Model X - Elon Musk says new SUV model due in 2013

[AnOutsider]

Tesla didn't come up with it, some student group or something did. They just slapped the Tesla badge on it.

[trevorlsciact]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfHGDoniU0



Very interesting, had no idea about it being called the Model X

[trevorlsciact]

It's called the Model X

[PopSmith]

Some cool/interesting tidbits from the video:

@~1:24 - Concerning Model X - "I'm hopeful we'll unveil a prototype towards the end of next year".

@~2:34 "What do batteries cost? Is it close to the $6-$700/kWh range?"
Answer (Starts @2:45): "A Tesla battery pack is substantially less than that but we can't comment on exact numbers but it's much less than that."

@~3:15 Musk mentions that while the Roadster contains slightly modified laptop cells, the Model S cells are "highly modified" and "the internals are quite different".

I know it's not official yet but "Model X", as a name, sounds rather boring and bland like most SUVs.

[TEG]

Other (non-Tesla) "X" models:

Zap-X (based on Lotus AP-X concept):
http://www.zapworld.com/zap-x-electr...tility-vehicle


BMW Model-X:
http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/07/10/ru...model-x-style/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_X-Type

[SByer]

Ugh. Skip the SUV and do a wagon / estate car first. Safer, more drive-able, more cargo room, would have more range, and can probably be done off the Model S platform with little modification. A wagon with 400 mile range, and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner.

[stopcrazypp]

Ugh. Skip the SUV and do a wagon / estate car first. Safer, more drive-able, more cargo room, would have more range, and can probably be done off the Model S platform with little modification. A wagon with 400 mile range, and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner.

The thing is, an SUV is likely to sell much better. That's why even Audi (which was pushing station wagons for very long) gave in and joined the SUV market. The only negative of the SUV is probably aero (weight also, but EVs are not as affected by weight), but there are probably ways to tweak it to be better.

[flabby]

So do we need a new model x section now?

[jasonhi]

The thing is, an SUV is likely to sell much better. That's why even Audi (which was pushing station wagons for very long) gave in and joined the SUV market. The only negative of the SUV is probably aero (weight also, but EVs are not as affected by weight), but there are probably ways to tweak it to be better.

I'm curious how a Tesla SUV will compare to the RAV4 that Tesla is helping build. Will Tesla build a bigger SUV? Or just longer range? If the Toyota is only 100 miles, then I'm sure the differentiator will be that the Tesla will likely have a 200+ mile option.

I'm looking forward to the day when we have a handful of interesting EVs to choose from to meet different peoples needs/desires. I'd love to be debating between a Model S, Model X, Toyota RAV4 etc for a people/stuff hauler to go with my Roadster in 2015 or so.

[T@oo]

While I think "Model X" will be more like a crossover (think Audi A6 Allroad), find this funny:

4:09 Q: Does this put competitive pressure on Tesla?
4:12 A: No.....(making absolutely confident face)