Featured
Dual-Motor P85D Is The More Well-Endowed Model S We All Wanted
Last night Elon Musk unveiled the highly-anticipated D, and although he joked about Velcro-seamed pants and tossed out the word “shaft” within the first couple of minutes, the official unveiling was strictly automotive related. As we had guessed last week when Musk tweeted out about pulling the cover off of the D and “something else,” the single-letter designation of the exciting new offering from the electric car maker has nothing to do with genitalia, but rather the drivetrain of the model.
The P85D is the essentially a higher-performance, all-wheel version of the Model S sedan, but rather than splitting the power of a single engine between four wheels like most AWD systems, the new Tesla model gives the greedy front axle its own personal motor. When working in tandem, the pair of electric motors are able to give the P85D a set of capabilities that are far superior to those generated by the single-motor Model S.
Musk has stated that one of the goals of the D was to try and match the acceleration of the McLaren F1, but with a zero to sixty time of an astonishing 3.2-seconds, the dual-motor sedan not only meets the iconic super car’s acceleration—it exceeds it.
Throughout the duration of the D unveil, the Tesla CEO continuously searches for words to describe the P85D and while “nuts” and “bananas” seem to be a bit elementary, it really is difficult to put the P85D into words. Musk is more on track when he compares the new offering to having a personal roller coaster. It may seem like a bit of a stretch, but considering the pair of motors are able to pound out a remarkable, and sure to be battery-draining output of 691 horsepower and 687 lb-ft of torque, the metaphor isn’t far off.
Like many electric cars on the market, the D variation of the P85 will allow drivers to alter performance to better match the driving experience that they seek, but seeing as the power output of the electric car is far beyond what would be considered “Sport,” Tesla has decided to add a more unconventional, yet precisely realistic new mode that has been simply dubbed “Insane.”
Although the addition of a second motor was the big news at last night’s unveil, the mysterious “something else” that Musk promised is also stimulating to say the least. If the announcement of 700 horsepower wasn’t enough to whet your desire for the P85D, you’ll be sure to get roped in by the fact that the dual-motor sedan will be wired with a top-of-the-line autopilot system.
With the addition of a forward-looking radar, a camera with image recognition capability to scan speed limit signs and traffic lights, 360-degree ultrasonic sonar and a system that incorporates navigation, GPS and real-time traffic reports, the P85D can do just about everything without any input from the driver. The system is not technically fully autonomous, but it’s about as close as you can get. Plus, according to Musk, the addition of the technology will allow the car to pull some Knight Rider-style badassery.
Word is that the P85D will have the ability to be summoned. It can’t pick you in front of a restaurant or anything like that, but Musk has said that it will be able to pull itself out of the garage and meet you out front when it’s called upon. Um, yes please.
The summoning feature itself is worth the $120,000 price tag. The autopilot technology sounds great and it probably looks even better on the insanely-oversized 17-inch dash display, but in all honesty, you can get adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping system in a high percentage of new 2015 models on the market. You cannot, on the other hand, tell your Honda Accord to warm itself up and get its ass outside on those unbearably cold mornings. Call it nuts. Call it bananas. Call it whatever you want.
All I know is that I want the D.
If you missed the official unveiling of the D, you can get all that you need to know in less than 15 minutes by watching the official video from Tesla below. While watching, be sure to listen closely for the guy with the balls of steel at 23 seconds yell out “SHOW US YOUR D!” Also notice that Elon actually takes a second to acknowledge the heckler while transitioning into the Velcro pants bit.
Ingeniously smooth.
Featured
Ford Continues to Please Minivan-Skeptic Soccer Moms
If the words Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar mean anything to you, you know that Ford is responsible for some of the best minivans ever made. Beginning with the first model Aerostar in 1986, Ford’s snub-nosed minivan set the standard of what would be created by automotive manufacturers in this class for decades.
