Tesla pushes Model X back to 2014 to focus on Model S

By Nick Jaynes March 11, 2013

Tesla Model X — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Tesla Model S has been a staggering sales success by electric car terms. The electric car company headed by Elon Musk is on track to surpass 2012’s record of selling 20,000 of the sleek EVs in annual sales for 2013.

Riding high on the Model S triumph, Tesla has decided to continue pushing the sports sedan, delaying the eagerly anticipated Model X. Slated to go on sale later this year, the Model X will be pushed to late 2014, according to the LA Times.

Based upon the Model S, the Model X is supposed to have all the benefits of a minivan without the unsavory looks. Complete with gullwing doors, the Model X takes family hauling to all-new levels of excitement and design daring.

We’re disappointed in Tesla’s decision. While we understand that the electric automaker must keep working on a known entity before it can divert to something new, we ultimately see production pauses as a sign of weakness. We needn’t look past Fisker and the delayed Atlantic model for a perfect example.

On a bit of a higher note, however, Tesla has announced it will repay all of its $465 million in loans from the U.S. Department of Energy by 2017, five years ahead of schedule. It’s news like this helps assuage our niggling fears that things might be a bit off for the fledgling automaker based upon the Model X delay.

When we learn of an official launch date of the Model X, we’ll be sure to bring it to you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

BMW iX vs Tesla Model Y: miles apart on price, but closer than you think

A 2023 BMW iX M60.

The Tesla Model Y is often considered the go-to pick for those who want a large electric crossover, and for good reason. It offers a great range, a still relatively modern design, and additional features like a well-designed infotainment system. But it's far from the only option out there -- and in fact, there are some seriously great alternatives, like the BMW iX, for example.

I know what you're thinking -- the BMW iX is way more expensive than the Tesla Model Y. It starts at $87,100, while the Model Y starts at $43,990. This is perhaps not the fairest of comparisons out there, but you might be surprised how well the Model Y does, considering the fact that it's around half the price of the iX. The one you buy will ultimately depend on your priorities, but regardless, it's important to know the similarities -- and the differences.
Design
The first thing you'll notice about these cars is their design, and in that respect, they're pretty different.

Cars

Tesla Model Y vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Which crossover reigns supreme?

Electric crossovers are all the range. As EVs have become increasingly popular, a large portion of carmakers seem to have focused on crossover-sized cars. Sure, they'll often market these as SUVs, but they're actually smaller than what most people think of when they think of an SUV -- and as such, they're better thought of as crossovers instead. Two of the most popular of these crossovers are the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 -- cars that have been out for a few years now.

But considering they're both such highly respected cars, is one of them better than the other? To be sure, neither of the two cars are bad options -- but one of them does have a slight edge. We put the two cars head --to-head to find out which one is actually best.
Design
The first thing you'll notice about these two cars is their design. They're both relatively unique compared to cars from other manufacturers, though perhaps not as much when compared to cars from the same manufacturer.

Cars

Tesla Model 3 Highland: release date, range, design update, and more

A Tesla Model 3 electric car.

The Tesla Model 3 has long been one of the best electric cars out there, especially for drivers who want a high-quality car without paying a ton of cash. The Model 3 boasts a great range, along with awesome tech features and minimalistic design, all of which have helped make it a top-selling electric car.

But to date, it hasn’t evolved much. The car has been around for six years now, with thefirst deliveries of the original Model 3 coming in late 2017. But now it’s getting a face-lift. The updated car, code-named Highland, has been announced, and it offers a range of upgrades over the current-generation Tesla Model 3.