You know the Tesla effect is rippling across the auto industry when a headline proclaims that “Porsche, Mercedes building electric cars to challenge Tesla.” Comments one insider, “Although competitors are years behind, things might get interesting in the future.”
What sets Tesla apart from most innovation startups is the indefatigable enthusiasm Founder Elon Musk provides to both Tesla and his other startup, SpaceX. That spirit insures a never-ending stream of Tesla innovations culminating with the launch of the Model S P85D this year:
- Performance – The all-wheel-drive Model S P85D ($105,670) sedan performed better in Consumer Reports’ tests than any other car ever has, breaking the magazine’s ratings system.
- Insane driving mode – The Model S P85D accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds without the requisite engine roar, making “it frighteningly eerie in its silent velocity.” In fact, in a 0-60 acceleration test between the Tesla Model S P85D, at 691 HP and 4,936 pounds, and a 570-HP Ferrari 458 Italia, weighing just 3,274 pounds, the Tesla was just a sliver slower at 3.2 seconds vs. 3.0 seconds for the Ferrari.
- Self-driving – Not only is the Tesla Model S P85D the best performing sedan bar none, it drove itself almost entirely across the U.S., proving its self-driving car chops.
You can only imagine that Tesla has the entire auto industry quivering in its boots. So much so that General Motors has reportedly created an internal “Team Tesla.” That type of reactionary fear is only caused by companies that are truly disruptive.
Tesla Motors Inc.
Website: https://www.teslamotors.com
Year (of first major innovation): 2006
Innovations: Electric vehicles
Innovation Types: Product, Distribution
