Tesla Unveils New Model S Supercar and Autopilot Features for Electric Cars

By Isaiah Narciso
Tesla
Tesla

Tesla Motors Inc. unveiled the latest version of its Model S electric sedan on Thursday at a glitzy event in an airport just outside of Los Angeles along with a new automated driving system.

The car, introduced by Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk as "The D," runs on all-wheel-drive and contains one motor in the front and another in the back. Tesla claimed that The D can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph with a 275-mile range.

"This car is nuts," Musk said. "It's like taking off from a carrier deck. It's just bananas."

Musk also mentioned that the most recent cars coming off the Tesla assembly line has been equipped with autopilot technology. According to an article published in Businessweek, the electric car company added radar to sense and avoid objects and tied its GPS into the system to let interesting things happen now and in the future.

"You can step out of the car and have it park itself in the garage," Musk said. "Later, you will be able to summon the car. It will come to wherever you are. There's also something else I would like to do. Many of our engineers will be hearing this in real time. I would like the charge connector to plug itself into the car, sort of like an articulating snake. I think we will probably do something like that."

According to an article posted in the Wall Street Journal, the new autopilot features rely on a combination of radar, sonar and cameras to detect and recognize stop signs, pedestrians and highway barriers. A Huffington Post article noted that the autopilot will also enable the car to park on its own without a driver and monitor its environment to help out the driver, including a computer that reads speed-limit signs and adjusts the car's speed accordingly.

Tesla built The D, a faster version of the Model S, in an all-wheel-drive configuration to allow for better road handling, improved efficiency and boosts in power and acceleration. Huffington Post reports that the top model of the D fleet, the AD P85D, is expected to start shipping this December, while other models will follow suit in February 2015.

However, some people had a few reservations about Tesla's newest supercar. Carter Driscoll, a senior analyst at an investment bank, told Huffington Post that Musk drummed up excitement for the all-wheel drive announcement, considering that overall electric car sales in the United States in 2014 remained stagnant.

"I have heard some people in cooler climates question the handling," said Driscoll.

Driscoll later said that Tesla wanted "to continue to generate buzz about this great vehicle and that it's continuing to move forward," noting that "it's not a stagnant vehicle."

Tesla has set the cost of the Model S around $120,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. Adding a second motor and the autopilot system would cost an extra $14,600 and $4,250 respectively.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo