Tesla Model X

Entering the Model X, one can see the philosophy of minimum luxury implemented at the top level designed by Tesla. The cabin is instantly impressive, with its size, literally seven medium-sized adults can fit in comfortably, which is uncommon in luxury SUVs of any propulsion.

The dashboard is dominated by the 17-inch touchscreen that allows the control of all vehicle functions like smartphone-like responsiveness (virtually). Although this minimalistic design demands some acclimatization to drivers used to using the traditional physical controls, the system is intuitive to use and becomes second nature within days. The brightness of the screen is automatically adjusted to the changing light conditions: from bright desert sun on one side to darkly lit underground parking buildings on the other.

The quality of materials used in the cabin is an indication of Tesla sustainable luxury. The synthetic leather upholstery is luxurious and yet practical to the climate of the area, not allowing the heat to accumulate and keeping the upholstery comfortable even after several hours of being under the sun. The air-conditioned and air-ventilated seats are effective. I was pleased with the ventilation especially in the hot summer months when the outside temperature often reaches above 40-degree celcius.

The interior effect of the panoramic windshield cannot be overestimated. It gives an unbelievably open, airy sensation that makes long drives, a sightseeing adventure. Travelling through the desert highways to Al Ain or driving along the coastal roads of the Arabian Gulf, the vast glass space offers an almost cinematic perspective of the landscape around.

There is intelligent distribution of storage solutions in the cabin. The center console also contains two wireless charging pads, several USB-C ports that provide up to 36 watts of power, and other storage spaces of daily items. Large water bottles can be easily fitted in door pockets, and rear passengers are provided with unique storage space and independent charging possibilities.

The 5-seat design is truly convenient to the UAE family life. Captain seats in the second row are individually adjustable and slide to allow easy access to the third row. Although the third row is a little tight to fit taller adults, it is comfortable with children or occasional adult travelers - ideal when running to the airport or on a long family trip.

The Model X is full of safety features. The system has eight cameras and a network of sensors that gives it the full 360-degree vision that is invaluable in offering safe navigation in an urban setting.

The Tesla Autopilot experience on the UAE highways was stable and comfortable, and the vehicle kept the lane position, adaptive cruise, and automated lane change when it could. Nevertheless, it also depends on the attention of the drivers, particularly in the areas surrounding the construction zones and the crossroads.

On numerous occasions, I received forward collision warnings and auto emergency braking on my commutes, which usually served to avert possible accidents in traffic jams. The blind-spot monitoring system assisted in alerting vehicles that were traveling at a very fast speed and this gave more confidence when changing lanes.

The floor-mounted battery pack provided the Model X with a very low center of gravity, which made the car very stable and helped to eliminate the fear of the rollover in this tall SUV.

Other features of the Model X to prevent collisions include the 8 airbags which include front, side, curtain, knee, ISOFIX child seat anchors, reinforced body structure, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, engine immobilizer, alarm system, and ultrasonic sensors in the falcon doors.

The design philosophy behind Tesla in the Model X focuses on aero-optimization without compromising on the visual spectacle. The lack of conventional car features, such as no grille, no exhaust, little exterior decoration, makes the car look clean and minimalistic. The Model X will also age beautifully in contrast to more conventional luxury SUVs.

The panoramic windshield is worth special mention and it stretches overhead to give almost an aircraft-like visibility experience. In my long highway test, this wide glass field gave me excellent forward and upward visibility especially when driving in the UAE due to the dramatic sunrise and sunset driving conditions. 

The UV shield incorporated in the glass is able to control the hot Middle Eastern sun without sacrificing the airy, open feel of the cabin.

The use of LED technology in all places improves functionality and aesthetics. The headlights are outstanding in terms of light during night driving. The full-width LED taillights give the car a unique signature that makes it easily identifiable even from great distances.

The wheel choices are practical with 20-inch wheels to more dramatic 22-inch wheels. I have tried both configurations during my testing, and I have found the 20-inch wheels to be the most comfortable to drive on a daily basis, while the bigger wheels stand out but at the cost of reduced ride quality.

The Falcon-Wing Doors: Engineering Marvel with Real-World Benefits

There is no discussion complete without talking about its most peculiar attribute, which is those fantastic falcon-wing doors that do not open outward but opens upward. These doors were much more useful than the skepticism at first thought, especially in the crowded urban areas of the UAE, over my long period of testing.

The level of engineering is truly amazing. Several sensors constantly scan overhead clearances and nearby obstructions, and automatically change the opening arc to fit available space. In real UAE situations; small parking areas at City Centre malls, small residential garage areas, busy valet areas, these doors always managed to open where standard doors would not.

The key, which is in the form of a miniature Model X, is used to open and close the doors remotely and never cease to create discussion and awe among spectators. Each door opens separately by pressing the relevant buttons, which makes the experience of entering the vehicle almost ceremonial and suitably high-end due to the luxury positioning of the vehicle.

But these doors are not without their quirks. During my testing, there were some hesitations when sensors detected phantom obstacles like palm fronds blowing in Gulf winds, or strong sunlight forming misleading shadows, or even dust particles in the sandstorms. 

Whilst such safety features are commendable, they can sometimes overridden manually via the touchscreen, which may not be handy in instances when soneone is in a hurry.

