S P90D can be found here - also the detailed assessment of the cockpit design and the operating philosophy of the Americans. The Model X can do what the Model S can, but offers significantly more space. Where the Model S lets the driver pull its head in, the A-pillar is steeper on the Model X, the passenger compartment is higher, the huge glass roof conveys irrepressible space and the Falcon Doors for row two are more than just a show. The wide opening hatch opens up an enormous access to the second row.
Conclusion
It is a new world. The electric car is no longer an experiment. With the Model X, it also arrives in the currently most important vehicle segment. At least from the name. An E-SUV - sounds useless like a goiter, but it is exactly my car! (Warning: the author loses objectivity!) Painfully only, the pricing. Progress, performance and comfort - you don't get it for free. € 96.100 is only the base price. The driven performance model P90D costs at least € 131.000. That the SUV (still in parentheses, because I would not use the Model X for off-road driving) with the best drag coefficient on the market (0.24), which can also pull a trailer weighing up to 2.270 kilograms, does not help with the financing of the dream e-car. However, they are arguments to just think again, as is the 4 year guarantee.