Tesla Model X SUV finally arrives with 257-mile range, 92 mpg
After a years-long wait, The first handful of Model X crossovers were handed over to customers last night at Tesla's factory in Fremont, Calif.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors Inc., introduces the Model X car at the company's headquarters Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Fremont, Calif.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/File
The Tesla Model X electric crossover will achieve a maximum 257 miles of range in production-ready form.
Official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency range and efficiency ratings for the Model X were posted yesterday, ahead of the first deliveries.
The first handful of Model X crossovers were handed over to customers last night at Tesla's factory in Fremont, California.
So far, ratings for only two Model X variants are listed, although more models may be added at a later date.
The 257-mile range rating applies to the Model X 90D, which features all-wheel drive and the 90-kilowatt-hour battery pack unveiled for the Model S back in July.
This model is also rated at 91 MPGe combined (90 MPGe city, 94 MPGe highway).
Tesla will also offer a Model X P90D performance model at launch, with slight decreases in efficiency.
The P90D is rated at 250 miles of range--confirming Tesla's previous estimate--and 89 MPGe combined (89 MPGe city, 90 MPGe highway).
Perhaps not surprisingly, the larger and heavier Model X has lower range and efficiency ratings than a comparable Model S.
The Model S P90D is rated at 270 miles of range and 100 MPGe combined (95 MPGe city, 106 MPGe highway), while the Model S P90D is rated at 253 miles and 93 MPGe combined (89 MPGe city, 98 MPGe highway).
That difference will likely be maintained in terms of performance as well.
A leaked online configurator for the Model X P90D shows a claimed 0 to 60 mph time of 3.2 seconds with the optional "Ludicrous" mode.
A Model S P90D so equipped will do 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.
The first production Model X crossovers made available to customers will all be fully-loaded P90D Signature Series models.
Base price was previously listed as $132,000, before any Federal, state, or local incentives.
Beyond that, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that a Model X will generally cost $5,000 more than a comparably-equipped Model S.
Tesla plans to unveil the Model X in production-ready form tonight, and deliver the first examples to their owners.
However, it may still take some time for Tesla to fully ramp-up production, and for the Model X to become more widely available.