Skip to main content

Prepare For The Fastest Tesla Model S Yet

What’s loonier than ludicrous? That’s what we’re waiting to find out as Elon Musk has hinted that an update to the Tesla Model S’s Ludicrous Mode will turn the EV into an even faster Tesla flagship.

Autocar points to a recent tweet from the billionaire inventor that sparks speculation about the Model S’s new acceleration potential:

“There will be a P100D Ludicrous Easter egg [sic] soon that uncorks the full performance.”

The hint is light on details, but considering the latest Ludicrous Mode update on the Model S P100D allowed the car to accelerate to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, we can only imagine what’s on the way. Currently, the Model S P100D sits as the third fastest (accelerating) production car on earth. The Model S falls just behind two hypercars: Ferrari’s LaFerrari, and Porsche’s 918 Spyder. Perhaps Tesla is going for the record this time.

Besides the untold performance boost, the Model S gets a couple new options, including a panoramic glass sunroof that’s at a “five star-plus” safety rating for rollover. Musk said the new roof was, “very hard to develop, but it makes the interior feel amazing.”

Speaking of glass, Tesla also announced it’s getting into the glass development game, sharing technology between Solar City’s new roof panels and the next generation of Tesla vehicles. The first fruits of this new venture will be experienced in Tesla’s upcoming Model S compact EV, due mid-2017 (though delays are expected).

As its stands, the Model S lineup is bigger than ever, with 60, 60D, 75, 75D, 90D, and P100D tiers of charge and performance, but a large price gap exists between the 90D and P100D. If history can be counted on, Tesla will likely introduce a model between the 90D and P100D shortly.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Study: People are giving up popular cars (like the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Civic) for EVs like the Tesla Model 3
This shows Toyota is really behind on selling EVs
ChargePoint Home Flex EV charging station charging a white Tesla in a garage.

While many people of a certain age were led to believe that the future is made up of flying DeLoreans, it turns out that we might not need a flux capacitor after all. As it turns out, the future is here, and it is powered by electricity. Unfortunately for many companies like Toyota, this new age wave of the future capsizes many of their gas-powered sales, making many executives exclaim, "Great Scott!"

Tesla owns four of the top ten spots for used EVs
According to a new study by CarMax, from February 2022 to February 2023, search volume for terms containing "electric" increased twofold. Beyond that, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in May 2022 found that 42% of Americans say they would be very or somewhat likely to seriously consider an electric vehicle for their next car. Unsurprisingly, the spike in interest in electric cars coincided with the jump in gas prices from $3.54 to $4.20 from February to March of 2022. Despite whatever changes the future has in store, it seems people still want to hold on to their hard-earned money.

Read more
Lucid takes aim at Tesla Model 3, Model Y with $50K EV plans
Lucid may have started with premium models, but going head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y was always the plan
Lucid Air Sapphire on the road

Outside of discussing dreams, if you aren't familiar with what 'Lucid' represents in the world, don't worry; you're not alone, and we're here to help. In short, Lucid is the new Tesla... sort of. Lucid is an electric car manufacturer founded in 2007 under the name Atieva in part by former Tesla Motors VP Bernard Tse. Beyond their co-founder, Lucid's CEO, Peter Rawlinson, is also a former Tesla employee who served as chief engineer of the Model S at Tesla. Almost a decade later, in 2016, Atieva was rebranded as Lucid Motors and announced its first car, the Lucid Air, was set for production to compete at the luxury level against top-tier and expensive models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and, of course, Tesla. But, Lucid's CEO recently interviewed with ABC News and announced that Lucid's newest project will target not only a much lower and affordable pricepoint but also the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
Lucid wants to appeal to your heart, not just your pocket
It seems clear that electric cars are the wave of the future, with a myriad of benefits to not only the world but also to our health as well. But, to get the majority of drivers on board, electric cars will need to offer more. Clearly aware of this, in the interview with ABC News, Rawlinson spoke reverently of the lure electric cars possess, saying, "The feeling of the road, the feedback through the steering, the instantaneous torque - there is romance with an electric car." Beyond just an emotional appeal, the other issue is cost.

Until recently, playing in the air of pure electric, was a rich person's game. The cheapest offering from Lucid currently is the Air Pure, which starts at a lofty $82,400. Asked about the idea of building a more affordable all-electric car, Rawlingson replied, "That is exactly why I go to work. I am not here to build an expensive car that only rich people can afford." He went on to explain that the reason Lucid began their company selling high-priced people movers was because it was "the only way I could make the business work financially."

Read more
Pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG GT starts at $135K — here’s what you get
The Mercedes-AMG GT offers superior power and luxury
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe

2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe_02 Rear 3/4 View MBUSA / MBUSA

While a portion of the population may believe that the only new cars worth getting excited about are EVs these days, as it turns out, ICE vehicles are still around, and what's more, some of them are far more exhilarating than your average Tesla model update. While Mercedes-Benz is known for making lavish luxury vehicles, the tenor of those cars tends to get ratcheted up a few notches whenever Mercedes teams up with its in-house performance brand AMG. Now, the second generation of the incredible Mercedes-AMG GT is available for sale, and the world is all the better for it.

Read more