Tesla to launch its long-awaited Model X tonight
Tonight in California, to much fanfare, Tesla will finally launch its long-awaited Model X electric SUV. As Fortune says today: “The Model X is a very important car for Tesla. The company is using it to transition into selling multiple products (not just its highly-acclaimed Model S), to attract new kinds of customers, and to significantly expand its California factory’s production…” It remains to be seen just how many X’s will actually be available to be driven away by their patient owners tonight, many reports are suggesting that it will probably only be a handful of lucky buyers who actually receive their cars, as availability of the X remains low. However, we do know that the X is already proving incredibly popular with buyers, as a subtle Tesla website change yesterday reflected that new reservations for the Model X SUV will not begin shipping until the second half of 2016, rather than the beginning of 2016 as originally posted, due to a run on demand. The main sentiment in the press today seems to be that the success of this product launch is extremely important to Tesla, mostly because the crossover category has such major competitors, so﻿ the﻿ launch of the Model X is hugely significant to the success of Tesla.

The first Tesla Model X “Signature Series” rolls off the assembly lines as Tesla has scheduled a launch event today on September 29 of 2015. The live stream begins at 8PM PT, and you can watch it here on the official Tesla website.

Since its inception, Tesla has excelled at bringing electric car technology into the gas dominated industry. It all started with the Tesla Roadster, a 2 seater sports car and launched the company and set the stage for today’s company flagship, the Tesla Model S. The model S has blazed new trails and every rating group has given it high marks. That means the only likely people that are interested in selling their Tesla model S is for other model S owners that want to upgrade to the P85 with the Ludacris button and the 0-60 drag time of 2.8 seconds.

The Model X is going to be a head turner for sure. With its Falcon Doors that open upright from the sides with hinges in the roof and all-wheel drive high stance, there was some concern initially that these doors might cause a problem in garages or if it ever gets turned over. However, Tesla states these issues have been solved.

With each new car introduction, Tesla has pushed towards the ultimate goal of bringing out the Model 3 which is a much anticipate mass market fully electric vehicle. Should Elon Musk’s goal of producing 500,000 Model X’s a year succeed, will lay the financial foundation for the long-awaited Model 3.

ALSO READ: Full specs and MSRP of Tesla Model X

The overall market will be the judge of whether or not the Model X will deliver on its goal of ushering in of the people’s Electric car. Time will tell. Nissan’s chief Carlos Ghosn might have something to say about that and the technology is racing toward a longer range lower priced electric car for the masses.

Elon Musk also stated in a Danish interview that he expected autonomous cars within 3 years but expected governments to stand in the way for a few years before the mass adoption could take place. The implications of autonomous cars represent the biggest potential market disruption ever.

Here is what you get in Signature X.

All-Wheel Drive

90 kWh Signature Series

240 miles range

3.8 seconds 0-60 mph

259 hp front, 503 hp rear motor power

155 mph top speed.

What are your expectations from this car?