Last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced new options for their Model S sedan. One new feature called "Ludicrous Mode" takes the performance of their top-spec flagship EV one notch higher by giving it blistering acceleration. As it turns out, the upcoming Tesla Model X SUV is slated to get it as well.
"Tesla will also offer 'Ludicrous Mode' for its upcoming Model X SUV, which will probably clock in at zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds," Musk said via Bloomberg.
"We haven't tested it yet, so that's just a guess. That's mad for an SUV, obviously," he added.
As Paul Tan Automotive News noted, this would put the all-electric SUV faster than even the fastest SUVs in the market today, including BMW's X5 M and X6 M, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S AMG and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.
Even Jalopnik agreed and said that the Tesla Model X SUV's estimated 0 to 60 mph-time of 3.3 seconds would put it "in the same territory as the mid-2000s Ford GT and the C6 [Chevrolet] Corvette ZR1."
Franchise Herald previously reported that "Ludicrous Mode" now puts the Model S P85D's 0 to 60 mph time to 2.8 seconds. The new option will cost existing owners $5,000 to upgrade while it's a $10,000 option for new buyers.
The increase in performance comes from solving two engineering problems, according to Bloomberg. First, traction - keeping the wheels connected to the road - which Tesla had already solved. Second "is pulling enough current from the battery pack."
"'Ludicrous Mode' lets the car pull 1,500 amps instead of 1,300 amps all the way past 60 mph, which previously it couldn't do."
Musk earlier said that the Tesla Model X SUV is scheduled to start deliveries in Q3 2015. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based EV maker expects it to double their sales. And it looks like it as the Model X has managed to score double the Model S' reservations when it first launched despite key details remaining under wraps.
