Tesla Model X P90D is more powerful than the Model S P90D

June 20th, 2016

When we first tested the new Model X P90D with Ludicrous mode at the drag strip running an amazing 11.6 @ 116 MPH at Palm Beach International Raceway we were quite surprised how quick and fast it was compared with the Model S P90D Ludicrous running 11.3 @ 116 MPH in a direct heads up race.

Given the extra 600+ pounds the Model X has to carry around over the Model S combined with Tesla’s own spec that both have the same motors, same battery and make the same power (532 HP motor power), the numbers just didn’t add up.  While the Model S beats the Model X off the line with 0-60 in 2.8 seconds vs 3.1, after the launch the cars were pretty much even.

Our thoughts were that the Model X was making power to make up for it’s weight penalty and after some more testing we found this to be true.  Using the PowerTools App to stream and record live data from the Tesla to our iPhone we recorded the power output of each car from from 0-125 MPH.  The max power output in for the Model X was 491 KW and the max for the Model S was just 451 KW.  Converting this to HP results in a 55 HP advantage for the Model X over the Model S.  Both cars were charged to 100% with Max Battery Power enabled and ready before the runs.

This power difference is pretty significant, especially since Tesla states the Model S P90D Ludicrous runs 10.9 in the 1/4 mile and yet nobody in the year or so the car has been out has been able to run these times at a real drag strip with most runs in the 11.2 -11.3 range.   Tesla states the Model X will run the 1/4 mile in 11.7 and we’ve easily beaten that with multiple 11.6 passes.    The extra 55HP would most likely put the Model S into the 10’s, so the question is why isn’t the Model S P90D making the power if it’s clear Tesla can make it happen?

To further mix things up there have been reports that recently built Model S P90D cars with Ludicrous and later firmware versions than what our car has have been logging 501 KW or 67HP more than older P90D Ludicrous cars.   Will a pending software update equailize things and put the Model S into the 10’s, we sure hope so!

Check out the graph below showing that the Model X is making more power than the S starting at about 40 MPH and screen shots from the PowerTools app showing the max output for each car.

Tesla-Model-S-vs-Model-X-P90D-Ludicrous-Power-Graph

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