Tesla extends Model S, Model X driving range
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 26th Apr 2019
TESLA has once again rejigged its Model S sedan and Model X SUV ranges, this time extending driving range, reducing charging time, increasing power and torque, and adding adaptive dampers.
As a result, Australian pricing has been tweaked for the second time in as many months, with the entry-level Model S Standard Range the only variant to drop in price, by $2800 to $112,800.
Its Long Range counterpart is up $7500, to $128,200, while the Performance returns at $137,700 and the Ludicrous Performance becomes $10,100 dearer, at $147,000.
For the Model X, the Standard Range and Performance are back at $119,600 and $144,200 respectively, while the Long Range swells by $7800, to $135,000, and the Ludicrous Performance jumps by $10,700, to $152,700.
Claimed by Tesla to be “the longest-range production EVs on the road”, the variants feature the same sized battery packs as before, with the Long Range versions of the Model S and Model X now providing 660km and 575km of driving range respectively on the NEDC cycle.
In order to achieve this, a new drivetrain design has been employed, combining an optimised permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor, silicon carbide power electronics and improved lubrication, cooling, bearings, and gear designs.
This set-up achieves more than 93 per cent efficiency when energy flows out of the battery during acceleration and back into it via regenerative braking, leading to a more than 10 per cent boost in range.
The Model S and Model X Standard Range offer 490km and 425km of range respectively, while their Performance siblings manage 650km and 550km, with the same marks reached by the Ludicrous Performance versions.
While Tesla claims that power and torque “increases significantly” for all variants, it has not detailed their outputs.
However, improved zero-to-100km/h sprint times of 4.2 seconds and 4.8s for the Model S and Model X Standard Range respectively have been confirmed alongside 3.8s and 4.6s returns for their Long Range counterparts.
The new drivetrain design also supports fast charging up to 200kW when using Tesla’s V3 Supercharger as well as up to 145kW with the V2 Supercharger, with the former reducing charging time by 50 per cent.
Suspension-wise, the Model S and Model X’s air springs are now complemented by adaptive dampers powered by in-house software that can be updated over the air when upgrades become available.
This predictive system works by monitoring road conditions, speed and driver inputs to adjust damping, while it also now lowers the air spring’s level while cruising to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Minor changes to the Model S and Model X extend to new wheel bearings and redesigned tyres that together help to further improve their range, ride and handling.
2019 Tesla Model S pricing*
| Standard Range (a) | $112,800 |
| Long Range (a) | $128,200 |
| Performance (a) | $137,700 |
| Ludicrous Performance (a) | $147,000 |
*Excludes on-road costs
2019 Tesla Model X pricing*
| Standard Range (a) | $119,600 |
| Long Range (a) | $135,000 |
| Performance (a) | $144,200 |
| Ludicrous Performance (a) | $152,700 |
*Excludes on-road costs
