Making good on his promise to “unveil the D”, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed a dual-motor, AWD Model S is on the way.
Tesla calls the technology Dual Motor All Wheel Drive — essentially, the system uses two electric motors; one powers the rear wheels and another sends its kick up front. It will be available throughout the Model S lineup, meaning we’ll see 60D and 85D. The only change to the lineup lies with the range-topping P85+, which now comes standard with all-wheel-drive and becomes the P85D.
According to Automobile Magazine, the all-wheel-drive system adds roughly 176 pounds to the base Model S sedan’s curb weight, but as a result of the extra power — each motor is rated at 188 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque — the 60D is two-tenths of a second quicker to 100 km/h at 5.7 seconds, and can complete the quarter-mile run in 14 seconds flat before topping out at 120 miles per hour.
The 85D sees an identical weight penalty, but once again, it’s negated by both motors. Output from each motor is identical to the 60D, but thanks to the larger battery, the 85D does the zero-to-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, completes a quarter-mile run in 13.5 seconds and has a top speed limited to 155 MPH. More importantly, the 60D and 85D see their total range extended to 215 and 285 miles, respectively.
As it turns out, Tesla’s D is a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Model S.
Handout, Tesla Motors via Twitter
Last but not least, there’s the P85D. This particular variant keeps the P85 Plus’ rear motor, rated at 470 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. But with the addition of the second motor up front, rated at 221 horsepower and 228 lb.-ft. of torque, total system output is a mind-boggling 691 horsepower and 667 lb.-ft. of torque. Although it adds 291 lbs to the Model S sedan’s curb weight, it’s a full second quicker to 100 km/h — 3.2 seconds versus 4.2 seconds over the outgoing P85 Plus — and decreases total range by just 10 miles to 275. The Model S P85D has yet another trump card up its sleeve — it boasts 1 lateral G of acceleration.
In addition to Dual Motor All Wheel Drive, Tesla revealed a handful of new safety technologies for the Model S. They include the requisite active safety technology, including lane-departure warning. Tesla is taking to another level by adding a semi-autonomous driving gadget known as Autopilot. The system uses 12 sensors that “see” 16 feet ahead to help move the car into the next lane when the drive activates the corresponding turn signal. Autopilot also reads speed limits and adjusts the car accordingly, but this system can’t be fitted onto older Model S sedans.
Tesla hasn’t announced pricing for the all-wheel-drive Model S lineup, but the 85D will be available in December, followed by the 60D and P85D in February.
