The carmaker will be releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update to rectify the issue.

Tesla has recalled 8,17,000 vehicles in the USA over a 'seat belt reminder alert' issue. According to the company, the audible alert may not activate when a vehicle starts and the driver hasn't buckled up.

As per the details shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the models that failed a federal motor vehicle safety standard include the 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3 and the 2020-2022 Model Y.

Tesla has confirmed that it was unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue. The carmaker will be releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update to rectify the issue.

Tesla has introduced two new variants of the Model S – Plaid and Plaid+. Both get three electric motors with an identical 0-100 km/h time of sub 2.1 seconds.

Tesla has updated the Model S with new features. While the exterior design remains similar to the outgoing car, the interiors and the powertrain have been reworked.

On the inside, the car now gets a chopped-off steering wheel with a U-shaped hand grip area. It gets two circular jog dials on either side. The main touchscreen is now a 17-inch unit in a landscape orientation compared to the portrait layout of the earlier display. The rear seats get additional bolstering and a smaller display unit for the rear occupants between the front two seats.

Also included is a new gaming computer with 10 teraflops of processing power and wireless controller compatibility which allows gaming from any seat. The car also gets wireless and USB-C fast charging for every passenger and multi-device Bluetooth.

Tesla has introduced two new variants of the Model S – Plaid and Plaid+. Both get three electric motors with an identical 0-100 km/h time of sub 2.1 seconds. But the Plaid has a claimed range of 628 km while the Plaid+ gets a range of over 840 km. The carmaker also claims a quarter mile time of sub 9 seconds.

Tesla has announced that these upgrades can be expected on the Model X in the near future.

The J-Pace could offer a maximum range of 482 km.

According to a media report, Jaguar is planning to launch a new electric SUV called the J-Pace. It is expected to compete with the Tesla Model X.

The Jaguar J-Pace could be based on Jaguar Land Rover's MLA platform, which will be shared with the next-generation Jaguar XJ and Range Rover.

The MLA platform is designed to handle batteries with a capacity of up to 100 kWh. The report states that the J-Pace could offer a maximum range of 482 km on a single charge. Other details like the output of the electric motors are not yet known.

Source

Thanks to Universal Mohan for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing the images with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page! 

The first Tesla electric car has landed in India. While the American electric vehicle (EV) startup is yet to officially launch in India, the all-electric Model X SUV recently arrived at the Mumbai port.

The Tesla Model X is the third electric car built by the California-based company. It is based on the Model S but unlike the sedan, it can seat up to 7 people. The Model X gets falcon doors and on the inside, it has a 17-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is the command centre of the vehicle. 

The Model X is powered by two electric motors – one on each axle and lithium-ion batteries. It is available in three variants – 75D with a 75 kWh battery and 381 km of range, 100D with a 100 kWh battery offering a range of 475 km and P100D which is the performance model that can do 0-100 km/h in 2.9 sec and has a range of 465 km. The Model X imported into India is reportedly the base 75D version.

Elon Musk – the founder of Tesla, earlier this year indicated that the company is in talks with the Government of India for getting an exemption from import duties on its electric cars. Their first offering for the Indian market is expected to be the entry-level Model 3 which has a claimed range of 346 km.

Electric car manufacturer Tesla, has launched the Model X SUV at a price of $ 132,000. The vehicle comes in six or seven seater configurations.

The Model X has a sloping roofline, giving it a coupe-like look and "falcon wing" (gullwing) rear doors which, the company claims, allow easy access to second and third row seats from any parking space. The car has a large windshield with solar tinting, independently reclining seats in the second row and third row seats that can be folded flat. Other equipment includes daytime running lights, maps and navigation with real time traffic updates, power-folding and heated ORVMs, automatic keyless entry, four child seat attachments and parking sensors.

The Model X has a drag coefficient of 0.24 and an active spoiler, which deploys to one of three preset positions when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle has a floor-mounted battery, which lowers the center of gravity and reduces the risk of a rollover. The company claims that the battery support structure strengthens the car against side impact intrusions. The front trunk of the car acts as an impact-absorbing crumple zone.

Additionally, the Model X is equipped with camera, radar and sonar systems, which scan the surroundings and providing the driver with real-time feedback to avoid collisions. At highway speeds, the brakes of the car are automatically applied in an emergency.

The Model X also comes with medical grade HEPA filter, which filters out pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution from outside air before circulating it into the cabin. There are three modes - circulate with outside air, re-circulate inside air and a bioweapon defence mode.

The Model X gets an all-wheel drive system and a 90 kWh battery. The car is available in two variants:

90D

• Front motor - 259 HP
• Rear Motor - 259 HP
• Range - 414 km
• 0-96 kph in 4.8 seconds
• Top speed - 250 kph

P90D

• Front motor - 259 HP
• Rear motor - 503 HP
• Range- 402 km
• 0-96 kph in 3.8 seconds (3.2 seconds with Ludicrous Speed Upgrade)
• Top speed - 250 kph

The Model X has a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs (2,273 kg).

Tesla is offering an 8-year, infinite mile battery and drive unit warranty on the SUV.

The crossover fad is one that no brand across the spectrum is looking to miss out on. Be it luxury brands or regular passenger car-makers, everyone is looking to cut a slice from the segment. Electric vehicle maker Tesla too, has been working on its offering to capitalize on the segment and the Model X crossover, has even been caught on test ahead of its launch that will finally take place this year.

Tesla revealed the Model X in February 2012 and the car was supposed to enter production towards the end of 2013. Reservations for the Model X opened immediately after the reveal and the reservation process was similar to that of the Model S'. Any fresh bookings will now see deliveries in early 2016. The vehicle will share its underpinnings with the Model S and the Model X will be available with the same battery options, which means the variants could include a 70 kWh (324 BHP) AWD, an 85 kWh AWD (416 BHP) and could get the sedan’s P85D variant that makes 682 BHP. The travel range could be between 225 kms-425 kms on a full charge.

The Model X largely looks like a Model S sedan with jacked up springs and black cladding along the skirting, wheel arches and bumpers. The electric vehicle will seat 7 passengers and will feature a dual motor all-wheel drive system.

The Model X also features the "Falcon wing" rear doors that open up in the same fashion as a gull wing, but are articulated at the roof to avoid taking up too much space to the sides. The wings also enable passengers to enter the car while standing up. Tesla Chief Elon Musk says the doors will open in any parking spot that has enough room for a person to fit through. While the feature is certainly intriguing, the real world practicality remains to be seen.

Images via: World Car Fans