Tesla's first SUV won't be cheap

Tesla has revealed US pricing for its first SUV in the lead up to the launch of the electric car-maker's all-new Model X later this month, and it's more expensive than expected.

That's because unlike the ground-breaking Model S sedan is available in rear-wheel drive, Model X crossover will be launched exclusively as an all-wheel drive.

Full specifications and variants for the Model X line-up are yet to be revealed, but a base North American price of $US132,000 ($A187,000) – revealed in a website configurator exclusively to US customers who ordered early – applies to the launch-special Signature Edition.

This has led some Australian media outlets to suggest, based on current US-Australian currency exchange rates and the fact the 515kW P85D is the Model X Signature Edition's closest Model S equivalent here, that the Model X will cost more than $200,000 in Australia.

Tesla Australia marketing and communications manager Heath Walker says that won't be the case, but that until the full list of Model X variants is released local pricing remains unknown.

In Australia, the entry-level Model S 70 RWD currently opens at $106,500 plus on-road costs, or $121,342 drive-away in NSW. The all-wheel-drive 70D version increases to $131,167 drive-away in the same state.

Prices go up from there, with top-shelf P85D AWD priced at $190,817 drive-away before options like a carbon-fibre rear spoiler ($1450), Smart Air Suspension ($3600) and the 'Ludicrous Speed Upgrade', which lowers the claimed 0-100km/h time to just three seconds for an extra $14,300.

Tesla Australia has confirmed first local Model X deliveries will commence in the third quarter of next year and is currently taking reservations with a fully refundable $6000 desposit.

The Model X is powered by two electric motors – 193kW up front and 375kW at the rear – with a combined power output of 568kW.

Tesla claims the futuristic Falcon Wing-doored SUV can hit 100km/h in just 3.8sec on its way to a top speed of 250km/h. Claimed range is 386km.

A 'Ludicrous' mode upgrade lowers that figure to a benchmark-setting 3.2sec, while maintaining a towing capacity of about 2200kg.

Standard equipment for the Signature Edition in the US includes semi-autonomous driving technology, blind-spot monitoring, door sensors for opening in low garages, air suspension with GPS memory, an upgraded sound system, and heated and ventilated seats.

Meantime, earlier this week Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed his company's next model – the mid-size Model 3 sedan – will be revealed next March and will open the Tesla range at $US35,000 (about $A50,000) when it enters production in "about two years".

In other Tesla news, Tesla Australia has announced the winner of its first referral program, in which owners would be rewarded if their family or friends purchased a Tesla from their referral link.

The first person in each region (NA, EU and APAC) to refer 10 new Tesla buyers would receive a free Founder Series Model X, in addition to $A1500 per vehicle sold.

The winner of the Model X Founder Series for the APAC region is Australian owner Anne Bechara, who was today presented with a gift from her local Tesla store in Sydney’s North Shore.

Tesla says Anne’s two sons and family friend Afram Hanna were big fans of the car-maker and introduced their mother to the Model S. In addition to convincing their mum to cancel an existing order on another make of car, they too purchased a Model S each.

"This started the numbers ticking, and instead of one new vehicle, Anne will have an entire new garage full of Tesla vehicles," said Tesla.