Tesla to unveil all-wheel-drive variant of all-electric Model S

Tesla Motors will probably unveil an all-wheel-drive variant of its Model S luxury sedan tomorrow, according to analysts. The move would better position the electric carmaker in cold-weather markets, where many buyers demand all-wheel drive for use on snowy, wet roads.

It will also better align Tesla against top luxury brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. "Would it make sense as a logical move? Completely. Would Tesla gain sales? Certainly," says Ivan Drury, senior analyst at Edmunds. "Tesla has nothing to lose by offering all-wheel drive."

Tesla's chief executive, Elon Musk, tweeted that the firm would "unveil the D and something else". The billionaire included an image of a darkly lit, partially hidden Tesla and the October 9th date. A spokeswoman for the company, Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, declined to comment on the analysts' remarks about an all-wheel- drive Model S.

Barclays indicated in a note that Tesla’s announcement will probably include a “dual motor Model S” to provide all-wheel-drive capability and “driver assistance systems”.

A person familiar with the carmaker’s plan said Tesla will make its first foray towards automated driving, joining its rivals in offering technologies that can keep the car in its lane.

From 2009 through the first six months of 2014, the rate of premium-luxury buyers who opted for all-wheel drive rose to 46 per cent from 33 per cent, according to data compiled by Edmunds.