'Ludicrous Mode'? Tesla adds power to already-fast Model S

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Tesla Motors says it's adding a new "Ludicrous Mode" to high-performance versions of its Model S electric car.

CEO Elon Musk said Friday that the upgrade will cost $10,000 for new buyers of the Model S, whose base price is $70,000. Current Model S owners will be able to get the upgrade for $5,000 plus the cost of installation in the next six months. It will allow the car to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. Tesla had referred to a previous package as "Insane Mode."

Musk also said Tesla will upgrade the battery pack of the Model S to improve its range, something it plans to do every year. The upgrade will cost about $3,000, and it will give the car a range of about 300 miles on the highway on a single battery charge, about 15 miles more than the current version.

The company also announced a rear-wheel drive version of the Model S that will cost about $5,000 less than the standard model.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/ludicrous-mode-tesla-adds-power-already-fast-model-190936178--finance.html

[cosmicone]

1. Gaming the stock market n/t

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Helmet must already be in line for his

[heaven05]

3. gee! saving the planet

sure does cost a lot of money, Can't afford it, don't know many who can.

[LanternWaste]

4. I said the very same thing in 1983 in regards to personal computers.

I said the very same thing in 1983 in regards to personal computers.

I imagine that, much like the personal computer, prices will come down to well within the level of the median consumer's ability to purchase one... or more if the Tesla-style model of production and distribution becomes a standard.

[heaven05]

6. we can only hope

[gcomeau]

7. Ahem...

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/tesla-model-3-performance-specs-news-rumors/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialm&utm_campaign=cars

Tesla’s Model 3 will boast a 200-mile or greater range, cost $35,000

...

By comparison to the startup automaker’s current vehicles, the most frugal Model S achieves a range of 253 miles while the Roadster can go for 245 miles. Considering the new Model 3 will be far less expensive than both of those EVs, a 200-plus mile range is quite good. Add in the supercharger stations cropping up across the country and range anxiety becomes much less of an issue.

Elon Musk also revealed the second key figure in the Model 3’s attraction, its price. Set for reveal in March of 2016, with deliveries beginning in 2017, the Model 3 will cost just $35,000. That figure will undercut the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt, which will cost $38,000 and have a range of 200 miles.

...

[KeepItReal]

8. Tesla's plan is indeed to create more affordable (BMW 3 series prices) vehicles

So instead of $70k starting price for a Tesla Model S, they envision a $30-40k starting price for a Tesla Model III

I'll be in line for one of those!

[uncle ray]

9. yes, because as we all know, the Tesla model S is the only electric car available.

wait, what's that? you can buy a Nissan Leaf, the highest selling electric car, for 30k? or perhaps you could choose from the ~20 or so other electric or hybrid cars? or one of the dozens of ordinary fuel efficient cars that are available? bus tickets and bikes are cheap too, but if you want to "save the planet" in class, you're gonna pay for the privilege.

personally, i'm thrilled that in 2014 35000 people who i don't personally know shelled out 70k or more to support the technology. their purchases help do what startup auto makers since Preston Tucker have dreamed of doing: upsetting the status quo in the auto industry. the premium price for the new ludicrous mode is probably much more than what it actually costs to increase performance, that money will go into further refining the technology. i'd rather people who are filthy rich buy high dollar high performance electric cars than, say, a lambo.

the technology isn't free, if you're going to wait until electric cars are the same price as gasoline cars, you're going to be waiting a long time.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. I bought a used Leaf

a 2012 SL for about $20,000 off the original MSRP. It had 9500 miles on it.

I love it. Drive it to work every day. Current range is about 75-80 miles. The 2016 model will have a range of 100 miles, and the 2017 is supposed to be 200 miles, coming out around that same time as Chevy Bolt and Model S. So in two years you will have three cars at least with 200 mile ranges. This is one instance in which leasing makes sense. Pick up a 2-3 year lease, and by the time you have to turn the car in, the newest models will have 100 more miles of range.

BEVs are whisper quiet, have robust pick up, and with no transmission, oil pump, head gasket, exhaust systems, water pumps, radiators, electronic ignition, fuel pumps, and a few hundred less moving parts, are quite low maintenance.

BEVs are the future.

