Pure speculation of course. Here is why I believe a new performance variant will be announced on or slightly before April 30th:
With that said, I truly think it would have been best for Elon to skip the P85D altogether, and just have waited to fully announce and release the P100D/P105D. A model that was hyped so badly that could be wiped out in 5 months and leave people hanging who spent $120K+ is NOT cool if he know that A) The 85kW battery was not powerful enough to deliver the 691HP that was advertised and B) Elon knew a bigger battery/more powerful version was to be announced only 5 months later. Why even release the P85D if that was right around the corner, half way through the 2015 model year?
- Recent discontinuation of 60D for larger battery 70D, making minimum EPA range 240 miles. Flagship P85D only slightly higher at 253 miles, but large price gap.
- Elon recently told a celebrity that "Maybe the Model S can get there" in reference to a 0-60 time in 2.8s. He didn't say the P85D, he said the Model S. The performance inverter update didn't make any noticeable difference, and it seems the 85kW battery is the bottleneck for any potential performance enhancement via OTA update.
- We know that the current P85D is rated at 691HP, but actual inverter power logs show maximum motor power is 400-411kW, which is around 550-575HP. 691HP would be roughly 515kW. 85kW battery likely is unable to supply the car with enough juice for full advertised horsepower.
- Elon stated "Maybe it would be a good warm up act to the April 30 event" when mentioning that the Model S can "Maybe get there" (2.8 second 0-60). Therefore I believe the P100D or P105D will be announced, effectively killing and dealing a blow to the P85D after only 5 months from the first delivery of the P85D.
With that said, I truly think it would have been best for Elon to skip the P85D altogether, and just have waited to fully announce and release the P100D/P105D. A model that was hyped so badly that could be wiped out in 5 months and leave people hanging who spent $120K+ is NOT cool if he know that A) The 85kW battery was not powerful enough to deliver the 691HP that was advertised and B) Elon knew a bigger battery/more powerful version was to be announced only 5 months later. Why even release the P85D if that was right around the corner, half way through the 2015 model year?
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