The Tech That Drives The New Tesla Model S, Explained
Last night, Elon Musk took the wraps off the new Tesla Model S . Dual motors and all-wheel drive don't just make it faster, a new sensor array will make it safer too. Let's break out each innovation, figure out what it is and how it works. Dual Motors: Putting the "D" in the Tesla Model S P85D, an electric motor has been added to the front of the car, driving those wheels. Previously, the Model S was rear-wheel drive only. That motor develops 221 bhp, taking the car's total power up to a supercar-like 691 bhp. Combined torque is even more impressive at 687 lb-ft, growing from 362. The additional motor and its associated hardware adds 291 lbs of weight, taking the top-of-the-line P85D's total weight to 4,936 lbs. To put those numbers in perspective, the insane new Dodge Challenger Hellcat makes 707bhp, 650 lb-ft and weighs 4,449 lbs. The Tesla is faster to accelerate, reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds to the Hellcat's 3.7 second time . The electric car ...