I tested Tesla's 'Ludicrous' Model S in the Palo Alto mountains

Having just come off the debut of the Tesla Model X, I didn't think that driving the Model S could even compare to the high-riding, $142,000 SUV. How wrong I was.

When I returned the Tesla headquarters the next morning, I was tossed the keys (well, fob, actually) to the new Model S P90D (Performance 90-kilowatt-hour dual-motor) with 'Ludicrous' acceleration mode.

I sat in the driver's seat while the batteries self-conditioned (heated themselves up) to provide peak levels of performance. Meanwhile, from the passenger seat, the Tesla representative pulled up on the 17-inch touchscreen directions to the mountains outside Palo Alto, California. Once they loaded, she bid me adieu with a quick wave. Read more...