Shock Jocks: Tesla Model S P85D and Saleen GTX Comparison

“We planned to push these plug-in players as hard as if we were testing Porsches.”

The GTX’s slick cabin comes with a cupholder–an item missing in the first-gen Model S. Yes!

Built last year and later shown at the SEMA automotive aftermarket extravaganza, the Saleen prototype we’re driving (based on a rear-wheel-drive P85) was dubbed Foursixteen at the outset, which expressed its horsepower rating. Then Elon Musk’s intrepid crew went and upped the output of the car with a software upgrade. (D’oh! Stop production on the Foursixteen badges!) Saleen will now build a GTX off any Model S variant you want (see above)—including a high-performance version based on the studly all-wheel-drive P85D. With every bell and whistle added, the P85D version of the GTX goes for an eye-watering $165,000. But Saleen thinks he’ll be able to entice more than a few Tesla owners to pony up for the exclusivity and style of his GTX. “It’s just $30K-$35K more than a loaded P85D,” he says.

“You’re involved. Like a private pilot, you plan ahead—how far are you going, where are the recharging stops, what are your reserves and alternates?”

Cruising up Interstate 5, we escaped the L.A. sprawl and began the lengthy ascent past 4,000 feet into the fabled Grapevine and through the Tejon Pass. Observation No. 1: Wow, it’s nice having so much electric torque on tap for an uphill grind like this. Both Teslas made the climb feel effortless. Observation No. 2: Splurging on all that torque spikes the energy consumption, and the car’s estimated cruising range falls noticeably. Observation No. 3: The “futuristic” whine of the GTX’s straight-cut gears is cool—for about five minutes. Then you just want it to shut up. (Saleen offers quieter gears as an option.)

By the time we reached the Tejon Ranch Supercharger station at the end of the pass in Lebec, we’d traveled about 90 miles, most of it steeply uphill. Starting with “full tanks” of around 250 miles of cruising range, both cars now showed well over 100 miles of range left. Jordan and I plugged our rides into the free “pumps,” grabbed some coffee, and sat in the sunshine to chat with a few other Tesla owners also recharging. And it’s right then you notice: As a Tesla driver, you’re part of a community of pioneers. During recharges, they all have a story to share about their car—how much they like it, how far they’ve driven. (One woman told us that the string of Superchargers clear to Canada help her commute regularly from the state of Washington to San Diego.) This enthusiasm bubbled over at the sight of the GTX. “Looks sensational” was a frequent comment.

An easy 40 minutes or so later, Jordan and I were back on the road in the twin Teslas, batteries full. As we discovered over the next two days, stopping at the Superchargers (they’re easy to find in California) actually makes travel more enjoyable, not less. You pause, have a coffee, maybe throw down a picnic basket of fried chicken, maybe strike up a conversation with a like-minded pioneer. Why skip across the landscape and be left with memories only of freeway signs? Stop. Take a look around. Enjoy.

On Route 198 between King City and Coalinga, the navi tells us a Supercharger lies 50 miles ahead.

On one of the Central Valley’s fantastic, lightly traveled winding roads, I was able to push both cars hard in a little back-to-back driving exercise. Both handle brilliantly, far better than you’d expect of four-door sedans that weigh nearly 5,000 pounds. Sweet steering, lots of grip. And, of course, the all-wheel-drive P85D is just dazzlingly fast. At least it is until the powertrain heats up, at which point the performance drops off noticeably. Interestingly, Saleen claims improved airflow and cooling for his GTX, and while the rear-wheel-drive car isn’t as quick from a standstill as the P85D, it maintained its performance better. (Remember to turn off the powertrain’s setting for creeping at idle in order to get quickest getaways.) In any case, both Teslas prove that our electric-car future hardly means the end of driving thrills.

My heavy right foot took its toll on cruising range, all right, but did I panic, did range anxiety at last gain the upper hand? Not at all. A simple glance at the Tesla’s huge, 17-inch touchscreen shows all the nearby Supercharger stations (and conventional electrical hookups) on the navigation display. “Let’s see, there’s a station about 50 miles from here. The car shows some 80 miles of range left. Easy.”

A car as great to drive as the Tesla P85D deserves better than simple dreary commuter duty on the Santa Monica Freeway.

And that, in a nutshell, is the Tesla Way. You don’t simply drive with the assumption of bumping into a fuel station when you need it. You’re involved. Like a private pilot, you plan ahead—how far are you going, where are the recharging stops, what are your reserves and alternates? Thanks to the abundance of Tesla Superchargers—and the ease of finding them using the software built into the nav—trip planning is effortless and even fun.

With these cars, you’re immersed in the driving experience. Isn’t that the very definition of “enthusiast”?

The future of Tuned Teslas

In 2012 when the Tesla Model S first began to roll off the assembly line in Fremont, California, just 3,100 were sold. In 2013 some 22,450 examples of the Model S hit the street. In 2014 the number climbed to 31,623, and now monthly sales of the car have surpassed those of the Nissan Leaf. That’s a lot of cars, so it’s no wonder aftermarket companies such as Saleen are interested in making Tesla hot rods.

If you want even more juice from an UP-modified Model S, you can order it in Unplugged Performance Electric Blue, which is laid down during the car’s initial assembly at the Tesla factory. Trim pieces in carbon fiber and wood liven up the cabin. The first UP Tesla has already been sold to a customer in Brunei, and the company has opened a dealership in Japan. Tesla’s factory warranty remains intact.

The XchangE’s infotainment system powers four interior displays, including a 32-inch 4K-resolution monitor. A plexiglass moonroof is overhead, while nearly 500 LEDs provide ambient lighting. Rinspeed says passengers will be able to hold a business meeting at freeway speeds while brewing espresso. This is either the best thing ever or your worst nightmare, but don’t expect a fully functioning demo unit to be ready anytime soon, no matter which side of the autonomous fence you’re on. — Rory Jurnecka