Hacker Unearths Tesla's Unannounced P100D 100kWh Battery Option For Model S And Model X
Given that Tesla discontinued the 85kWh 85D/P85D and currently fields the 90kWh 90D/P90D, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the P100D is referencing a future performance version of the Model S with a 100kWh battery pack. The current 90kWh battery pack gives the Model S 90D a maximum range of 270 miles. A 100kWh option could boost the range if a hypothetical 100D closer to 300 miles or even surpass that figure. The more power hungry P90D has an EPA rated driving range of 253 miles, so a P100D would likely come closer to a 280-mile range.
You guys are great. Fun to get home and find people have cracked some SHA256 I posted ;) Nice work. #P100D #Tesla pic.twitter.com/46iqA74ghB
— Jason Hughes (@wk057) March 4, 2016
Speaking with Teslarati, Hughes detailed his findings, stating:
There have been configuration options in the firmware as early as about two months ago. With the latest 2.13.77 update [Tesla] included the badges for the P100D, among other things. I’m very confident that it’s a real thing based on what I’ve seen of other things in previous versions of the firmware. For example, the ’90’ was in the firmware for some time prior to release looking at historic versions of the firmware acquired from other salvage [center displays].
Considering that Hughes use Twitter as his means to broadcast Tesla’s plans — a medium that Tesla CEO Elon Musk also often uses — it wasn’t long before Tesla got wind of the P100D info being broadcast to the Internet ahead of schedule. Tesla even took drastic measures by attempting to remote access Hughes’ Model S in order to stop a pending firmware update (perhaps in an attempt to stop him from leaking more information before the company could work to batten down the hatches).
Hughes again took to Twitter, this time to get some answers on why he was being singled out (although we all know the answer to that question):
So, #Tesla is trying to retaliate by remotely commanding my car to downgrade to 2.12.45. I cut them off. @elonmusk @TeslaMotors A word?
— Jason Hughes (@wk057) March 5, 2016
Surprisingly, Musk himself replied:
@wk057 @TeslaMotors Wasn't done at my request. Good hacking is a gift.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2016
With that being said, Hughes says that he was able to learn even more about future feature updates by perusing the latest firmware. He isn’t revealing those features just yet, and we’re sure that Tesla is likely hoping that he “stands down” on future leaks.
