Tesla Inc (TSLA)

[mauser96]

No more 2WD model S?
go to teslamotors.com and try to order a model S, no 2WD model is shown.

Perhaps they have found the demand for AWD is a lot higher, and producing only AWD on an assembly line shared by X (AWD only) and AWD model S simplifies manufacturing. It is also possible than since EV AWD requires no expensive linkages, that 2 smaller motors cost little more than one big motor.

The 2WD Tesla S can't really handle much more power, I can feel traction control coming on and off briefly even in 40 mph in passing maneuvers.

Power in an EV is limited not by engine size (expense) weight or gas milage, but by tire traction. So why not make all of them as fast as a Formula 1? I also note the top speed of the AWD is higher than that of the 2WD. While that is of no interest to me it might matter in Germany. The dual motor concept allows different gearing in each, the cheaper lighter equivalent of an automatic transmission. The motors used in Tesla do have full torque at near zero rpm but start running out of power above 7000 rpm or so.