It's official: Tesla's Model X launch event is on September 29
The official invites went out yesterday for ﻿Tesla’s Model X launch event, which, as expected, will be held on the evening of September 29 at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California. The long-awaited Model X, an electric sports utility vehicle, is the company’s third car, and it’s an important proving point for Tesla . With the Model X, Tesla is attempting to show that it can follow up its highly successful Model S sedan with another hit, and the car will also help Tesla transition into selling multiple products. The date of the launch is notable, as September 29 is just one day before the end of the third quarter, which is Tesla’s self-imposed deadline to get the first Model X cars to customers.

After years of waiting, Tesla's successor to the Model S sedan is coming.

Tesla Motors sent out invitations to the press for the launch of the Model X SUV Monday morning. The launch date is September 29, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk previously announced would be the day the Model X is first handed over to its buyers.

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The launch will be taking place at Tesla's Fremont, Calif. factory, just a few miles away from its Palo Alto headquarters.

First production cars will be handed over on Sept 29 at our Fremont factory— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2015(opens in a new tab)

While we haven't seen the final production Model X in the flesh just yet, online configurator screenshots give us a pretty good idea of what to expect.

The first models that will roll off the line are the Model X Signature Series, a limited-run version available to customers who placed an early pre-order that comes with nearly every option you can get. Prices for the signature series are $132,000-$143,750, but Musk said the Model X will cost $5,000 more than an equivalent Model S. Expect the cost of the Model X to start at $80,000 before incentives in that case.

Credit: Tesla Motors/Mashable Screenshot

The Model X was first announced in February 2012, with pre-orders beginning shortly thereafter, so this car's launch has been hotly anticipated, to say the least.

It's expected to broaden Tesla's appeal worldwide, reflecting the massive popularity of the luxury crossover/SUV segment currently. Tesla hopes the Model X will prove to be more popular with women(opens in a new tab), than the typically male-bought Model S.

This will be an important car for the still-young Tesla. The biggest question that remains is if the company will be able to scale up to meet demand. It has nearly three years' worth of pre-ordered cars to build before it can start winning over new customers with this new model.