I had posed the question a while back wondering if the P90D without Ludicrous would be quicker than a P85D without Ludicrous. People have said the battery alone doesn't add performance. But if that were true, then why wouldn't a P85D with the Ludicrous upgrade be as quick as a P90D with Ludicrous? According to Tesla, the P85D after the upgrade is still supposed to be 2/10ths off of a P90DL.
Nobody had an answer yet.
Finally today I had the opportunity to answer the question for myself. At least I think so anyway.
After searching the internet long and hard, found many 1/8th mile times for the P85D from the same track I was at. Best I could find was a 7.37 @ 93 MPH. Most ranged from 7.402 to 7.5 with MPH ranging from 91.68 to 93.4
P90DL times that I found from the same track were naturally more limited, but ranged from 7.11 to 7.24 @ 94.33 to 95.35 MPH.
I was at the track for another reason and wasn't planning on running, but the race director said I should give it a try. The line was astronomically long. Never knew how many cars the Thursday night drags drew! VERY IMPRESSIVE! I had other commitments that I was there for, but the race director was kind enough to give me one single run without the long wait.
This was the first time in 24 years that I've been to an actual drag strip with the light tree. Naturally, my reaction time sucked at .298.
But fortunately reaction time doesn't affect ET or MPH, which was what I was after.
Pleasantly surprised, my P90D (Insane Mode) ran a 7.298 @ 93.24 MPH. 1.634 60 foot time. Without launch mode and without having preset "max battery". And the car was loaded with about 200 pounds in work equipment.
The above are the simple facts. The rest are my thoughts and review of the Performance option. Feel free to read it if you have a moment, especially if you're on the fence about a 90D, P90D or P90DL. Maybe, it will help??
So, I think my theory proved to be accurate. P90D with only Insane Mode is quicker than the P85D. From what I understand, the P90D with or without Ludicrous has the fuse already installed, with Ludicrous solely being a change in software programming for $10,000. I have it in writing that I can upgrade my P90D if I ever choose to do so, for $10,000 of course. When I bought it, I just couldn't justify the extra $10,000. I struggled justifying the first $20,000 to go from a regular 90D to the P90D as it was. I make a good living, but am not filthy rich by any means. And $30,000 to upgrade was getting into "stupid" money for me, just for the kicks of quicker launches. Really, that's all you get for the extra $30,000!! I compromised and got the P90DI instead of the L.
For me, the launches are still incredible. I get all the same reactions from people as seen on youtube. Which, being that I'm not drag racing the car daily, is really what you pay for. Not sure any of that would change if I had the Ludicrous option.
Not sure how much quicker the car would be in Launch Mode and with "Max Battery", if any quicker at all. But considering it was my first and only run in fairly cold temps, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results. Less than 2/10ths off the best P90DL time I could find. Clearly the difference would increase if running a 1/4 mile as my slightly lower MPH reflects. Ludicrous definitely carries the speed longer than Insane mode. The 60 foot time is about equal to the P90DL, likely due to traction limitations, so nothing lost there. And less than 2/10ths in the 1/8th mile. Where I live, there's no chance I could do a full 1/4 mile run on the streets, likely not even a 1/8th mile run to 93 MPH. I launch it from 0-60 and have to shut it down. Based on the 60 foot time, am guessing my car is within a tenth from 0-60 of the P90DL, certainly less than 2/10ths since it's less than 2/10ths slower to 93 MPH.
So for my use, I wouldn't have been able to ever reap the benefits of the additional Ludicrous power. So I'm glad I saved the $10,000. Again, based on where I live and what the streets are capable of giving me as far as leeway for launches. If I was still going the drags every week like I did 25 years, then certainly would have ponied up the extra cash. For street use, don't feel like I'm missing a thing.
Another very satisfied Tesla customer! Now if we can just figure out how to get the stock back up, we'll all be in great shape!!!
Nobody had an answer yet.
Finally today I had the opportunity to answer the question for myself. At least I think so anyway.
After searching the internet long and hard, found many 1/8th mile times for the P85D from the same track I was at. Best I could find was a 7.37 @ 93 MPH. Most ranged from 7.402 to 7.5 with MPH ranging from 91.68 to 93.4
P90DL times that I found from the same track were naturally more limited, but ranged from 7.11 to 7.24 @ 94.33 to 95.35 MPH.
I was at the track for another reason and wasn't planning on running, but the race director said I should give it a try. The line was astronomically long. Never knew how many cars the Thursday night drags drew! VERY IMPRESSIVE! I had other commitments that I was there for, but the race director was kind enough to give me one single run without the long wait.
This was the first time in 24 years that I've been to an actual drag strip with the light tree. Naturally, my reaction time sucked at .298.
But fortunately reaction time doesn't affect ET or MPH, which was what I was after.
Pleasantly surprised, my P90D (Insane Mode) ran a 7.298 @ 93.24 MPH. 1.634 60 foot time. Without launch mode and without having preset "max battery". And the car was loaded with about 200 pounds in work equipment.
The above are the simple facts. The rest are my thoughts and review of the Performance option. Feel free to read it if you have a moment, especially if you're on the fence about a 90D, P90D or P90DL. Maybe, it will help??
So, I think my theory proved to be accurate. P90D with only Insane Mode is quicker than the P85D. From what I understand, the P90D with or without Ludicrous has the fuse already installed, with Ludicrous solely being a change in software programming for $10,000. I have it in writing that I can upgrade my P90D if I ever choose to do so, for $10,000 of course. When I bought it, I just couldn't justify the extra $10,000. I struggled justifying the first $20,000 to go from a regular 90D to the P90D as it was. I make a good living, but am not filthy rich by any means. And $30,000 to upgrade was getting into "stupid" money for me, just for the kicks of quicker launches. Really, that's all you get for the extra $30,000!! I compromised and got the P90DI instead of the L.
For me, the launches are still incredible. I get all the same reactions from people as seen on youtube. Which, being that I'm not drag racing the car daily, is really what you pay for. Not sure any of that would change if I had the Ludicrous option.
Not sure how much quicker the car would be in Launch Mode and with "Max Battery", if any quicker at all. But considering it was my first and only run in fairly cold temps, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results. Less than 2/10ths off the best P90DL time I could find. Clearly the difference would increase if running a 1/4 mile as my slightly lower MPH reflects. Ludicrous definitely carries the speed longer than Insane mode. The 60 foot time is about equal to the P90DL, likely due to traction limitations, so nothing lost there. And less than 2/10ths in the 1/8th mile. Where I live, there's no chance I could do a full 1/4 mile run on the streets, likely not even a 1/8th mile run to 93 MPH. I launch it from 0-60 and have to shut it down. Based on the 60 foot time, am guessing my car is within a tenth from 0-60 of the P90DL, certainly less than 2/10ths since it's less than 2/10ths slower to 93 MPH.
So for my use, I wouldn't have been able to ever reap the benefits of the additional Ludicrous power. So I'm glad I saved the $10,000. Again, based on where I live and what the streets are capable of giving me as far as leeway for launches. If I was still going the drags every week like I did 25 years, then certainly would have ponied up the extra cash. For street use, don't feel like I'm missing a thing.
Another very satisfied Tesla customer! Now if we can just figure out how to get the stock back up, we'll all be in great shape!!!
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