Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors tweeted that it is ‘about time to unveil the D and something else’.
This attracted more than 9,000 retweets and 2,500 favourites, it possibly sent shares up by 3%, and it now has people guessing what the ‘D’ means. Some think it stands for a Dual-Motor AWD version of the Tesla Model S, or that it refers to driver assistance technology (based on references to it spotted in Tesla software).
As for the shares, Samantha Sharf of Forbes wrote:
This is far from the first time that Musk’s words have set off a cultural firestorm or a big swing in share price. Just last month he quipped, ‘I think our stock price is kind of high right now to be totally honest.’ Tesla shares dropped 1.8% the day of the comment and were down 15% as of Wednesday’s close.
According to a tip TechCrunch received, the Tesla D may be a HP Model S with beefed up technology (such as a 600 HP motor), and a top speed of 155 MPH, a big step up from the previous models’ top speed of 125 MPH.
This sounds like it might contain an enormous battery bank. Maybe even over 100 kWh?
What Kind Of Technology Might Be Behind The Tesla D?
Don’t be surprised if this vehicle crosses the $100,000 USD mark, and by far. However, Tesla Motors’ innovative designers keep offering better vehicles for the price. For example: The Model S is a nicer car than the Roadster, plus it is cheaper.
The only considerable benefit the Roadster has over the Model S is its acceleration time.
Theoretically speaking, Tesla could release a vehicle which is better overall if they were able to commercialize one of the outstanding new battery technologies (and work out the bugs), but that is a big IF. Some of today’s prototypes are that powerful.
As for compromises, they could have dropped some features or made sacrifices in the Tesla D’s design to keep the cost of it down. For example: It may have less interior room due to a larger battery bank.
The Tesla D will be unveiled on October 9, 2014.
Source: TechCrunch.
Technology Reference Articles (How-to’s, and more).