A Step Further: The Tesla Model S P90D Gets a “Ludicrous” Acceleration Mode

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Just when we thought the Tesla Model S P85D couldn’t get any more “insane,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced that a new Model S hardware update and larger battery pack will add a “Ludicrous” acceleration mode to the P90D, pushing horsepower to 762. The 0-60 mph run will drop from 3.1 seconds to an astonishing 2.8 seconds. Quarter-mile times will be under 11 seconds.

To put those figures into perspective, a brand-new 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO (Godzilla on steroids) makes the 0-60 run in 2.9 seconds, needing turbocharger boost to build before delivering monstrous power. McLaren’s fantastic MP4-12C matches the GT-R’s time. Even Ferrari’s unshakable 458 Italia can only manage 0-60 in 3.0 seconds. All in all, the P90D’s performance is beyond world-class, and it’s always staggering to remember that it comes in a usable, spacious, and extremely efficient four-door sedan.

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This incredible performance isn’t cheap, however. P85D owners will pay a $5,000 premium for the hardware that makes “Ludicrous” mode possible, and installation will be a separate fee. For those looking to build their new Model S, the hardware will be a $10,000 option on top of the required $3,000 for the 90 kWh battery pack (hence, the P90D nameplate).

In a press release, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained that the absurd levels of acceleration come from improvements to fuses that manage and monitor battery output. With their own lithium-ion batteries and electronic controls, these new fuses will check power delivery thousands of times per second, allowing the batteries to maximize the energy routed to the motors. As a result, the upgraded batteries can now run at up to 1500 amps of current, up 200 from the old P85D’s 1300 amps, but range remains respectable at 265 miles.

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Musk also added that on full acceleration, the P90D can achieve up to 1.1 g’s, which is “faster than falling.” And given the P90D’s all-wheel-drive system and that all of the P90’s torque is available from a standstill, acceleration will feel inexplicably faster than that from any other vehicle on the road. Having experienced the P85D’s acceleration, I can say that the uninterrupted rush of torque is absolutely mind-boggling, even ludicrous. Congratulations to Musk and Tesla for taking the Model S from “insane” to “ludicrous,” and stay tuned at TFLcar.com for more developments on the Tesla Model S P90D.

Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video review of the 2013 Tesla Model S P85.