Categrory: Engine Power

Demand and interest surrounding electric cars may be rising rapidly, but for now, that interest remains niche. In 2017, electric car sales in the UK accounted for less than 1 percent of total market sales, so the righteous path to a zero emissions future is clearly going to be a long one. Tesla is an electric carmaker that is helping accelerate this change, challenging how cars are sold and serviced and fundamentally shifting our perception of what an EV can do. Time to find out if its Model X family SUV can be both disrupter and a genuinely useful family car.

The Tesla Model X is the first all-electric SUV to go on sale and has been developed by a self-proclaimed tech company rather than a car company. You’d think such pioneering positioning would permit a degree of stylistic flair, but the silhouette of the Model X is confusingly conservative. There may be a lack of cooling intakes up front batteries require less cooling than an internal combustion engine – to help clean up the front end and create a drag coefficient of 0.24 (the same as a BMW i8 sports car), but the body to glass ratio looks lumpen and top heavy.

This being an electric car, with all the batteries stored beneath the floor, it also means there’s an additional boot up front where you’d normally find a traditional internal combustion engine.

Tesla considers itself to be more tech company than car maker, and that makes a huge difference when it comes to presenting in-car connectivity. Within an automotive heartbeat, it’s as if this Silicon Valley start-up has re-written the rule book with its giant portrait-shaped touchscreen that is also voice activated, 4G connected and controls everything from music to live maps, temperature to car charging times.

Performance & Handling 7/10

Driving any Tesla needs to be experienced to be believed. Because an electric motor’s maximum torque that’s the pulling force you feel as you prod the accelerator pedal is produced in the same instant the motor is prompted, the Model X bursts off the line with hushed, gearless, unflustered all-at-once progress. Even the slowest (these things are relative) 75D can hit 60mph in 4.9 seconds, but the range-topping P100D with optional Ludicrous Speed upgrade can hit the same speed in 2.9 seconds. What’s almost more impressive is the fact the car builds speed just as quickly when on the move.

In a similar setup to the Tesla Model S, the Model X uses two electric motors and a lithium ion battery pack that is cradled within an extruded aluminium chassis, reinforced with highstrength steel. The power unit comes in a choice of 75kW and 100kW capacities, though the range-topping P100D develops the equivalent of 761bhp and 722lb ft of torque – that’s more than a McLaren 720S.

Unfortunately, handling is far from McLaren-esque but still secure. The battery mass may be evenly concentrated low beneath the cabin floor, which makes it willing to change direction, but this remains a family SUV that weighs in excess of 2.5 tonnes. The standard issue air suspension is both firm and height adjustable at speed, ensuring all body movements remain in check, though that mass does make the car feel squirmy under heavy braking. If you’re a driver who still loves the involvement of a chassis in this new era of electrification, a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid or Audi Q7 e-tron are more exciting steers.

Don’t think about off-roading either. Instead, it’s better to enjoy this car in town or on the motorway or at high-speed cruises, which serves to highlight the instant, linear acceleration plus the impressive wind and tyre refinement, providing you haven’t ordered the optional 22inch rims.

Given regulatory approval, every Model X is also capable of self-driving functionality, but to benefit you need to spec the Enhance AutoPilot. This helps manage your speed according to the conditions and behaviour of other cars around you, implements steering inputs to maintain your positioning and allows you to change lanes with nothing more than the flick of a turn signal.

Charging your Model X from one of Tesla’s high-capacity, high-speed ‘Superchargers’ can be a more convenient yet expensive option, costing more than £20, but this would be the electric equivalent of accessing high octane fuel.

Thanks to fewer mechanical parts and ‘over the air’ updates, we expect servicing frequency and costs to be reduced. The battery and drive unit are protected by an eight-year/unlimitedmileage warranty, while the rest of the car has a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. Further, the role of active communities such as the Tesla Motors Club will be invaluable to potential new owners, seeking information on everything from software updates to charging infrastructure. Pricing 6/10