After first being revealed by a ‘Tesla hacker’ through a cryptic message to Elon Musk five months ago, then being approved earlier this month by RDW (the Dutch regulator and European authority used by Tesla to approve its vehicles for European roads), Tesla’s new battery pack has been finally officially announced and it was worth the wait.

The automaker released the specs for the P100D version for both the Model S and the Model X, and the performance numbers will blow your mind. Tesla now claims the title for ‘the Quickest Production Car in the World’ with the Model S.

Here are the main specs:

Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode Range: 315 miles (EPA Estimate) / 613 km (NEDC Estimate)

0-60 mph acceleration: 2.5 seconds

0-100 km/h acceleration: 2.7 seconds

Price: starts at $134,500 Model X P100D with Ludicrous Mode Range: 289 miles (EPA Estimate) / 542 km (NEDC Estimate)

0-60 mph acceleration: 2.9 seconds

0-100 km/h acceleration: 3.1 seconds

Price: starts at $135,500

Yep, you read that right. An all-electric 4-door sedan with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds and a SUV with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration under 3 seconds.

Elon Musk described the new P100D pack as “complex” and that Tesla will first focus on the performance P100D version and the 100D will follow “several months” later.

Model S and Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode are available for order right now. He added that they plan for “200 P100Ds per week” right now, but he sees the number increasing in the coming months. It represents about 10% of Tesla’s current production of ~2,000 vehicles per week.

For the 100 kWh battery pack, Tesla is using the same battery cell, but a new module and pack architecture, new cooling system and electronics. CTO JB Straubel described the upgrade as a “significant change”.

The exterior of the pack is the same, which means that it is available as an upgrade. Existing P90D with Ludicrous mode owners can upgrade to a P100D for a $20,000 fee. It is not a software upgrade. The actual pack will be replaced and the used 90kWh pack will have to be recycled.

Tesla customers who have ordered a P90D with Ludicrous mode, but have not taken delivery of their vehicle may choose to upgrade to P100D for $10,000.

Musk made it clear during a press conference that this upgrade will be the limit of the current pack form with the current battery cell. Any upgrade in energy capacity would only become available with the new battery cell:

“We are quite close to theoretical limit,” Musk said

Tesla is also introducing the new Tesla Premium Seats, originally available in the Model X, to the Model S, but only for the P90D and P100D.

Musk emphasised that the news today is not just important for the people able to afford these new $135,000 versions:

“For the first time, the fastest accelerating production car in the world is an electric car. I think this sends a great message to the public about the future of transportation.”

He also added that customers buying the P100D versions are paying for the development of the Model 3 and they will also help Tesla understand the new battery architecture.

Musk refused to comment on if the new cars will be upgradable for new autonomous features other than what will become available with software v8.0, which should be released soon, Musk says.

Additionally, Musk said that the new pack has no material effect on charging.

Tesla’s full blog post about the release:

New Tesla Model S Now the Quickest Production Car in the World The Model S P100D with Ludicrous mode is the third fastest accelerating production car ever produced, with a 0-60 mph time of 2.5* seconds. However, both the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder were limited run, million dollar vehicles and cannot be bought new. While those cars are small two seaters with very little luggage space, the pure electric, all-wheel drive Model S P100D has four doors, seats up to 5 adults plus 2 children and has exceptional cargo capacity. The 100 kWh battery also increases range substantially to an estimated 315 miles on the EPA cycle and 613 km on the EU cycle, making it the first to go beyond 300 miles and the longest range production electric vehicle by far. The larger battery pack is also available on the Model X, making the world’s quickest SUV even faster. Model X P100D with Ludicrous mode accelerates to 60 mph in 2.9* seconds and travels up to 289 miles EPA and 542 km EU on a single charge. Model X is also a pure electric SUV and can seat up to seven adults. Model S and Model X are engineered to be the safest cars on the road and to have the highest ratings from NHTSA. Both have access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the freedom to travel long distance for free. And every Tesla will improve over time with free over the air upgrades. Tesla customers who have ordered a P90D Ludicrous, but not taken delivery, can upgrade to the 100 kWh pack for $10,000. Existing P90D Ludicrous owners can also upgrade to a 100 kWh pack, but for $20,000, as their used 90 kWh pack will have to be recycled. While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development. Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development. * Expected value using max power mode and Motor Trend benchmark

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