Tesla launched its first luxury crossover SUV on Monday, which boasts doors shaped like a falcon, can seat seven people, and has a top speed of 155 mph.
The car costs $132,000 and is fitted with a 90 kWh battery that is able to travel 250 miles [400 km] on a single charge, carry up to seven people, and tow 5000 pounds [2268 kg] in weight.
"The mission of Tesla is to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport, and the sooner we do it, the better," Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the launch event.
The Tesla Model X car is test driven at the company's headquarters, September 29, 2015, in Fremont, California
© AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez
"With the Model X, we’ve created the safest SUV ever," said Musk, pointing to the model's camera, radar and sonar systems which help drivers avoid collisions, the automatic braking system, and the air conditioning filter that strips outside air of pollen, bacteria, viruses and pollution before it circulates in the cabin.
A Tesla Motors Model X electric sports-utility vehicle opens its falcon wing doors on stage during a presentation in Fremont, California September 29, 2015
© REUTERS / Stephen Lam
Tesla also demonstrated the advantage of its "Falcon Wing" door design, which rise up to allow passengers to get into the car comfortably, even if the Model X is hemmed in by other cars as little as 30 centimeters away.
The performance version of the Model X is capable of going from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, just a fraction slower than the 3.1 seconds the Tesla Model S performance needs to reach 60 mph.
At the launch on Tuesday, close to the company's factory in California Tesla handed over the first Model X's off the production line to their owners.
To date, the company has sold more than 78,300 Model S sedans and 2,100 Roadsters, and estimates that reservations made now for the Model X will be delivered in the latter half of 2016.
