Tesla's top range a 'game changer'

The Tesla logo is pictured on Feb 5, 2014 in its first Chinese mainland show room in Beijing. [Hao Yan / chinadaily.com.cn]

Tesla Motors Inc crowned itself the maker of the world's fastest production car on Tuesday, saying a new version of its Model S all-electric sedan can accelerate from 0-97 kilometers per hour in just 2-1/2 seconds.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said the company will offer a larger upgraded battery pack for performance versions of its Model S and X vehicles that will extend range, while also allowing for super-fast acceleration.

The new 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack means the high-end version of the Model S sedan, called the P100D, will be the world's quickest accelerating car in production, the automaker said.

The new battery pack is also available for the performance version of the Model X sport utility vehicle.

The Model X is already the quickest SUV ever, Tesla said. But with the 100 kWh battery pack, it said the Model X P100D - as the new performance model is known - will now accelerate from 0 to 97 kph in 2.9 seconds.

The new battery also extends the driving range of the vehicle.

Musk said that means a driver could now travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in temperate weather without recharging.

"These are very profound milestones and I think will help convince people around the world that electric is the future," said Musk in a conference call with journalists.

Reuters