In the realm of electric vehicles, the Model X Plaid stands out from the crowd. Unlike its competitors, such as the Rivian R1S, which is designed for off-road adventures, the Model X Plaid is built for ultra-fast urban driving. With its four Bosch motors, seven-person seating capacity, and impressive 872 hp output, the Rivian R1S puts up a good fight, but it’s no match for the Model X Plaid.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Model X Plaid has a zero-emission range of 326 miles. This impressive figure is made possible by a 95-kWh battery composed of 18650 Panasonic cells with a nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) cathode. It’s worth noting that the Model X Plaid does not utilize Tesla’s proprietary 4680 cells, which have failed to demonstrate superior performance.
Under ideal conditions, the Model X Plaid, available only in a six-seater configuration, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mind-boggling 2.5 seconds. This remarkable feat is achieved thanks to three permanent magnet motors that spin at incredible speeds, generating a whopping 1,020 hp. Regardless of your driving experience, these figures are sure to impress.
During a 70-mph highway range test, the Model X Plaid showcased its capabilities. Equipped with 20-inch Cyberstream wheels for a smoother ride and improved performance, the EV had accumulated approximately 6,300 miles on the odometer, indicating minimal battery degradation.
Before embarking on the test, the driver charged the vehicle to 100% at a DC dispenser. The vehicle computer displayed an estimated range of 335 miles. With the suspension set to “very low” to minimize drag, and the A/C set to auto at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), the driver began the test. Notably, the heated seats remained off throughout the test.
Throughout the test, the outside temperature ranged between 40 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 12 degrees Celsius), with snowfall occurring at one point. After driving 69 miles, 25% of the battery had been consumed, resulting in an average energy consumption of 349 Wh per mile.
Continuing on, another quarter of the battery was used to cover an additional 67 miles, depleting half of the energy storage unit after a total distance of 136 miles. At this point, reaching the EPA rating was no longer feasible.
To complete the test, the driver covered an additional 60 miles, consuming another 25% of the battery. Ultimately, the Model X Plaid reached a zero percent state of charge (SoC) after traveling a total of 273 miles (439 kilometers) with an efficiency of 335 Wh per mile. The EV consumed a total of 91 kWh of energy, leaving approximately 4 kWh as an emergency reserve, equivalent to 13 miles of remaining range. In total, the driver utilized 95 kWh of energy to cover a distance of 286 miles (460 kilometers).
In the realm of tabloid-style reporting, the recent assessment of the highway range showcased a notable deviation of 40 miles from the official EPA findings. This disparity, however, was not entirely surprising given the influence of external temperature on electric vehicle batteries. In particular, the eSUV model necessitates a greater amount of energy to sustain an average velocity of 70 mph on the highway. Furthermore, it is worth noting that this particular Tesla variant boasts three motors, suggesting that the dual-motor iteration may exhibit more favorable results compared to its high-performance counterpart.
Taking all factors into consideration, the Model X Plaid managed to meet expectations without delivering any particularly remarkable or extraordinary outcomes. Nevertheless, the overall performance can still be deemed satisfactory.
According to the Source autoevolution.com