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Tesla's new 'Ludicrous Speed Upgrade' for the Model S costs $10,000

Tesla's new 'Ludicrous Speed Upgrade' for the Model S costs $10,000

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced the most Tesla thing ever: a "Ludicrous Speed" upgrade for the top-of-the-line P85D Model S electric sedan that improves 0-60 time by 10 percent — it's down to 2.8 seconds, with a quarter-mile sprint coming in just 10.9 seconds. Tesla also promises a run to 155 miles per hour some 20 percent faster than on a standard P85D. In follow-up questions, Musk said that the upcoming Model X would also have Ludicrous Speed as an option, but due to the vehicle's weight — it's 10 percent heavier than the S — it'll likely be a bit less quick.

Ludicrous Speed doesn't come cheap, though: it's a $10,000 option for the car, so you really need to want to be pressed into the back of your seat. Musk describes the acceleration as "faster than falling," which is true — with the accelerator mashed to the floor, you're getting 1.1 G of force. The package also requires the 90kWh battery upgrade, which adds on another $3,000.

The hold music before today's press conference call was a single Ludacris song on loop, which now makes a lot of sense. There weren't any direct references to Spaceballs, but Musk is known for his sense of humor: the Model S's radio volume goes to 11, for instance.