What Type Of Motor Is In Tesla Model X?

Before the release of Model 3, and in a reply to Ryan McCaffreys comments in a Twitter thread about Ride the Lightning,

[{"selector":"#anim-443f2c78-7a6b-4b4a-ab26-0fd39444ce40 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-148d50a4-f856-4310-9ffe-981c3196c191","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdb3fffd-b334-40e4-b0af-80a268f8eddf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5de7eabb-a7c1-49aa-b93a-4633e955c0e3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d64efd0-8baf-4082-a785-077f2b32f4c5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(124.10071%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

inventor Nikola Teslas responded by saying the Model 3s new motor is a switch-reluctance, partially permanent magnet, engine.

[{"selector":"#anim-92bfad78-94f7-4dc0-905e-f4c84afc2cdd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-155d2d71-3705-424e-b31f-3da8fa5a96e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13cab2ee-00ad-40e0-a865-63bfe669bdc1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d7e98fb-2632-4e1d-aaff-928840c10532","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-770b4f7a-6723-41a0-b3a3-e40f0f575db2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Model 3 debuted an alternate motor technology, which Tesla called the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Reluctance Motor.

[{"selector":"#anim-083176db-fe6e-4f52-8cc6-5a79cedaffec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a6bb6ce-f4ad-4f07-8cad-bb64464fe87b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-afc4caf0-78e0-4a1a-be17-13474b7f57e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5511040a-9447-4644-ace2-4fe62c878e18","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36576d95-ec10-45a9-9143-208c3a444246","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Model 3s two-motor version has an induction motor up front,

[{"selector":"#anim-e7634a2e-f8d0-4610-8ea7-8c5cd5765eca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51f3a5a4-a945-41bd-a4d2-3176aa1ea410","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf47283c-805c-471c-af46-5c0b1ae182dc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f940285-a32a-4b10-915e-abc0f411dc73","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-380c9447-1cb0-468b-9ff3-5df8b26030d1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

And a permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor at the rear.

[{"selector":"#anim-914affa6-725b-471d-889d-aa11a6e75a39 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad728880-73bd-46b9-adde-aa4ba0e951b0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3983c19f-9019-4a0c-87c1-68dd2be0d03f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.79348%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5b12bfa-1d28-47e6-b32c-370571b0790a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-118492ea-2d56-4b4c-8753-4fc6da656e90","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.02158%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The dual-motor Tesla Model S allows differential torque distribution between the front and rear axles.

[{"selector":"#anim-21705efb-d11c-4e89-97c1-2c9737aac129 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4df8142e-a957-46a1-a328-78731eba1616","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9dc3788a-ef22-4b30-b64a-a10837cd6ed4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5761db2-a60e-46c9-b445-493a33f603ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-122bfe09-ede3-4f7b-a4ab-d5412f0be1c7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Model X long-range models are equipped with two motors - one on the front axle, and one on the back - allowing all-wheel-drive capabilities.

[{"selector":"#anim-578c2f21-5772-4956-8c78-c404a15a83d9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d3d165f-93b4-4db1-8108-a7031a958cc4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f64fbb38-31cd-4181-917a-f1f53de1e7a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-88c13095-cee6-4286-80f0-cec4cab5a8f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f2e78c91-d680-492c-aec0-b75f4ae7433f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

With Model S and Model X, Tesla used induction-AC motors for years,

[{"selector":"#anim-9b7d1355-3960-4e87-bc2d-46d1e448a1a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b862312-f720-40b5-a74e-f81c5d1db5bb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-858f0629-c820-4fa2-b972-e30620988aea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1babafd0-1371-4a6b-a988-dbfbcb3c34cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ef86635-3541-4e3c-af3f-ba7b26ce7fef","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(124.10071%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

But Tesla switched to permanent-magnet motors when it introduced Model 3 way back in 2017.

[{"selector":"#anim-52834582-9cef-45f0-8cac-ca9a1da38389 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62167253-ea79-4c07-a31b-816180812d2f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4e42df3-b904-4bdb-826a-100a7e04fe54","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-405f4ffe-55cc-4e50-887e-aefe72849d58","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0c91c3d-0312-4348-851b-e48c10ed6586","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Confirming earlier rumors, its Model S is getting a revised powertrain using the same synchronous reluctance permanent magnet motors

[{"selector":"#anim-91a5db69-c0fa-46d6-b847-a01c9fc3e7ed [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ddb2438-bfa9-4d87-95c5-86ea613df74e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0da325e-bd1e-41a1-82db-300991e5f235","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04191afd-c218-4a94-9c1c-3da6b6a12a50","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95554a00-a314-42f9-a107-a3aafa2a12ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

And related technologies we saw for the first time with Model 3.

[{"selector":"#anim-1e48afef-d7ca-41e8-8004-d4a25f7edaf9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45c8ce9d-734c-4bd7-9133-9c9e2888f0a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc650a1f-01f6-49bf-8ec3-913c6d6c7f59","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57e8e266-e93c-4e1e-bbd7-872b19737ce4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b678934-7307-452e-9d5c-b54fa15ea2ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Model Xs combination of instant torque from its electric motors and four-wheel-drive propulsion means that...

[{"selector":"#anim-21d1451a-50e6-4107-be7e-ca7d10eb3e35 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd3a5500-b761-4706-9b03-f7e73829b652","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84928940-931d-4290-9c3e-9d62fd578656","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd50c53a-2496-4dd9-8e17-decd6c635f16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7728cc5b-af06-4296-b187-fa931e30f2d9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

it has an amazing amount of speed from a standing start, sending the fastest Plaid variant 0-60mph in only 2.5 seconds.

[{"selector":"#anim-3a37fb4b-8260-4c53-ac06-e0ed3a1df6ec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7ac767b-df3d-45a4-aebf-b2c402169b7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a4c212f-1575-495c-a299-fcc171f9940e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.86813%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59d2dc00-b572-4da0-a7ee-c1229b577bee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ddf78ec8-6aa9-42fb-836c-a2e5f59f7e7d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(123.74101%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]