Elon Musk reveals production Tesla Model X; yes, it’s got Ludicrous mode

After much, much talk, Elon Musk finally revealed his latest creation: the Model X SUV at an event in Fremont, CA last night.

Even though it’s been about two years from the date Musk originally promised having the Model X finished, he must be proud to say that his company now offers, or has in the past, vehicles in three different segments: roadster, mid-size sedan and SUV.

I guess the only real issue is that as the Model X has been fermenting over the last few years, other manufacturers have caught up on the styling front; it’s hard not to see a little Mercdes-Benz GLE Coupe here, and a little BMW X4 there when it comes to the Model X’s lines.

That’s where the comparison stops, however. One you start opening the doors and really considering the Tesla, you can see how unique it is. The panorama windshield, for example, is the one of the biggest—in not the biggest—we’ve ever seen on a production car, and it does a good job lf reminding us what movies like Blade Runner or I, Robot imagined futuristic cars to look like.

Then there are the doors; yes, they’re roof-hinged gullwing-style, but we all wondered how they’d work in the tight confines of the suburban mall parkade or your own garage. Well, what Tesla’s done, is program sensors into each door to determine what’s going on around them. They then use that information to automatically determine just how far they can open (they’re automatic). Pretty cool.

Or, consider the HVAC system. Which, apparently, uses such a robust HEPA filter that it would keep its occupants safe in the event of a biological attack. You read that right: there’s a button marked with a biohazard warning sign that will actually keep the occupants safe should mustard gas mortars start detonating above. Weird? Yes. But then, remember: on Tesla’s last big reveal, of the Model S P90D, some of the biggest news was that there was an “Ludicrous” driving mode. Maybe the “bioweapon defense mode” isn’t so outlandish after all.

Oh, speaking of “Ludicrous” mode: the Model X gets one, too, assuming you spec the P90D version. That provides access to enough power to perform the 0-100 km/h sprint in just over three seconds, an 11.7-second quarter mile and the ability to tow 5,000 lbs.

If you spec the standard 90D vehicle, then you’re stuck with “only” 518 horsepower, as opposed to the P90D’s 762 hp.

Of course, all this tech doesn’t come cheap; expect a US $130,000 base MSRP when the Model X starts being more readily available; six people that attended the launch event already have theirs.