Watching The Tesla Model X Fight Physics Made Our Day

Tesla is proud of their safety standards. While a few recent instances have raised questions on the autopilot system, the in-cabin safety still remains impeccable. So much so, that their Model X SUV is one of the highest safety rated cars on the road today. In fact, the Model X is the first SUV to achieve an NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) 5-star safety rating in every category and subcategory. And, to demonstrate its 'lowest rollover risk factor', Tesla has released a video of an internal rollover test where the SUV just refuses to tip over. Watch it for yourselves.

Model X is the first and only SUV to achieve a NHTSA 5-Star safety rating in every category and subcategory, with the lowest probability of rollover and overall injury of any SUV pic.twitter.com/V0f8ljeIBp

— Tesla (@Tesla) May 20, 2018

Why is this happening?

Where most conventional SUVs have a body-on-frame structure with significant mass laying over the chassis, the Tesla Model X here is a monocoque, which translates to better weight distribution. And because it has been designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the battery pack lies on the floorboard of the SUV. That means there is a lot of mass at the bottom, which brings the centre of gravity down by quite a bit. As a result, when the SUV starts to tip over, the low lying weight pulls it back. And like a bop bag, even when the SUV tips over 90 degrees, the weight of the batteries just gets it back to ground. Mind you, the Model X weighs up to 2459kg.

A small role here is also being played by the sand. As the SUV slides over, it creates a cavity in the platform for the tyres to fall back into. This further helps it get back to the correct orientation.

Now, let's dig a little deeper into the car. Known for its Falcon wing doors, the Model X has seating for seven in three rows. These doors open and close automatically as the driver approaches or exits the Model X. Moreover, in terms of features, it even gets a bio-weapon defence mode that creates positive pressure inside the cabin, keeping the outside air out to protect its occupants! Weren't you happy with your fancy dual-zone climate control?

The Model X is an electric all-wheel drive vehicle, with the front and rear axles being powered by two separate motors. The liquid-cooled powertrain includes either a 75kWh or a 100kWh microprocessor-controlled lithium-ion battery, three-phase four-pole AC induction motor and a drive inverter with variable frequency drive along with a regenerative braking system. All of this lets the Model X hit triple-digit speeds from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds (2.9 seconds on the P100D) before topping out at 250kmph. All this is possible courtesy the Model X' claimed lowest drag coefficient of any SUV.

India already has a Model X which has been imported privately. Abroad, the Model X costs between Rs 48 lakh to Rs 83 lakh. In India, it is expected to be a CBU and will be priced well over a crore. Sadly, there isn't any word from Tesla on the launch date in India, but we do hope it happens soon enough.