Tesla just found a way to make the Model S P100D even more ludicrous

By Ronan Glon November 16, 2016

Tesla Model S

Tesla doesn’t have a lot to prove in terms of performance. The Model S P100D currently hits 60 mph from a stop in 2.5 seconds, a neck-snapping figure that makes it one of the quickest cars on the planet. That is more than fast enough, but company executives believe there is always room for improvement.

Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk revealed on his Twitter account that starting in December, the Model S P100D will be capable of performing the benchmark zero-to-60 sprint in 2.4 seconds. The 0.1-second difference is hardly noticeable in real-world driving, but it cements the car’s spot as an electric family supercar capable of keeping up with a Bugatti Chiron in a race from a dead stop to highway speeds. The sedan’s quarter-mile time will also improve by a tenth of a second.

P100D owners will receive the extra power as part of an over-the-air software update that Tesla is finalizing. The car’s hardware will not change, meaning the sedan will continue to use a 100-kWh battery pack and dual motor all-wheel drive. Tesla has not revealed what effect — if any — the extra power will have on the 315-mile driving range.

Model X P100D owners will benefit from the same upgrade, though the crossover is a little slower than its sedan counterpart because it is heavier. Once the update has been installed, the X will be capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. To put that figure into perspective, a Porsche 911 Turbo performs the same sprint in 2.9 seconds when it is equipped with the optional Sport Chrono package.

Musk has not revealed what else will be included in the over-the-air software update. It will be released nationwide in December, so we will not have to wait long to find out what other surprises the company has in store.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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