MOTOR

though expect that to rise to the $150-
$170K mark depending on options fitted
(there’s a lengthy list). Crucially, the
Model S interior has received a mid-life
refresh, with better seats – including
excellent highly-bolstered performance
seats available front and rear – revised
switchgear, a wider variety of interior
trim, bigger sunvisors and a self-closing
charge port. Cleverly, this means the car
can’t be unplugged unless the doors are
unlocked, so mischevious kids can’t cut
short your charge.
Take a long blink and the car is likely
to have changed, though, with Musk
estimating Tesla implements about 20
modifications a week.
All Australian-delivered cars will also
be fitted with Tesla’s autopilot system.
In theory, the P85D can drive itself,
autopilot controlling throttle, brakes and
steering, with lane changes performed
with a simple flick of the indicator stalk.
It can also find its own parking spaces,

though legal hurdles confine that talent to

private property at the moment.

Perhaps the P85D’s most amazing

feature, though, even more so than its

incredible acceleration, is its ability to

sync with your calendar, check prevailing

traffic conditions to find out your

commute length, then turn on the climate

control, open the garage door and meet

you at the kerb at the appropriate time.

The Tesla Model S may take car

connectivity to new heights, but ever

the showman, Musk knows that there’s

no better way to stir the imaginations

of Tesla fence sitters than to conjure a

hulking alpha male performance version.

How will the psychological landscape

shift when the RS, M and AMG owners

of the world realise that when a Model S

P85D rolls up at the lights, they haven’t

got a hope? Brace yourselves, because

the quickest-accelerating sedan in the

world isn’t German any more, it’s from

California. M

11113

MODEL S P85D

Engine front and rear electric motors

Power 515kW

Torque 931Nm

Weight 2239kg

0-100km/h 3.4sec (claimed)

Price $133,500

“Our goal was to match one of the

fastest cars ever made: the McLaren F1”

ELON MUSK

Better seats, new

switchgear and more

interior options part

of Model S mid-life

facelift; P85D lands in

Oz mid-year

d motorofficial f motor_mag^25