Options you would like to see in the Model X

[rcf8000]

I'm getting a Model X, not a Model S. The Model X is exactly right for me to replace my Mercedes GL450, which I use only for local trips and occasional day trips. I think I'll like the Model X so much that I will also want to take it on long road trips, which I don't think it's well suited for. However, I am open to be persuaded otherwise. I am very excited about the Model X, and the Model S for that matter, but that doesn't mean that I am willing to totally overlook their limitations.

[bonnie1194]

Oops, X, not S. Sorry. Just saying that YOU will have to be the one to persuade you otherwise. And that will likely happen after driving for awhile. All the talking in the world isn't going to make a difference, you just need to see the reality.

And then you'll be on the forum, reassuring the next person.

[dsm363]

Perhaps I'm not familiar with the facilities at campgrounds. So I drive up to a campground and plug in for a 10 hour overnight charge. Am I supposed to sleep in my car?

I see your new post about the intended use. Do you have a 150+ mile round trip daily commute? For a campground you simply call ahead and ask if you can charge and how much it will be. If you are driving 400 miles that day and you make it 250 miles to the campground you'd stay there for about 5 hours to recharge at 40A then keep going. You would just need a place to charge at your destination.

The Model X will easily handle your around town and local trips. It's really all about planning ahead when you travel outside your round trip range of the battery pack.. I agree you'll find it's much less of a problem than you think. If you had a gas generator would you pull off to the side of the road or stop at a restaurant to recharge? You'll find more and more public 30A chargers and campgrounds than you think. Plus by the time you get your Model X in 2014 the Suoercharger network should have been started as well.

Maybe these posts should be moved to a new thread In the Charging and chargers section 'Is a gas generator needed for my EV?'

[WhiteKnight]

I'm getting a Model X, not a Model S. The Model X is exactly right for me to replace my Mercedes GL450, which I use only for local trips and occasional day trips. I think I'll like the Model X so much that I will also want to take it on long road trips, which I don't think it's well suited for. However, I am open to be persuaded otherwise. I am very excited about the Model X, and the Model S for that matter, but that doesn't mean that I am willing to totally overlook their limitations.

It sounds like what you're arguing for is an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) like the Chevy Volt where you have a battery and you lug around an engine to serve as a generator when you want to go further than the battery permits without recharging.

Here is the SUV you want:

VTRUX Suburban

VIA-VTRUX-SUV-Flyer-04.pdf

Bob Lutz certified!

Or you could just mount a generator on a trailer and tow it behind the car.

There is 0.0% chance that Tesla will offer a generator option to customers. They have already ruled it out.

[rcf8000]

The VTRUX Suburban is definitely not what I want!

[RDoc]

My desired options:

• The main option I'd like is a 100 KWh battery. My guess is it would be about a $7500 option over the 85 KWh.
• Luxury rear seating option for adults. We often do trips with another couple in back. Separate seats with arms, not a bench. Seating for 4+2 is fine.
• A non-falcon wing door option. They look cool, but don't seem all that practical or reliable, particularly with New England late winter icing. Split middle seats would be more comfortable and allow reasonable access to the rear seats.
• Dual plugs for the dual chargers so the car could be plugged into 2 240V charge cables simultaneously when alone at a charging station.
• Ditto the cargo separator panels or something similar. There's so much room in the back I'm concerned about stuff sliding around. The good handling will exacerbate the problem too.
• Contrary to other views, I'd like a low suspension, around 6" the same as the S. I'm not going off road and the streets are reasonably plowed. Actually, a "low rider" option would be very cool. Use LED lights underneath for economy of course, and maybe the air suspension could hop the X?

[ModelX]

I would love 500 miles of range, nice rear seats with seat warmers and I do need the extra road clearance of an SUV. I am excited about the falcon wings!

[RDoc]

On lower ground clearance: How about an automatic setting on the air suspension of the X such that it lowers the car when stopped. Aging and handicapped parents and friends (and owners) would find that very appealing and it shouldn't be too hard to do. We had a couple of Citroens in the past that had that feature and it was great. Incidentally, the Citroen jacking system was to just raise the suspension all the way up, stick a light but very sturdy jackstand in next to one wheel, then lower the suspension all the way, thereby lifting the suspended wheel.

There's a whole question with the X of how is it going to be used. So far the notion is that it's mainly a family car to replace a minivan, but I don't think I'm alone in wanting a car optimized for medium distance adult travel and local cargo use. The upright seating has the potential for making it a very comfortable cruising vehicle for two couples, better than the S for example. The vehicles intended use changes what options an owner would like quite a bit.

[jerry33]

On lower ground clearance: How about an automatic setting on the air suspension of the X such that it lowers the car when stopped. Aging and handicapped parents and friends (and owners) would find that very appealing and it shouldn't be too hard to do. We had a couple of Citroens in the past that had that feature and it was great.

And there's nothing quite as cool as when the suspension lifts up after starting and the Citroen goes into hover mode.

Incidentally, the Citroen jacking system was to just raise the suspension all the way up, stick a light but very sturdy jackstand in next to one wheel, then lower the suspension all the way, thereby lifting the suspended wheel.

One of the very best features of the Citroen.

[Matthew049]

Also would like the performance version to be more aggressively masculine!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!