Tesla Unveils Model X Electric Crossover

Tesla Motors Inc. took the wraps off its new Model X electric crossover vehicle Tuesday night at an event near its production facility in Fremont, Calif. The company also used the unveiling to deliver the first six models to customers.

The production version of the seven-seater looks nearly identical to the prototype Model X including its gullwing rear doors that Tesla showed in early 2012. It uses the same platform and drivetrain as the current Model S sedan but gets some added features and functions.

Tesla says the Model X will receive the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's highest 5-star safety rating in all categories, which would make it the first crossover/SUV to do so. The absence of a traditional engine allows for a larger front crumple zone and the EV's floor-mounted battery gives the vehicle a low-center of gravity to reduce rollover risks, the carmaker notes.

Other safety features include standard automatic emergency braking and a host of cameras and other sensors that enable autonomous driving functionality at highway speeds. A 17-inch touchscreen controls various vehicle functions.

Separate motors are used for the front and rear axles to provide all-wheel drive. The vehicle weighs 5,440 lbs and has a coefficient of drag of 0.24, which Tesla says is best-in-class for an SUV.

The exterior is highlighted by a large panoramic windshield that extends well into the roof, gradually turning from clear to a dark tint that blends into the roof color. Tesla claims it's the largest piece of curved glass in a production vehicle.

Without a traditional headliner to anchor them, the sun visors are mounted on the A-pillars above the windows. When needed, they can be swiveled out and magnetically locked into the interior rearview mirror. CEO Elon Musk describes them as the "most complex" sun visors in automotive history.

The dual-hinged doors, which Tesla calls a "falcon-wing" system, allow for easier ingress/egress to the second and third row of seats. The doors slide up and then outward, enabling them to be opened in areas with less than 12 inches of space to the side of a vehicle, according to the carmaker. Ultrasonic sensors are used to ensure they open as wide as possible without hitting an obstruction. But journalists who have tested the car say the automated door opening system is somewhat slow and noisy.

The driver's-side front door also is motorized. It automatically opens to a 45 angle (or less, depending on available space) as a driver with a key approaches. Once the driver is seated and depresses the brake pedal, the door closes.

Each of the three second-row seats are mounted on individual posts with integrated seatbelts, which Tesla says enhances comfort and flexibility. Musk describes them as a "sculptural work of art." Headroom is compromised somewhat by the supporting structure for the falcon-wing doors. The two third-row seats are mounted on floor tracks.

Other goodies include a Tesla-developed 17-speaker, 560-watt audio system, a dock for Apple iPhones, a clean-air filter system for the passenger cabin, an optional trailer hitch and an active rear spoiler with three settings that can reduce drag by 1.6% at highway speeds.

Initially, the Model X will be available with a 90-kWh lithium-ion battery. Two other versions (70- and 85-kWh) will be added next year. The base 90D model has a 257-mile range down slightly from the 270-mile bogey for the Model S and can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The performance-tuned P90D's range drops to 250 miles but it can race to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds 3.2 seconds in "ludicrous" mode.