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Tesla Model X 100D: The X-Files
TESLA MODEL X 100D
THE X-FILES
Words: Alessandro Marrone
Photography: Andy Williams
I had tested the potential of the Model X, the first Tesla I had ever driven, half a dozen months ago, but given the amount of information diametrically opposed to what I usually get used to, finding myself again dealing with the big SUV created by the mind of Elon Musk is the best way to analyze better what the Tesla project represents, the ambitious vision of a world populated by electric cars. After leaving the Design Studio in Milan and after being thrown out of the unsustainable traffic of the metropolis, I finally manage to concentrate on what I will have available for the following week, a period of time that may seem short, but which in reality is perfectly suitable at least to understand if an electric car can be used on a daily basis – especially without living with a constant recharging anxiety.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Model X had literally stunned me, even though I could not tell you exactly what had left me more shocked above the main things. Maybe that movement in complete silence, without even the slight rustling of the air on the soft lines of its wedge-shaped body, or perhaps that spaceship-like interior further enhanced by the sky above thanks to the larger panoramic roof in the list. Or probably it’s all thanks to the feeling you get when dealing with something new, unusual – the first time that you never forget. And its flavor remains impressed for a long time, increasing that desire that these days should not end so quickly.
A few months ago I praised the big Model X and the possibility to analyze more in detail this technological discovery spit out of some sort of science fiction dream of the most extreme nerds galvanizes me a lot. The Model X has three different models in the list, represented by the 75D, the entry level with a 75 kWh battery unit and an estimated range of 417 km, the 100D like the one of my test, which always has two engines but more powerful, reaching 100 kWh and with a range of about 565 km. At the top of the list there’s the P100D, even more powerful and rich in specifications, with a 100 kWh battery unit consisting in 3 electric motors and 542 km of range (which will be less, given its performance, like the 3.1 seconds for 0-100 kph!). For each of these we talk about exclusively electric propulsion, with an engine that takes care of the front axle and one that gives energy to the rear axle. With Tesla you have to adopt a whole other type of terminology, start from scratch, and it’s here that you realize that it represents a real change. The traction is therefore displaced on all four wheels and there is no gearbox, but a single “gear” that moves forward and a reverse gear. This means that the “torque” (and I write it like this, because in reality it is a pushing force) is immediate and total, another aspect that surprises you everytime you push hard on the throttle. Translating the numbers of 100D batteries into figures, we’re talking about 538 horses and 970 Nm – did I get the idea?
The Model X is able to go fast as a sports car, but does not aim to annihilate a few GTs at the traffic light, it rather aspires to something more substantial and far more difficult. It weighs two and a half tons and can be configured with 5 (standard), 6 (+ € 6,400) or 7 (+ € 3,200) seats, and just about the rear occupants, the maximum attention for a trip in the future is reserved to the opening mechanism of the rear doors called falcon wings, which need just 30cm to unfold upwards depending on any side obstacles. They are equipped with various sensors and a complex mechanism that can be operated by the large on-board display, by the key or by the special buttons arranged on the central pillars. The Model X could have a sober look outside, also because the need to keep the aerodynamic coefficient low in order not to cope with a high energy consumption, but once on board you will have access to a brand new world.
The front doors open as soon as you approach and close with the pressure of the brake pedal – at that point the car is on and ready to go. Just move the “gearshift” lever intto Drive and start playing, but first make sure to check everything related to your on-board comfort. In these terms there is an almost infinite number of options, choosing the height of the suspension, ambient lighting, the possibility of slowly moving the car forward once the brake pedal is released (creep) and so on. Everything is controlled by the mammoth 17-inch touch screen display, except for the emergency indicators and the button that will open the glove box placed in front of the passenger. Through the display, also adjustable in split screen mode, you can easily switch from the air conditioner to the vehicle settings, the recharge and range statistics, Internet, radio (connected to Spotify) and then the impressive satellite navigation system powered by Google maps, which is able to calculate any stops along the set route, indicating the most suitable charging stations according to the itinerary. At the moment, in Italy, there are 26 superchargers, 190 columns and as many as 400 destination chargings (accommodation facilities that offer charging stations affiliated with Tesla), so stay sure that remaining stuck on the side of the road is extremely difficult. The batteries are guaranteed for 8 years and with unlimited mileage, but now enough with the boring part, the time has come to set aside theory and devote our spirit to practice some driving.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The most common mistake I hear when talking about Tesla is to accuse it of lack of emotion. Let’s remember that we are talking about an SUV (in this case, a sedan in the case of the Model S) and then a car that has as primary objective comfort and practicality. There are some high-performance SUVs out there and certainly do not wink at wallets that are not thick enough to allow their owners to have a proper sports car in the garage – Tesla does not renew anything, Tesla revolutionizes everything, and if the Roadster will keep its promises, then we will sit at a table to address a very thorny argument and which will split car guys in two factions. The Model X is an object that comes from the future, difficult to understand unless you have a chance to experience it, going to discover the many facets of an overall connectivity with the car, capable of transmitting your position to your smartphone, the recharging status, without forgetting the entertaining bits such as the remote opening and the Summon command, designed to move the car independently back and forth a few meters, but used purely to impress friends and relatives (I know you’ll do that!). Driving it is relaxing, pampered on soft leather armchairs and in absolute silence. This time there is not a grumpy V8 to delight my eardrums, so I open Spotify and start a playlist of the right ones, enjoying the high quality of the audio system. Even Metallica say that, while they play Diamond Head’s song “It’s Electric”. No doubt, it is electric, but it is also intelligent, so as to be able to drive alone, on the motorway as on secondary roads, analyzing the surrounding traffic, road signs and even crossings, managing in complete autonomy throttle, brake and steering.
But I do not want to live in a world populated by machines, I love cars and then I regain control of the situation and pretend to wear the role of Captain Kirk, pressing the right pedal all the way. And here comes the X-Factor, I will never get used to such a response, to that immediate and constant push that drives me away followed by a slight hiss. The brake pedal is powerful too, there is very little body roll to confirm the fact that when you are in a hurry, the Model X will not make you regret the Porsche left in the garage. Many people turn around at your passage, nobody can resist the falcon-winged doors, but try to bring a skeptical friend on board and show him what it means to speed up with the fastest appliance in the world. The range left drops visibly, my fault, but I do not care, this big computer on wheels has already predicted that a pit-stop of twenty minutes will enough – time to have a coffee – recharge the batteries and it will be ready to grind other miles. There was not a moment of uncertainty during my days at the helm of the Model X, on no occasion I feared to consume all the batteries and end up in a frantic search for some power socket. Musk has done his homework well and, like it or not, a Tesla can perfectly represent the car you are looking for your home-work or home-vacations that will be part of the 80% of your life. It also knows how to entertain, after all the remaining 20% would still have dedicated to a standard sports car as we intend, no SUV would be contemplated. And so why live with blinders, in fear that you may like it, because for what it offers € 113,000 is not crazy money, even if at the moment we are not able to evaluate a second hand situation. Sales network will increase, as well as the superchargers and then, unless you live scattered on some mountain village lost in the woods, the Model X makes sense. Do not judge something you do not know, but try to understand what it represents and what it could do for you. Do not be overwhelmed by the unknown, you will be amazed positively. I want to believe.
TESLA MODEL X
Layout – 100 kWh battery unit – all-wheel-drive
Engine – two electric motors – estimated range 565 Km (NEDC)
Transmission – direct drive 0 gears
Power – 538,95 hp / 970,86 Nm
Weight – 2.389 kg
Acceleration – 4,9 sec.
Top Speed – 250 kph
Price – from € 113.550
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