With the release of the latest Tesla Motor’s prototype, the question on every car enthusiasts mind is: exactly how much will Tesla Model X cost? The all-electric crossover model comes with more enhanced features and family-friendliness than the previous Model S so expect its price tag to be a notch or two above the Model S sedan.
The price question has however not deterred consumer confidence in the Model X which is expected to roll off the production line sometime early 2015. Buyers began placing $5,000 or $40,000 deposits for the car as far back as 2012. The demand for the crossover is still exceptionally strong despite the fact that the vehicle’s release, at least for a test drive, is still months away. Reservations have so far surpassed 11,000 with a majority coming from the US and as far as Switzerland, Norway, and China. Tesla hopes to use the more versatile Model X to double up the size of its current US lineup while reaching out to new market segments worldwide.
The exact price for the Model X is still to be announced, as per the latest communique from Tesla’s spokesperson, Liz Jarvis-Shean. While folks wring their fingers and conjure up every imaginable cost estimate, there have been a few suggestions from relatively reliable price projections. For instance, Adam Jones, a Morgan Stanley analyst of no mean repute, recently tagged the X’s base price at around $75,000, which actually nudges the Model X towards the luxury side in the SUV market. Notably, the SUV market has been experiencing a significant growth over the last few years.
Tesla has further hinted that the starting price for the least expensive version of the crossover will begin somewhere near Model S’s price tag on the higher side. This means expect to pay more for the higher performance and versatility. Some of the key improvements that analysts expect to have a significant impact on the Model X price, in comparison to the S model, include the car’s higher-capacity battery pack, design, and performance. Tesla hasn’t said much about Model X batteries but the pack is expected to deliver more than Model S’s which gives either 208 or 265 miles depending on the pack you choose. Model X comes with a third row seats feature which is completely optional not standard. However, given that the rear-facing jump seats on Model S added $2500 to its price, the additional cost of the third-row seats on Model X can only be left to your imagination. Some folks on the Tesla forum have even gone ahead and expressed their disappointment with making the third-row seats optional, calling it an excuse to hike the vehicle’s price.
Despite sharing close to 60% features with the award winning Model S sedan, Model X has more enhanced design features than its predecessor. Think of converting a sleek five passenger Maserati into an elegant SUV. Both models have almost similar contours, grilles, and headlights but Model X has the appearance of a vertically stretched Model S. The key structural difference between the two is the X’s rear falcon-wing doors and the optional third-row seats. There are more skin-deep differences between the two models to warrant a bigger difference in price. For instance, Model S is rear-drive only while Model X is an all-drive crossover, or can at least be outfitted to become one. The front axle in every all-wheel drive Model X further features additional front-mounted motor powers for enhanced performance. All the said features taken into consideration, it makes sense for Tesla to roll out the first Model X versions at a price a little bit higher than what you would dole out for a Model S.
