New Delhi: Car manufacturer Tesla is all geared up to unveil its Model X electric crossover SUV at an event today in California.
Tesla's third car was first shown three years ago, but has experienced several delays.The Model X is the third vehicle from 12-year-old Tesla, after the Roadster — which was discontinued in 2012 — and the Model S sedan.
Model X- one of the only all-electric SUVs on the market- features falcon doors forming the ‘X’ shape.
It should attract new customers to the brand, and goes on sale as the market for luxury SUVs is booming. US luxury SUV sales were up 17 per cent through August, five times faster than the industry as a whole.
"If Tesla's going to be a more significant player, they need more products, and SUVs are what the market is demanding," said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with the car buying site AutoTrader.com
But there are drawbacks. Only a fraction of the sippy cup set will be able to afford the Model X, even with an available $7,500 federal tax credit. Exact pricing hasn't been revealed, but CEO Elon Musk says the Model X will cost $5,000 more than the Model S, which starts at $70,000.
Long road trips will have to be planned carefully because the Model X will have a limited range before the battery needs to be recharged. The US Environmental Protection Agency says the front-wheel-drive 90D version of the Model X will go 257 miles on a charge, while an all-wheel-drive P90D version will go 250 miles. That is less range than the equivalent versions of the Model S.
Few details were released ahead of Tuesday's unveiling, but the Model X has three rows and seats seven. Its most eye-popping feature is its falcon-wing rear doors, which open upward.
The event will be live streamed on Tesla's website and you can watch it here.
With inputs from AP
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