Tesla has boosted
the ranges of its long-distance Model S and Model X vehicles thanks to a new
electric motor design. According to the electric car manufacturer, the Model S
Long Range now boasts a range of 595 km, 56 km more than
it could previously achieve. Similarly, the Model X Long Range can now travel
up to 523 km on a single charge, a bump of 48 km)over
the previous model.
The Tesla Model S
Performance and Model X Performance also benefit from the car manufacturer’s
newly designed electric motors and boast ranges of 555 km and 490 km respectively.
All of these models
achieve their newly improved range figures while retaining the same 100 kWh
battery pack of the previous models. All of the efficiency gains come from an
optimized permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor, silicon carbide power
electronics, as well as improved lubrication, cooling, bearings, and gear
designs. Tesla says this results in efficiency improvements in both directions
as energy flows out of the battery during accelerating and back into the
battery through regenerative braking.
Tesla also says its
new-and-improved electric motors results in significant power and torque
increases for all Model S and Model X variants but hasn’t provided specifics.
However, it has been confirmed that the new Tesla Model S Long Range will hit 96 km/h in 3.7 seconds, an improvement of 0.4 seconds over the
previous model. The Model X Long Range does the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds.
All Tesla Model S
and Model X versions are now capable of achieving 200 kW charging on V3
Superchargers and 145 kW on V2 Superchargers. Tesla will also introduce a new
adaptive suspension system for the Model S and Model X.