Tesla Model S P90D
Whether you buy into the idea of electric cars or not it’s impossible to ignore how Tesla has disrupted the market. After the successful launch of its Model S back in 2012 they have far from rested on their laurels.
It can be said that the P90D looks pretty much like any other Model S but what we have here is the most advanced version yet. For a start it uses dual electric motors making it four-wheel drive while the 90kw battery is, for the time being at least, the most powerful available.
As with any Model S the P90D has plenty of room for 5 adults with good leg room and just about enough headroom. What you don’t quite get is a sense of luxury and build quality that you’d find in a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. However, the giant internet-abled touchscreen is simply fantastic.
There’s also a giant boot for two sets of golf clubs. It’s so big in fact that you can even specify a couple of jumpseats in the boot to turn the Model S into a 7-seater. However, if you do just remember not to try “Ludicrous mode” when you’ve got people in the boot.
What is “Ludicrous mode” you ask? Well this is another trick up the P90D’s sleeve. It uses an advanced “smart fuse” to boost the battery-pack’s electrical current which means you can get from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds! For that you can thank the 751bhp from the dual electric motors.
What the P90D also does is increase the Model S’s range to 330 miles which equates to about 6% more than its predecessor. This car also uses software version 7 which includes autopilot. That’s right, this car can actually drive itself and does this by using sensors to monitor its surroundings including other traffic and road markings which are used to help control the steering, accelerator and brakes. For the time being, this is about as close as a driverless car as you’re going to get. What’s weird is that when you learn to trust the car you’ll actually find yourself paying more attention simply because you don’t actually believe it can do what it needs to do. However, as the car and technology becomes better and better this is something that should change over time.
Driven in a conventional manner this version of the Model S remains a pretty convincing car. It rides well, the steering is accurate and there’s lots of grip. Ok, It isn’t going to trouble BMW or Mercedes engineers anytime soon but for a first attempt at building a car from scratch the Model S is deeply impressive.
Tesla’s supercharging infrastructure is still in development but they are extremely effective when you can find them. It’ll take you just 20 minutes or so to give the battery an 80% boost! Failing that you can simply charge up at home overnight using a wall box at which point the Model S will also download over-the-air updates which saves you having to visit the dealership.
Of course an electric car isn’t going to suit everybody and at £80k+ from new the P90D is far from cheap. However, if you like the idea of driving something that is genuinely different then there is plenty here to admire.
Look out for our review on the Tesla Model 3!
