Someone Just Imported the First Tesla Model X to India
A Tesla Model X has been imported to India, ostensibly to check its compatibility with the 4G network.
No, this isn’t Tesla’s official launch in India. At least, not just yet. A private buyer has imported a right-hand drive Tesla Model X to India and these images are doing the rounds on the Internet, showing how much excitement there is about the brand in India.
Tesla is not slated to enter India until 2019, but it looks like somebody couldn’t wait that long, and just had to have India’s first Tesla! And he or she couldn’t wait to show it off either, with a banner announcing its arrival at the port in Mumbai itself.
The Tesla Model X is Tesla’s rendition of an SUV. And it is right up there with the most expensive SUVs you can get. The fact that its all-electric, with two electric motors driving the front and rear axles, is a bonus. It is a seven-seat SUV as well.
The 100D model can travel 565 km on a single charge, which makes it pretty practical too, while the base 75D model can go 417 km on a single charge. All the models come with dual motors (all-wheel drive).
The Tesla Model X, even in its base variant, the 75D, puts out 259 bhp of power and 249 Nm of torque. It is capable of a top speed of 210 kmph, and can go from 0-100 kmph in 6.2 seconds. The more powerful 100D model can do 0-100 kmph in 3.2 seconds, which is enough to give some supercars a run for their money.
What makes the Tesla Model X unique, besides being an all-electric vehicle, is the fact that it is more about electronic wizardry than mechanical superiority. It needs Wi-Fi or mobile network connectivity to function, and the car can be updated over the air.
And it has falcon-wing rear doors that are quite a sight to behold. Watch this one upstage a Lamborghini Aventador with its performance.
Unconfirmed reports state that the car has been imported to test with the Reliance Jio network (to see if it can run on a 4G network). The car costs over $1,30,000 in the US. With duties, it could cost well over Rs 2 crore in India.
Also Read: Elon Musk Seeks Import Duty Exemption to Sell Teslas in India
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)