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

o very good driving performance o high drive and driving comfort o special body with hinged doors o Trailer coupling with practical towing load series

▪ high engine power not permanently available (power reduction as heat protection)

▪ high engine power not permanently available (power reduction as heat protection)

Of course, the Model X can also drive, and quite comfortably, without becoming a juice. The acceleration from the stand is impressive, thanks to all-wheel drive, the over 2.5 tons are catapulted to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds.

Since the launch of the big Tesla SUV in 2015, the Model X has gotten a lot of electric competition. To this day, its combination of space, performance and reach is unmatched. EFAHRER has tested how the Model X performs in 2020 with the basic "Maximum Range" variant.

Although on the market for years, the Model X is still the only large SUV built on a pure electric platform. The competition relies either on considerably smaller dimensions (Jaguar I-Pace: 4.70 metres in length, Model X: 5.05 metres) or on platforms that give space with their basic design for combustion engines (Mercedes EQC with a length of 4.76 metres relies on the platform of the GLC, the Audi e-tron with a length of 4.90 metres shares the platform with Q5 and Q7).

For this reason, no second electric SUV offers such space as the Model X: not only is the Ami the only car in the competitive environment with three rows of seats (either six or seven seats), it offers the largest trunk with 660 liters, under the front hood again a large compartment, in which in addition to the charging cable fits a large bag in addition to the charging cable , and even when the last row of seats is in use, there is still plenty of storage space behind the seats. None of the competitors can even compete.

The adjustment is electrical, but there are no degrees of freedom as with the front seats. For example, the angle between the seat and the back remains the same, which is only a small limitation to finding the right position, but at the same time means that the backrests of row two do not change, but only let forward. Despite the dimensions of the car, therefore, no long objects fit into the six-seater Model X: For the transport of a 65-inch TV (the box measures 1.65 meters in width), we had to organize another car.

Most test reports (as well as our previous tests of the Tesla top models) use the performance variants, which impress with performance values far beyond the 600 hp and the associated extreme acceleration values. Tesla puts a lot of effort into the evolution of the performance models and even delivers subsequent software updates that unlock performance again (for example, with the Ludicrous Plus mode in the Model S, which improved the 0-100 time to 2.7 seconds at best).

However, even the range customers will not be able to complain about low performance: 310 kW (422 hp) is enough to accelerate to country road speed for less than five seconds in the 2.5-tonne SUV – which is significantly faster than an Audi etron. Tesla can't lump in with the top speed: The supposedly weak Model X also keeps up with the continuously 250 km/h fast combustion premium class.

And unlike previously tested performance Teslas, the current Model X can maintain performance for a long time without overheating and therefore throttling.

Finally, a sensitive limitation is the headlights: in the 100th 000-EuroClass are mainly used today by LED and laser headlights with matrix subdivision and dynamic recess of oncoming traffic. The Tesla still stands in the light in 2010: The low-beam automatic knows only the steps high beam or dipped beam. You can certainly live with this light up to the target speed – but if you like to drive fast at night, you should rely on Audi, BMW, Daimler or Porsche.

This is where all the advantages come together: the Model X continues to drive at a lower cost than any other top-class electric car. In the meantime, Model S and Model X are supplied with an adapter that allows them to refuel on any CCS charger: The Teslas achieve the highest possible charging power (around 160 kilowatts in the test) on the ionity, Innogy and Allego chargers in Germany. The Tesla Superchargers in this country only supply a good 120 kilowatts. However, the expansion to the new Supercharger generation V3 with up to 250 kW of charging capacity has already begun. Overall, CCS compatibility means that the big Tesla is unrivaled lylessly flexible when charging. Assistance systems - by way of autopilot

In the first Model S, which we were able to test, the silentness of the electric drive was still a curse.

Of course, there are many things that an Audi e-tron, a Mercedes EQC and a Jaguar I-Pace can do better than the Model X. However, given the electric range, the space available and the possible towing load, the European E-SUVs are not a real competition to the Model X: the Tesla is in its own class. Contrary to expectations, the really big technical advantage of the Americans today does not manifest itself in autopilot at all, but rather in the drive: the efficiency and range of the Model X are still unattainable for The Europeans five years after its market launch, even though their cars are significantly smaller. This advantage easily comforts the details of small negligence.

• very good driving performance • high drive and driving comfort • special body with hinged doors • Trailer coupling with practical towing load series

• High engine power not permanently available (power reduction as heat protection)

Of course, the Model X can also drive, and quite comfortably, without becoming a juice. The acceleration from the stand is impressive, thanks to all-wheel drive, the over 2.5 tons are catapulted to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds.

Presentation: Its rear doors make the SUV unique Visually oriented the front of the Model X strongly to the Model S or vice versa. The sideline of the Model X is much higher. The new Stromer offers space for seven passengers on three rows of seats, at least optionally. The really special thing about the Model X – besides the electric drive – are the rear doors: the so-called "falcon wings" open upwards. In addition, the driver's door opens automatically as soon as you approach the car, and it closes automatically again. But don't worry: According to Tesla, sensors are supposed to prevent other cars from getting bumps or fingers pinched. Prices start at 90. 400 euros.

Driving: The electric motor pushes surreal AUTO BILD has driven the currently no longer offered model P90D. One of the aha effects at the wheel of a Tesla Model X is the brutal acceleration – especially in the American top variant P90D, which boasts a peak power of 773 hp. Compared to the Model S, however, the significant extra weight is noticeable: the Model X weighs 2441 kilograms empty – 333 more than the sedan. Nevertheless, the thrust is downright surreal: the 100 km/h mark falls silently after only 3.4 seconds. And while the acceleration in higher speed ranges decreases significantly (you should not get involved in longer motorway races), jerky intermediate acceleration is one of the tricks that this electric car has in stock, which are just as superfluous as it is often demonstrated. The chassis of the Model X is a further development of the Model S, and so it is. Despite the vehicle height and the increased weight, the crossover remains safely in the lane even when cornering fast. The three-stage power steering is pleasing in medium and increased steering modes, but in the smoothest mode it seems rather insensitive. The suspension comfort is above average, even on demanding cobblestones. The chassis can be fixed electronically at different heights. All-wheel drive is standard.

Specifications: Up to 611 hp Tesla Model X Long Range • Engine: 2 three-phase asynchronous motors • Power: 422 hp • Drive: all-wheel drive • Battery capacity: 100 kWh • Range (NEDC): 565 km • Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 4.9 s • Price: 90. 400 euros. Tesla Model X Ludicrous Performance • Engine: 2 three-phase asynchronous motors • Power: 611 hp • Drive: all-wheel drive • Battery capacity: 100 kWh • Range (NEDC): 542 km • Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 3.0 s • Price: 98. 300 euros.