Mean, green Tesla Model S P85D gets up to speed

This year, we're celebrating Earth Day in grand style, behind the wheel of our new all-wheel drive Tesla Model S P85D. Both green and mean, the P85D is the high-end version of the regular 85-kilowatt version of the Model S we tested in 2013. Not only does the P85D bring a stunning 691 horsepower (performance signaled by the P) and all-wheel-drive (D for dual-motor), it'll also be able to drive itself to a limited degree. Needless to say, we're enjoying logging the initial break-in miles before we can formally test this new addition to our fleet.

Our P85D started at $105,000, with options pushing the final price to $127,820. That's a fair bit more than the $89,650 we paid for our rear-drive 2013 Model S 85, our current top-rated car. (Read our complete Tesla Model S road test.)

All-wheel drive has become a must-have in the ultra-luxury arena. BMW and Mercedes-Benz jumped on that bandwagon about a decade ago, eroding Audi's edge. Now even holdouts like Jaguar and Maserati even offer it. So an all-wheel-drive Tesla was inevitable.

Being an electric car to begin with, it made sense for Tesla to simply add an electric motor to power the front wheels. That eliminated the need for an additional driveshaft and a set of gears—the usual penalty when a carmaker adds all-wheel drive to a rear-drive car. As compact as this front traction motor is, it still robs some space from the front trunk (aka frunk) space.

In the P85D the rear motor's output was upped from 362 hp to 470 hp. While that alone would add prodigious thrust, the front motor adds 221 hp more, bringing the total output to an eye-popping 691 hp.

The EPA calculates the driving range on a full charge at 253 miles, as opposed to 265 miles for the regular P85. We averaged about 225 miles from a full charge with our regular 85. We'll see what kind of range the P85D provides over time.

Tesla says that the P85D will rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. That's extremely quick but our old Model S 85 was hardly a straggler; we clocked 0-60 mph at 5.6 seconds with it. Likewise, we'll be checking Tesla's P85D claim in the near future, no doubt over and over again.

To unleash maximum power, the P85D comes with a driving-mode adjustment that ranges from "Sport" to "Insane." Select the crazy end of the scale, mash the throttle from a standing stop, and you'd swear you can feel the blood draining from your head as you launch. Part-throttle acceleration is equally impressive, with instant forward thrust. This car should come with a surgeon general "mature adults only" warning.

The P85D's 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport performance tires are a little noisier than our Model S's tires. The ride feels a little stiffer, too, but it's still firm, steady, and supple. Handling is taut and agile. Overall, the driving experience is not dramatically different from a conventional Model S, which is a good thing.

Initially, the Model S lacked such advanced safety features as lane-departure warning, active cruise control, blind-spot detection, and automatic emergency braking. With the optional $4,250 Tech Package and Autopilot, the Model S can now have all those features.

Tesla announced that an upcoming software update will endow the car with some self-driving capabilities, such as parking on its own and leaving its parking space to come pick you up. But this impress-the-friends trick is supposed to be done on private property only.

The P85D is fairly luxe inside, but it doesn't ooze the exquisite level of décor as a Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Panamera. The standard seats are a bit on the short and flat side. Optional Recaro-like, more-supportive seats are a $2,500 option.

Clearly, the P85D travels in elite circles. But even with the regular all-wheel-drive 85D ($75,500), this is the sexiest, coolest green car out there.

Check back with us on the progress of testing the P85D.

—Gabe Shenhar