[PersonNumber503602]

20. Do you have a second car, or is that all you have?

[Kelvin Mace]

23. Yes, a Sentra

But we have alway had two cars. The Sentra is for the time we need range. These days we drive it about once a week. Long term will see it replaced with a Volt.

[PersonNumber503602]

25. I would like to do something like that someday.

Have an all electric car for local travel, and a hybrid for longer range.

[relayerbob]

19. Got A Volt last year

Best car I've ever had. 90% of the time I run pure electric, but has gas for trips, and decent (not great) gas mileage. Electric cars won't really be viable for long distances until they can change batteries on the road quickly. You may get 200-300 miles a charge, but you are done driving for a while after that. At this point, to me, Volts are the perfect alternative.

[olddots]

5. cost per mile for a 100.000 $ Tesla is cheaper than a 50.000$ muscle car

I on the other hand can't and won't afford either .

[Kelvin Mace]

13. Cost per mile for my Leaf

is 2 cents a mile, versus 10 cents a mile for my Nissan Sentra.

Buy a used Leaf of Volt, they are quite reasonably priced.

[Hoppy]

10. What is the projected life of the battery to where it won't accept a full charge?

What happens then? Shit-can the entire car? Can the battery be replaced?

[Kelvin Mace]

14. Nissan warrants the Leaf to 75% capacity

for 8 years. The batteries can be replaced, and by the time they need it, they will be WAY cheaper than when the car was new. BEV's price curve is much more like computers than automobiles.

[truthisfreedom]

21. The battery can actually be replaced in minutes

Tesla has demonstrated a battery replacement station as an alternative to charging!

http://m.

[Hoppy]

22. That being the case, why not buy a second battery for long trips.?

[Adrahil]

26. I've advocated this approach for some time.

Adopt 2 or 3 standard form factors for batteries.

You buy into the program at purchase. Then you just pay the swap fee whenever you need to swap on the road. You could still charge it, of course, but it would make long range trips a viable option. Do it right and the driver doesn't even need to get out of the car.

[NobodyHere]

27. Tesla is likely abandoning battery swaps.

[lancer78]

11. Wonder if you can go to plaid

in this thing. With 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, I wouldn't be surprised if your brains started going into your feet.

[Zorro]

15. Insane mode 3.1 seconds 0-60 is stupid fast

2.8 seconds might truly cause blackouts.

[Lizzie Poppet]

24. Right up there with truly fast supercars.

The insane torque of electrics + all-wheel-drive + good traction control = brutal acceleration.

Among production cars (with any real manufacturing volume), there are a few faster cars. A Nissan GT-R NISMO, which has 600hp and some of the most sophisticated AWD traction control there is goes 2.7. A Porsche 911 Turbo S, with a terrific power-to-weight ratio, can do 2.5. The all-conquering Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid can manage 2.3 (but isn't really a volume production model, as they only made a thousand of them). But when you consider that this Tesla is a 5000 pound luxury sedan, its acceleration is simply mind-blowing.

[Recursion]

16. 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds is faster than free fall

Holy cow.

[Spider Jerusalem]

17. They mean "quick", not "fast"

a car that can accelerate from 0-60 in 2.8 secs is quick; one with a top speed of 220mph is fast. They are not the same thing.

[Android3.14]

18. A hummingbird is quick, a jet is fast

Thanks for the clarification.

[goldent]

28. Sorry, but I'm unimpresed

I think it is great what Tesla has done with electric cars, but selling a $10000 "upgrade" to make your car go 0-60 in 2.8 seconds is BS in my view. Might as well get a gasoline car if that is your thing.

[uncle ray]

31. you'd be hard pressed to find a luxury sedan that could beat that time.

and when you do find one, it will cost much more.

[goldent]

32. I'd be much more impressed by Telsa producing a more affordable electric car

which is often talked about but not yet seen. The ability to accelerate at such a rate is "cool" but not very useful to 99% of us. I guess the justification is that if you can afford to buy a Tesla, you can afford to pay $10K more to do stunts.

[benld74]

29. How about a Henry Ford Mode ???????

One that is affordable to the masses instead of the few????

[uncle ray]

30. they already make one, it's called a Focus.

seems ol' Henry's got that covered.