Tesla Shares Tumble after Pricey New Model S Is Revealed

Oct 11, 2014 11:46 AM EDT | Jordan Ecarma

Tesla apparently didn't impress investors with the new all-wheel-drive Model S revealed Thursday night as company stock fell the next day to its lowest since August.

Friday morning, Tesla shares fell 7.8 percent to $236.91, the electric carmaker's lowest closing price since Aug. 1, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The just-launched all-wheel-drive Model S, which CEO Elon Musk earlier teased in a tweet, has dual motors as well as sensors that will later be used for safety and autopilot systems.

"This car is nuts. It's like having your own personal roller coaster--just use it anytime," said Musk, as quoted by The Mercury News.

With a zero to 60 acceleration time of just 3.2 seconds, the Tesla Model S P85D is the fastest four-door car in the world, according to GreenCarReports.

The Model S comes in three variations: the 85D version equipped with an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack and offering 295 miles of range (at 65 mph); the P85D, which has a 275-mile range; and the 60D with 225 miles. 

Also at Thursday's event, Musk touted an upcoming autopilot feature that will allow a Model S to change lanes automatically.

While the new features are impressive, analysts are concerned that they only hike an already expensive Model S price tag, something that isn't likely to boost sales.

"The advanced sensors and additional drivetrain components undoubtedly add cost and complexity to the Model S, but they also widen its appeal to luxury shoppers seeking cold-weather confidence and the latest driver assistance technology," Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer told The Mercury News on Thursday evening.

A base Model S starts at around $75,000 with the new all-wheel-drive version adding at least $4,000. The priciest Model S now runs at upwards of $120,000. 

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