Tesla prices novel Model X SUV at $80,000

[Zorro]

Tesla Motors' long-awaited Model X, an electric-powered, long-range crossover with upward-opening second-row doors, has been priced at $80,000 before delivery charges.

That puts it $5,000 more than the lowest-priced version of the breakthrough sedan that turned Tesla into one of the most closely watched tech companies, the Model S.

Pricing was released Monday in conjunction with a "configurator" for those who have ordered to let them choose their options.

As one might expect since it is larger, the base version of the Model X will be slightly slower than the Model S when it comes to performance. The SUV, which comes with all-wheel-drive, will clock in at zero to 60 miles per hour in 6 seconds, vs. 5.2 seconds for Model S. And because it's bigger, it won't quite have the same range, 220 miles per charge compared to 240 miles.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/11/23/tesla-model-x-price/76288918/

[still_one]

1. obviously they are catering to only a very limited population segment

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. Or perhaps....

Since they are built in only one factory and 100% electric vehicles still have a relatively narrow appeal, they are as yet, unable to take advantage of the economies of scale necessary to bring down prices.

[MrScorpio]

2. It would be nice when these vehicles actually become affordable.

Otherwise, they're just novelties for the wealthy.

[Zorro]

3. Musk is building brand recognition

I think the demand will be enormous when Tesla's "affordable" Model 3 is revealed to the public next March.

[ericson00]

9. definitely, and it unfortunately is the way it has to be.

It woulda been nice if the governments of countries coulda subsidized a portion of the price so Tesla could make it available to the masses, but oil lobbies are too powerful. So Musk is doing what he needs to do to build a top notch reputation and an association of electric cars with quality. Once the Model 3 comes out, I predict this will get huge.

[HuckleB]

4. How many people can afford that?

We make decent money, and yet we drive a 13-year-old Saturn, and a 4-year-old Chevy Equinox. Even if we gave up travel, we couldn't afford that, not even close. And percentage wise, our income is ridiculously good. We're lucky, but we're not THAT lucky. WTH?

[Victor_c3]

6. Compared to the cars I get ads for on DU, that is a bargain

who/whatever decides what advertisements to target me somehow in convinced that I'm in the market for a $170,000 Porsche Panamera Turbo. I get that ad probably 1/3rd of the time I open a page on DU

Maybe instead of getting a $170,000 Panamera Turbo for myself I'll surprise my wife and get matching $80,000 Tesla SUVs for us!!

[edhopper]

5. It's technology folks

The first Macintosh computer cost $2,500 in the 80's.

In time this will be affordable.

[dilby]

7. I am surprised to see that price so low.

The one thing I like about Tesla is they made all their patents public knowing other companies could jump in and offer electric cars to compete using Tesla technology. Which will eventually drop the price of the cars. It's like the first 1080 HD TV's early adopters paid an arm and a leg while if you waited to today they are dirt cheap because 4k is all the rage.

[madokie]

10. I'd love to have the cash to buy one

but those batwing rear doors turn me right the fuck off, sorry
Is this thing going to unfold some wings and fly away or is it going to just take a squat and shit

[nationalize the fed]

11. Those doors are going to be a nightmare

especially after the warranty runs out. The *motorized* door HANDLES on the model S have been a huge problem and it's >$1,000 to replace. https://www.google.com/search?&q=door+handles+site:teslamotorsclub.com

You can't work on your Tesla either- no manuals, except in Massachusetts. And they can just turn off the car if you disobey.

The doors also prevent a roof rack. And since the front doors are just regular doors the benefits of these things will only be noticed when someone loads a baby seat into the rear or something. Not worth the trouble and expense at all. Also- the middle seats don't fold flat.

The Model S also has a huge drive unit issue- it looks at this point that almost every single drive unit on the road will one day need replacement, and cars just delivered a few months ago are affected. Their burn rate is >$100 million a month, it will be interesting to see how long they last. If the X has a Drive unit problem it might not be too long.

[whatthehey]

12. 2.5 yrs 40k miles zero issues. Everything perfect, door handles and drive unit included

Anyone who bricks a drive unit is a moron and I'll let you in on a secret...eventually every ICE car's engine on the road today will have to be replaced, after that is several cars' worth of parts that Teslas don't have to fail. Sump pumps fail much less frequently than lawn mowers for the same reason: motors are more robust and durable than engines.

[joshcryer]

13. They over-engineered it.

Musk admitted as much himself.

I suspect there are going to be issues with it down the line as well.

Should've went straight to a no-nonsense car but he doesn't have the factory size to push 100k-200k cars a year.

But I'm fine with his approach (let the rich people buy it and let the company grow).