The Tesla Model S Went 'Ludicrous' after 'Insane'

Tesla Motors insanity didn’t end with the ‘Insane' mode, the new range-topping model packs $10K optional 762 hp 'Ludicrous' mode — hitting naught to 100 kmph in a freaking 2.8 seconds and yup it still is a sedan! 

Tesla Motors updated the Model S last year, they added few features along with the new range-topping dual-motor P85D all-wheel-drive variant. And I guess you all have seen the crazy videos of Model S P85D doing drag races and funny stuff with co-passengers and P85D’s Insane mode! Well, Tesla went even further, they have added a Ludicrous mode in an optional range-topping monster with 762 horses humming out from the same P85D's two electric motors. 

The 726 horses are not required in a 4-door family sedan! And indeed the Model S looks so understated. For a person who doesn't know anything about Tesla Model S, first impressions would result into, like, it's a normal 4-door family saloon. And I guess that’s how all those crazy Insane mode videos on YouTube went viral; because at the outset, the uninitiated people just cannot guess what’s in store for them! Moreover, with the Insane mode, this 4-door saloon has humiliated several supercars in the drag races. And I’m sure there are a whole new bunch of videos pouring in soon with the Ludicrous mode flashing past everything as the Model S' 0-100 kmph time is in sub-3 second territory, woo!  

You must be wondering that Tesla might have bumped the motors of the S, but this isn’t the case here. The Model S P85 D (D stands for Dual motors - all wheel drive) still has the same power output from the motors - 259 hp at front and 503 hp at rear. However, what Tesla has done is, they bumped up the amperage from 1300 amps to 1500 amps. And the Model S P85D now uses an optional 10,000 $ intelligent fuses that can withstand all this. According to Tesla, they have ‘developed a fuse with its own electronics and a tiny lithium-ion battery. It constantly monitors current at the millisecond level and is pyro-actuated to cut power with extreme precision and certainty’.

Let the figures do the talking, the P85D with options 10K $  Ludicrous Speed Upgrade hits 100 kmph in a startling 2.8 seconds, 10.9 seconds to the ¼ mile and hits a top speed of 155 mph (250 kmph). The all-electric carmaker has also upgraded the battery pack in the 85 D models. New buyers now have the option of upgrading the pack energy from 85 to 90 kWh for $3k, which provides about 6% increased range. Tesla is promising that their current longest range model the 85 D will extract nearly 300 miles (480 kms+) with 65 mph (just a whisker over 100 kmph) freeway driving.

So before I conclude, there's one thing that is keeping me occupied - what do you think would be the next mode in a Tesla after ‘Insane’ and ‘Ludicrous'? Even when you search for synonyms for Insane, Google shows you ‘Ludicrous’. Looking at the other synonyms from the list I guess Elon Musk, Tesla’s boss - the real-life Iron Man aka Tony Stark, would go with ‘bizarre’ or maybe ‘moronic’. Indeed, Musk hinted in his blog - ‘Three Dog Day’ revealing the Ludicrous mode a couple of days ago  - “There is of course only one thing beyond ludicrous, but that speed is reserved for the next generation Roadster in 4 years.” (see the first-gen Tesla Roadster below) 

  PS: For existing P85D owners, Tesla is proving half price upgrade to Ludicrous Speed Upgrade - 5000 $ in the USA for the next 5 months plus installation labor as this is not just another software trick!