American car manufacturer Tesla is raising the bar once
again for electric cars as it introduces the new Model S P85D, an updated
version of its very successful Model S but now equipped with two motors and a
special auto-pilot mode.
On the looks department the P85D is identical to the basic
Model S and is differentiated only with its badges. But under the body lies a
new rear motor which when combined with the cars existing front drive unit can
produce an additional 50 percent of torque. This translates to a 0-60mph
performance of just 3.2 seconds – which is faster than a McLaren F1 supercar
and power output of up to 691hp (470hp at the rear and 221hp up front).
Aside from the blistering performance, the new Model S P85D
also comes with a new standard hardware package that enables autopilot
functionality. This hardware pack will include forward radar, 12 long range
ultrasonic sensors positioned to sense 16 feet around the car in every
direction at all speeds, a forward looking camera and a digitally controlled
electric assist braking system.
This autopilot system will allow the car to stay within a
lane, change lanes with a simple tap of a turn signal and manage speed by
reading road signs and using active traffic aware cruise control.
Tesla is clear to point out that the Autopilot system is not
meant to enable driverless cars. The system may be compared to the Autopilot
mechanism used by pilots in airplanes to increase comfort and safety when
conditions are clear. They added that the system is a way to relieve driver
stress but doesn’t remove the control of the vehicle from the driver.
The Tesla Model S P85D is now available for pre-order and
will be shipped to customers in North America by December while European and
Asian buyers will get the car in the months afterwards.
