HAWTHORNE, Calif., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the new "D" version of the automaker's Model S, with all wheel drive and autopilot options that allow the electric car to partially drive itself.
On October 1, Musk teased both gearheads and the tech community into a frenzy with a cryptic tweet of a vehicle obscured by darkness and garage door with a "D" printed on it, and the dateline "October 9, 2014" at the bottom.
About time to unveil the D and something else pic.twitter.com/qp23yi59i6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2014Following a week of rumors and anticipation, Musk impressed observers -- but disappointed investors -- by revealing the D is an upgraded AWD version of the Model S, with a dual engine and enhanced safety features.
"You'll be able to choose three settings: normal, sport and insane," Musk described from the L.A.-area headquarters of his other venture, Space X.
In addition to the new motor and AWD, the new Model S will hit 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, a full second faster than its predecessor. The car's autopilot features can recognize speed limit signs, change lanes automatically and even park itself.
Still, lack of a "game-changing" development or fully self-driving driving car caused Tesla's stock to fall nearly 6 percent, as the majority of its value is based off of products the technology company does not yet produce./=
"The AWD Model S is playing catch-up with other luxury makers that already offer AWD on many of their vehicles," Barclay's analyst Brian Johnson wrote to clients in an email obtained by USA Today.
"We don't see the addition of AWD to the Model S as a game-changer."
