Tesla cars get faster as company announces new 100-kilowatt battery

The Tesla Model S sedan is now the third-fastest car in the world. Photo / AP

The Tesla Model S sedan is now the third-fastest car in the world, the luxury electric automaker announced this week.

The car can now accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour (95 kph) in 2.5 seconds in "Ludicrous speed mode," according to the company, rather than 2.8 seconds thanks to a new, but long-rumoured 100-kilowatt battery that will also let the car travel farther, up to 315 miles, on a single charge.

The battery is available in both the Model S and Model X, an SUV, that can now accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds, according to the company, making it the fastest SUV in the world.

"Range anxiety has long been one of the biggest obstacles for the adoption of electric cars," said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of industry analysis at Edmunds. "By developing vehicles with longer range batteries, Tesla is moving the ball forward not just for itself but the entire [electric vehicle] industry. For now, only folks who can afford a six-figure vehicle will be able to enjoy the luxury of faster speeds and longer range, but this is the sort of innovation that will improve the electric car's reputation with sceptical shoppers."

Customers who have purchased "P90D" models of the sedan and SUV but have not yet had them delivered, can upgrade from the existing 90-kilowatt battery to the 100-kilowatt battery for another $10,000, the company said.

Drivers who already have their vehicles but want to upgrade batteries can do so for $20,000.

The upgrade would make the vehicles "P100D" models, higher-end versions of the cars, where 100 measures the battery power.

The Model S P100D will start at $134,500, and the Model X 100D will start at $135,500.

Tesla said in its statement that upcoming Model 3 sedan vehicles, expected to sell for $35,000, will have the 100-kilowatt battery.

Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.

"While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasise that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development," the company said in a statement.

"Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development."

The LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder can outrun the Tesla Model S sedan.

Is Tesla's Model S the 'fastest production' car?

An investigation by Jalopnik has determined Tesla as the fastest production car in the world, however, it is tied in the top spot with Porsche.

Jalopnik pointed out while technically the Model S is not the fastest as that would imply top speed, it is in fact the quickest going from 0 to 60 mph.

Is the Tesla P100D really the "quickest production car ever"? We investigate the claim: https://t.co/A0vbfTIHZ9 pic.twitter.com/zEsVgZ58Jn

— Jalopnik (@Jalopnik) August 24, 2016