The Model X is Already Getting an Update

Tesla Model X (Credit: Tesla Motors)

The ink is still drying on the purchase contracts for the first allotment of Model Xs and it is already getting an update. Fortunately, this change isn’t anything that’ll drive early adopters to Tesla stores to raise a stink about being left out in the cold for some awesome, new technology.

The change that Tesla announced is just a slight tweak to the base version of the electric crossover. The Model X will lose its original base model, the 70D, and gain a new 75D version. For those who do not know how Tesla’s naming system works, that means the base model now has an extra 5 kWh of battery capacity. With the higher-capacity battery comes a 17-mile enhancement to the base Model X’s range, bringing it to 237 miles. Oddly enough, this higher capacity has resulted in a decreased top speed from 140 mph to 130 mph.

With a new, higher-capacity battery comes a little more cost as the new 75D variant runs $83,000, which is $3,000 increase over the outgoing 70D.

Delivery of the Model X has been a bit of a slow roll, as those who picked up the higher trim levels—the 90D and P 90D versions—have to wait until May to get their vehicle. Folks looking to pick up this new base model have an even longer wait as it will not be ready for delivery until June 2016, assuming Tesla can meet its promises this time around.

Given the rate at which Tesla updates its vehicles, I am sure we’ll have many more changes like this in the near future.