The Aerostar was also the first minivan in the United States to feature upgraded, luxury packages. With an XLT package, and Eddie Bauer trim levels, the Ford Aerostar allowed drivers to bring passengers, cargo and more in style. For the first time, drivers could take advantage of the versatile and reliable minivan platform, without sacrificing comfort and convenience.
Does Ford Still Make a Minivan?
The Aerostar continued in the mid-90s as the Ford Windstar. The Windstar was a complete reinvention, shifting the drivetrain from RWD to FWD, and bringing the flagship minivan more in line with current minivan design. The Windstar became the Freestar in the early 2000s, lasting until the 2007 model year, with the final Ford “Star line” minivan rolling off the assembly line in December of 2006.
While we don’t know for sure what was behind Ford’s decision to discontinue their family-marketed minivan, we can take a guess. For starters, Ford has extended their reputation for reliable cars and trucks into the crossover market. With options covering a wide range of size and seating configurations (everything from the subcompact Ford Ecosport to the boxy family hauler Ford Flex), crossovers have become the new favorite for family vehicles.
Ford’s versatile crossover line has a vehicle that can meet almost any need. Do you have a small family? Go with the popular 2018 Ford Escape. Big family with lots of stuff to haul? The 2018 Ford Expedition has your back.
Although crossovers and SUVs provide some distinct advantages (presence of AWD, higher ground clearance, and uni-body construction), the market for minivans hasn’t completely died, and neither has Ford’s commitment to providing drivers with a competent and compelling option.
Good News: Ford Still Makes a Passenger Minivan
Although Ford’s marketing has shifted toward promoting their incredible range of crossovers and SUVs as family choices, they still offer a more traditional minivan in the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon. Utilizing the same body construction as the Ford Transit cargo van, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon features up to 7 seats, and plenty of standard safety and comfort technology.
Lower ride height (easier in and out), sliding doors and greater visibility are among the reasons people still prefer vans for transporting their families. Additionally, the more contoured shape of most crossovers (not looking at you, Ford Flex) means that vans provide better cargo room! Family of four traveling cross-state with three suitcases? A Ford Explorer should be a great option.
Family of six, with a dog and 10 bags going cross-country, however, and the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon starts to look a lot more up to the job.
Ford has a sterling reputation across the spectrum of vehicles they manufacture. Although the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon isn’t among their more well-known, it’s among the most competent and best value options in the minivan class.
Featured
I Wasn’t Always a Dale Jr Fan – But Now I Get It
It was the crowning moment of the career of Nascar’s most popular driver. The 2004 Daytona 500. The chosen son, Dale Earnhardt Jr, had won the race that his father tragically died competing in only three years earlier.
Reports of the day say that everyone in the crowd was on their feet, cheering. Grown men were in tears. It was quite the moment, they say.
Well, I can tell you that there was at least one person that wasn’t cheering. That’s because I was that lone defector. (more…)
Featured
The Essence Of 90’s Chevy Truck Commercials
If you ever watched television for more than an hour at any time during the 90’s, you probably remember Chevy’s “Like a Rock” commercials. They aired on just about every channel, so they were pretty hard to miss—and pretty hard to forget as well. Even two decades later the sound of Bob Seger belting out those now-famous words is still shockingly memorable. (more…)
-
Comparisons10 years ago
Ford Raptor Has No Reason To Fear The Reaper
-
Comparisons10 years ago
Nissan Titan Diesel Gets Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s Sloppy Seconds
-
Comparisons10 years ago
Settling The Debate: Pony Cars vs. Muscle Cars
-
New Cars9 years ago
The Ram Rebel Is Coming – But Is It Raptor Competition?
-
Comparisons10 years ago
Did The 2015 Corvette Defeat The Viper In The Battle For Supercar Supremacy?
-
New Cars10 years ago
2016 Honda Ridgeline Will Need More Than Design Tweaks To Succeed
-
Hot News10 years ago
Nissan Unveils Overhauled Maxima in Genius “Luxury Restored” Sequel
-
Comparisons10 years ago
2016 Ford vs Chevy Battle Could Be The Best Yet