Tesla's Model D Is an All-Wheel-Drive, High-Performance Option

Tesla’s Model D Is an All-Wheel-Drive, High-Performance Option

It is not a driverless car or a metal flying suit.

Eric Wesoff October 09, 2014

Eric Wesoff

Editor-at-Large
Greentech Media

Eric Wesoff is Editor-at-Large at Greentech Media. Prior to joining GTM, Eric Wesoff founded Sage Marketing Partners in 2000 to provide sales and marketing-consulting services to venture-capital firms and their portfolio companies in the alternative energy and telecommunications sectors. Mr. Wesoff has become a well-known, respected authority and speaker in these fields.

His expertise covers solar power, fuel cells, biofuels and advanced batteries. His strengths are in market research and analysis, business development and due diligence for investors. He frequently consults for energy startups and Silicon Valley's premier venture capitalists.

"The 'D' is already out there," according to Tesla CEO Musk.

Musk isn't currently on stage in Southern California according to a phone report -- but USA Today leaked the story early, and has since pulled the article that detailed some new features and performance specs of an extensively tweaked Model S.

Business Insider caught the pulled article, and it turns out the "D" is an all-wheel-drive Model S that can "do 0 to 60 mph in just over 3 seconds."

The car also includes an "exotic suite of driver-aid and safety features."

The pulled USA Today article also included this text:

[T]he electric charge for the all-wheel-drive versions will have a slight increase of about 10 miles from previous models, for a maximum of 275 miles."

Musk called his system “a huge improvement” that he claims is “taking the technology to the next level.” He says that the new system will move the car over a lane when the driver uses the turn signal and that the car reads speed-limit signs and adjusts the car to the speed on the sign. Also, 12 sensors on the car will allow it to “see” 16 feet to enable the safety technology.

The AWD drive cars are being tagged the Model D, with the first models being delivered to buyers in December. Other models will start arriving in February 2015.

Pricing for the vehicle was not disclosed.