Tesla says it now makes the fastest "production" car in the world

On Tuesday, Tesla announced its new P100D version of the Model S and Model X. The cars are fast and have huge batteries—and of course, they’re very, very pricey.

The electric vehicle company headed by CEO Elon Musk called the Model S P100D the “quickest production car in the world,” noting that only two cars are faster—the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder, both cars that were limited-run two-seaters. With the “Ludicrous Mode” option (which customers must pay extra for), the Model S P100D will go 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds.

When Ludicrous Mode was announced last summer, it only took a Model S P85D from 0 to 60 mph in a lackadaisical 2.8 seconds.

All told, the Model S P100D with Ludicrous Mode (which debuted as an add-on for $10,000 last year) will cost $134,5000. For all that money, customers also get a 100kWh battery that will take the car 315 miles before it dies.

The Model X P100D gets a similar treatment. With the Ludicrous Mode option, the SUV will cost $135,500 and go 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds (that’s 0 to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds), which Tesla says makes it the fastest SUV currently in production. The new larger battery will also give the electric vehicle a 289 mile range.

The new P100D version cars will also come with free Supercharger network access, something that Model 3 owners will have to pay for.

The new increases in speed only come with the 100 kWh battery pack, Tesla says, so cars with smaller batteries will not be able to upgrade unless they get a new battery as well. The company noted in a press release that customers who already have a Model S or X P90D with Ludicrous Mode can get the battery and software upgraded for $20,000 in order to realize those extra 0.3 seconds acceleration. Tesla owners who have already placed an order for a P90D but haven’t received it yet can upgrade for an extra $10,000.

Tesla said orders can be placed for the P100D versions today, with delivery expected as early as next month.

“While the P100D Ludicrous is obviously an expensive vehicle, we want to emphasize that every sale helps pay for the smaller and much more affordable Tesla Model 3 that is in development,” the company said in a press release. “Without customers willing to buy the expensive Model S and X, we would be unable to fund the smaller, more affordable Model 3 development.”

The news may help to reinvigorate Model S and Model X pre-orders as customers are looking toward Tesla's promised affordable Model 3, due to hit the market in 2018.