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Tesla expands the Model X lineup with more affordable (and less capable) models

For many, the Tesla Model X Signature Edition‘s $132,000 sticker price is as astounding as its falcon doors. Buyers who don’t like the idea of spending Porsche 911 GT3 money on a crossover are in luck, because California-based Tesla has just announced plans to launch two more affordable versions of the Model X called 90D and 70D, respectively.

The 90D is powered by an all-electric drivetrain that consists of a 259-horsepower electric motor mounted over each axle and a 90kWh battery pack. It takes 4.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop and it’s capable of driving for up to 257 miles on a single charge. To put those figures into perspective, the range-topping P90D completes the 0-to-60 sprint in 3.2 seconds with Ludicrous Mode turned on, and its maximum driving range checks in at 250 miles.

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The entry-level model is the Model X 70D, which gets by with a smaller 70kWh battery pack. It looks nearly identical to its more expensive siblings and it uses the same falcon doors, but it takes six seconds to reach 60 mph from a stop and the smaller pack limits its range to 220 miles.

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Industry trade journal Automotive News reports the Tesla Model X 70D carries a base price of $80,000 before a mandatory $1,200 delivery charge is factored in, a sum that represents a $5,000 premium over a comparably equipped Model S. Buyers who want six seats need to shell out $3,000, seven seats can be ordered in exchange for $4,000, and the new Autopilot feature is priced as $2,500. Pricing information for the 90D model hasn’t been made public yet, though Tesla is inviting interested parties to reserve the model of their choice by sending a $5,000 deposit.

It takes patience to own a Tesla. According to Automotive News, deliveries of the P90D flagship are scheduled to start in a couple of months, 90D deliveries will begin next summer, and the 70D isn’t scheduled to arrive until later next year.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
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