The doors performed reliably in harsh conditions, but were occasionally slow in hot climates when the outside temperature exceeded 45 degree celcius. On the other hand, operations were easy and responsive in cooler climates.

Tesla Model X has two strikingly different versions that provide different driving experiences depending on the needs.

The Long Range AWD has a dual-electric motor with 670 horsepower that provides a smooth and composed acceleration. It accelerates to 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, a very impressive performance in a seven-seat family SUV. The power is smooth and daily necessities such as highway merge become easy and comfortable to the passengers. This variant balances strong performance with practicality, ideal for typical family duties across the UAE.

At the other extreme, the Plaid version is a monster. Its tri-motor configuration with 1,020 horsepower propulsion propels it to 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, which is supercar territory. The activation of Launch Mode releases incredible acceleration, turning this large family wagon into a machine of adrenaline. The Plaid demonstrates that electric SUVs can be exciting in a way that is unexpected.

Both trims have adaptive air suspension which automatically lowers the vehicle at high speed to enhance aerodynamics and efficiency, which is vital in the UAE highways and raises when faced with bumps or rough roads that are common in developing regions.

Range and Efficiency in Real Conditions

EV range concerns are widespread, but in the case of the Model X, they are mostly mitigated by the fact that the Long Range has up to 529 km and the Plaid has up to 505 km under idealized conditions.

My personal UAE tests, which included urban stop-and-go traffic and highway cruising with frequent use of air conditioning, reported a steady range of 450 to 500 km. These figures are enough to do daily commuting or inter-emirate travel without having to charge every now and then.

Tesla has a large regenerative braking system, which captures the energy when decelerating and enables one-pedal driving. This comes in particularly handy during the busy city traffic in UAE where stop and go is the order of the day.

The climate control system was also impressive; the heat pump provides effective cooling and heating throughout the three zones of the cabin to keep passengers comfortable in the blazing summer heat of Dubai or the cooler desert nights.

Charging: Made to the Lifestyle of UAE

The Tesla Supercharger network in the UAE is well-developed and has hubs in airports, highways, and malls, which makes the long-distance drives worry-free. It could charge as much as 250 kW in locations such as Dubai Mall or Yas Island in Abu Dhabi to recharge the battery up to 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes, which was just enough time to go shopping or take a lunch break.

Home charging is convenient and can be easily incorporated into a hectic schedule; Tesla Wall Connector is capable of charging a complete charge overnight and leaving the car ready to use each day.

Electricity is also competitive in the UAE, at around AED 1.26 per kilowatt hour, which is equivalent to running costs that are much lower than other luxury petrol SUVs.

Tesla is a company that cannot be compared with the traditional luxury car manufacturer as far as technological features of the Model X are concerned. The center touchscreen is highly receptive, enabling adjustment of the climate controls and navigation, in addition to high-quality 22-speaker sound system that gives concert-level sound through the entire seven-seat cabin.

My driving experience was important in the form of real-time traffic data and route optimization that is built into the navigation system. The system also automatically adds Supercharger locations to the journey planning, which routes to charging stations when required and preconditions the battery to the highest possible charging speeds. This smart routing did away with range anxiety on longer journeys between Emirates.

The over-the-air update feature of Tesla implies that the Model X literally gets better when it is parked. Throughout my testing time, I was provided with three software updates that increased the functionality of some of the vehicle's features - better autopilot behavior, new entertainment features, and improved climate control algorithms. This philosophy of continuous improvement means that your investment will be state-of-the-art all the way through ownership.

The high-quality sound system is worth special commendation. It has 22 strategically located speakers and several subwoofers, which provides an immersive audio experience, comparable to dedicated home theater systems. The system automatically compensates the number of passengers and the position of the windows, which maximizes sound quality in any occupancy situation.

Yet, the fact that Tesla did not include the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also rather confusing, especially at such a cost. Although the native infotainment system is all-inclusive and constantly being refined, most users would still want to stay in the comfort of their smartphone platforms.

Other features include Keyless entry, power liftgate, Tesla app integration, wireless charging and have two drive modes: Standard, Sport, and Track (Plaid) for tailored driving dynamics

The Model X, which starts at approximately AED 350,230 in the Long Range and AED 406,470 in the Plaid, can be comfortably placed in the luxury SUV segment of the UAE market. Compared to the high-performance market such as the BMW X5 M or the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Tesla can compete on its own, not only in performance and technology but also in overall cost of ownership.

Eight-year warranty on battery and drive components is a guarantee that Tesla will provide its customers with peace of mind that is hard to find with conventional manufacturers. Together with reduced fuel and maintenance expenses, the Model X is a cost-effective option to many UAE owners in the long run.

The Tesla Model X is a redefinition of what an SUV can be- a combination of exciting performance, state-of-the-art technology, and sensible functionality that fits the UAE. Some might be more inclined to traditional interiors or a more rough appearance, but there are few cars that have such a holistic approach to utility, speed, energy efficiency and futuristic style.

To the family and the professionals who want a versatile, environmentally friendly, and exciting car, the Model X is a standard to be measured by- it provides a gateway to the new era of electric transport that is unparalleled.

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