Launched for the 2012 model year, the Tesla Model S revolutionized the electric car->ke1030 industry with a package that blends modern looks, high performance and a battery pack good enough to run at least 208 miles on a single charge. Although the sedan->ke142 remained largely unchanged since its introduction, Tesla's->ke1842 expanding Supercharger network helped increase the Model S' popularity, which managed to outsell many of its gasoline-powered competitors. As we move onto the 2015 model year, the EV is getting its first major update as Tesla is rolling out a much-anticipated all-wheel-drive version that is dubbed the Tesla Model S P85D

Although based on the range-topping P85 Performance model, the all-wheel-drive sedan is more than just a P85 that moves with all four wheels connected to its drivetrain. The "D" in its name stands for the dual-motor configuration hiding under its body, which comes not just with all-wheel-drive, but with more power as well. With the P85D, the Model S just gained a hefty power update, a bunch of impressive performance numbers and even an improved range. Excited? You should be, the AWD Model S is not just the quickest electric car, but also the fastest production sedan.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Tesla Model S P85D.

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Exterior

As expected, the Tesla D comes with no exterior changes whatsoever. Aside from the badges that signal the electric motors are spinning all four wheels, there are no other details setting the all-wheel-drive sedan apart from the regular, RWD model.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior also remained unchanged, so don't get your hopes up about finding new interior niceties and trim pieces to justify a new model beyond the all-wheel-drive system. However, there is plenty of news in the technology department thanks to a sophisticated semi-autonomous drive system.

The new technology enables the car to "see" road signs with optical cameras, while a 360-degree sonar helps it detect cars that drive nearby. Other safety and convenience features include the ability to automatically change lanes at the flick of turn-signal switch, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automated braking.

A future update to this technology will also allow the Model S to park and pull itself into a garage and even navigate to where you are waiting for it to pick you up. You could even program the sedan to meet you at a certain time. Sadly due to several regulation hurdles, these features will not work on public roads, only on private property.

Sadly none of these systems can be retrofitted on older Tesla Model S vehicles.

Interior Dimensions

Drivetrain

Unlike its rear-wheel-drive sibling, the all-wheel-drive P85 is motivated by two electric motors. The unit powering the rear wheels generates 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, while the power unit mated to the front wheels sends 221 ponies and 244 pound-feet of torque to the pavement. This means the P85D boasts no less than 691 horses and 687 pound-feet of twist, which translates into mind-boggling performance numbers.

Specifically, the sedan can now sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds, making it faster than any other production sedan and a host of sports cars. Compared to the RWD Model S, the D is a full second quicker. The quarter-mile is covered in only 11.6 seconds, while top speed sits at 155 mph. The AWD system also comes with 10 more miles of range, meaning the P85D can run for up to 275 miles on a single charge.

The performance model is not the only one getting all-wheel-drive. Tesla is introducing the feat across the entire lineup, so customers can get the D upgrade on both the 60 and 85 kWh models.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Prices

Pricing for the P85D begins from $120,170, with deliveries set to commence in February 2015. If that sounds a bit too expensive for your bank account, you can always go for the 60 kWh or 85 kWh models, which retail from $75,070 and $85,070, respectively.

Options

Competitors

BMW i8

The Tesla Model S is rather unique in today's market. Since no current EV can match the P85D, the closest competitor to the Tesla is a hybrid from Germany: the BMW i8. The BMW i8 doesn’t have as many doors as the Model S, but when it comes to fast and frugal machines from the future, the i8 is as good as it gets. Plus, both the i8 and Model S P85D are stunning to look at and feature AWD drivetrains.

The i8 is motivated by both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The former is a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder unit that sends 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The electric unit adds 131 ponies and 184 pound-feet for a grand total of 362 horses and 420 pound-feet. Although it's slower than the Model S from 0 to 60 mph at 4.4 seconds, the German machine boasts a top speed of 155 mph.

On the other hand, the i8 is quite expensive when compared to the upcoming P85D, retailing from a whopping $135,925.

Conclusion

Elon Musk's "D" is no longer just a juvenile joke. The D-badged Model S is as serious as it gets, and although the letter stands for a dual-motor, AWD configuration, it could very well stand for Daunting. Electric vehicle manufacturers have every reason to feel daunted by Tesla's new all-wheel-drive sedan, as it improves nearly every aspect of the already spectacular Model S.

It's more powerful, blistering quick from 0 to 60 mph - faster than the Corvette C6 ZR1 and the Ferrari 599 GTO - and boasts ten extra miles of range. Additionally, it comes with Tesla's latest state-of-the-art technology and likely previews one of the first autonomous vehicles to hit the market by the end of the decade.

There's only downside to the AWD Model S, and especially the P85D; it fetches a pile of hard-earned cash and adds a $25,000 premium to its RWD sibling.