Tesla Reveals Model X Updates, Discusses Profits

Tesla Motors used the 2013 Detroit Auto Show to reveal the updated version of the Model X all-electric crossover. Updates found on this near production-ready version can be seen in the restyled wheels and the use of contrasting white and black leathers for the vehicle's three rows of seats. Tesla calls the changes a "design exploration."

Tesla states that the Model X will be available with battery sizes also available in the Model S sedan, lithium-ion battery packs with 60- and 85-kilowatt-hours of energy storage. Range will be only slightly less than the Model S, which is EPA-rated at 208 or 265 miles, for the respective battery sizes.

Tesla says that four-wheel drive will be optional on the Model X and claims that 0-to-60 miles per hour performance is below five seconds.

Pricing is only an educated guess at this point in time, but a ballpark figure of $70,000 for the 60-kWh version of the Model X is a common estimate.

Aside from debuting the updated Model X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took some time to discuss the automaker's future. According to Musk, the Model X will launch in the second half of 2014, and will be followed by the next new Tesla model, a more affordable smaller car to compete with a BMW 3-Series, by 2016.

Musk told reporters, "Now, the tough thing for Tesla is to actually make a profit. I'm hoping we'll have a profitable quarter this year. Shame on us if we can't achieve that."

Musk admitted that profit won't likely come until the end of 2013. That jives with several analysts who predict that Tesla will show a profit of 6 cents per share in late 2013.