Tesla Model S P100D is the quickest production car on sale

TESLA has announced its quickest car yet, the Tesla Model S P100D with Ludicrous Mode. It comes with 100kWh batteries that power two motors, which can propel the electric car from 0-100km/h in just 2.7secs.

This makes it the quickest production car currently on sale, an achievement all the more notable considering the all-wheel drive Model S P100D costs considerably less than any two-seater hypercar with similar straight line performance. What’s more, it has four doors, seats up to five adults and has a heap of cargo space.

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While the P100D’s acceleration is the headline act, perhaps more significant is its estimated 613km range between charges, the longest of any production all-electric vehicle so far.

This is also 104kms more than the current Model S flagship, the P90D.

If you’ve already ordered a Tesla Model S P90D but yet to take delivery, you can upgrade it to P100D spec for an extra $13,000, which suggests the new model will retail from around $215,000. Existing P90Ds can also be retrofitted with the new 100kWh packs, though this will cost around $26,000 because of recycling costs.

Tesla boss Elon Musk calls the 100kWh battery and P100D performance “very profound milestones” that he thinks will help convince people that electric is the future.

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However the company appeared a bit more cautious in its statement announcing the P100D to the world, where it warned: “While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development. Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.”

Whatever happens, significant advances in electric vehicle technology are being announced more than new smart phones these days so it will be interesting to see how long the P100D remains at the forefront.

The Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode is available to order now, though Tesla is yet to announce full details on local pricing and specifications. Delivery periods will vary based on location.