Oct. 10, 2014—Tesla Motors announced on Thursday the addition of a new suite of vehicle technology features that will be included in upgraded 2015 models of its signature Model S vehicle.
The most notable features: a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive capability, and an automated driving feature company founder Elon Musk refers to as “autopilot.”
The new range of Tesla Model S series D vehicles also offers an extended range of about 10 miles on a Tesla battery, making the range on a full charge about 285 miles. The car doesn’t lose power, either, as a second engine was added to the new line, giving the new Model S the ability to match the power of European supercars. At a standstill, the new Tesla can hit 60 MPH in 3.2 seconds.
"It's like having your own personal roller coaster," Tesla CEO Elon Musk told USA Today.
The four-wheel-drive makes the car more practical in snowy markets, and other new features on the vehicle include self-parking features, collision avoidance, and a limited autopilot that Musk likens to that on an airplane.