What Is Tesla’s D, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

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Late Thursday night, Elon Musk, the CEO of electric carmaker Tesla, revealed his company’s latest automobile, the superpowered Model D.

You may have heard about it — either the car, which has an awesome new feature called Autopilot, or the run-up to the reveal, during which Musk tweeted that he was ready to “unveil the D.”

Many sophomoric jokes ensued. But now that Musk has indeed unveiled the D — the Model D — it’s still making headlines. So what makes the Model D such an important vehicle? And why is everyone talking about it? It’s about time for us to demystify the D.

What is the Model D?
The D is a special version of Tesla’s Model S sedan. The Model D designation stands for the dual motors that push the car’s front and rear wheels, making the new Model D an all-wheel drive vehicle. The original Model S was available only in rear-wheel drive.

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Why all the hype?
It turns out that Musk’s new car is getting more new stuff than just an extra motor. The vehicle also comes equipped with Tesla’s new Autopilot feature, and it will (eventually) do exactly what it sounds like it will.

Using a series of 360-degree sensors, radars, and cameras, Autopilot will let the Model D, and the standard Model S for that matter, “read” the road. It will be able to see road lines and change lanes for you, adjust your speed based on speed limit signs it sees, and detect nearby cars.

Eventually, the vehicle will be able to control itself on the highway — though not right now. The Model D is not a completely autonomous car, like the self-driving car Google is making, but with future software updates the feature will “ultimately give Model S Autopilot capability on the highway from on-ramp to off-ramp.”

According to Engadget, Musk told the crowd at the vehicle’s unveiling that owners will even be able to call it to their locations, as long as they’re on private property.

Aren’t other car manufacturers doing this, too?
Yes and no. Automakers around the world currently equip their vehicles with features such as lane guidance, which tells you if you’re leaving your lane and, in some cases, can keep you in it.

Automated cruise control, which is also available from a variety of automakers, keeps your vehicle driving at a set speed and, if it senses another car in front of you, will automatically slow down to match its speed. Once the car is out of your way, the feature will accelerate your car back to your previously set speed.

The Tesla’s Autopilot also includes automated parking features, which other automakers have been offering for quite some time. The folks at Audi have also been developing a means to call your car to you from a parking garage or send it to a space.

So why is everyone going so bananas for this car?
Many cars come with impressive safety systems today, but few are going as far with advanced technology to address common safety concerns as Tesla. According to the company, the cars that are rolling off the assembly line that are equipped with Autopilot are the same ones that will be able to navigate highways on their own in the coming years. It’s just a matter of downloading future software updates. (Oh, and for laws to catch up with the technology.) That’s reason enough to get excited.

In general, though, Tesla causes a lot of excitement, and not just among gearheads. Tesla is a relatively small car company, but it’s already a household name thanks to its innovative electric powertrain, impressive creature comforts, and slick design. Heck, the car has a 17-inch touchscreen in its center console. More importantly, Tesla was one of the first automakers to prove that electric cars could be efficient, stylish, and fun to drive.

Is that all that makes the D special?
Not in the least. Beyond its high-tech features, the Model D, according to Tesla, is the fastest four-door sedan on earth.

Tesla’s original Model S was already a sports sedan on electric steroids. With the Model D, however, Tesla has cranked up the power considerably.

In fact, with a 0–60 mph time of 3.2 seconds, this thing’s acceleration is on par with some Ferraris and Porsches.

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According to The Verge, Musk equated the Model D’s acceleration to “taking off from a carrier deck. It’s bananas. It’s like having your own personal roller coaster that you can use at any time.”

Oh, and since the Model D is all-wheel drive, it will handle significantly better in cold-weather states. Rear-wheel drive cars, like the Model S, are generally terrible to operate in the snow, as they tend to slide all over the road. All-wheel drive helps keep the car planted in one lane by letting each of the vehicle’s wheels push and pull.

Will that impact the car’s battery performance?
That’s the thing. According to BGR, the Model D’s range and efficiency actually increase versus the Model S. That’s an impressive feat, considering that the Model D is faster and more powerful than its sibling.

So what has the reception for the D been like?
Well, if posts from various outlets and testers are to be believed, the car is pretty fantastic.

Sounds great. How much will it cost?
Quite a lot. The base version of the Model S 60D will cost about $75,000. Go for the top-of-the-line, blow-the-doors-off-the-competition Model S P85D, and you’ll end up forking over $120,170.

But, hey, if you’ve got the cash to spend on a supercar, why not go for it?

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley or on Google+ here.