Tesla reveals new photos, new details of Model X SUV

Drivers who reserved Tesla Motors’ next car — the Model X crossover SUV — have started receiving notices from the company allowing them to pick the paint colors and performance options of eagerly awaited electric vehicles.

Tesla plans to start deliveries by the end of this year’s third quarter — in other words, this month.

[...] while the Palo Alto company has blown through previous timetables on the Model X, the “configuration” notices suggest production is finally at hand.

[...] what Tesla calls “falcon wing” doors, which open upward instead of out, include sensors to ensure they don’t bang the garage ceiling.

The first wave of notices went out to drivers who had plunked down $40,000 to reserve the limited-edition Signature Model X, rather than drivers who paid $5,000 for a more standard version.

Tesla drivers being a connected bunch, some of the reservation holders immediately posted online screen shots of Tesla’s vehicle configuration Web page, loaded with information on the car.

A $1,000 optional “subzero weather package” includes heated steering wheel, heated seats in all three rows, and a defroster for the windshield wipers.