2011 Tesla Roadster Sport. Photo by Joe Nuxoll.

2011 Tesla Roadster Sport. Photo by Joe Nuxoll.

We got our first hints that Tesla was planning several new models after the Model S electric sedan following the release of some official slides in the company’s IPO presentation last June. Soon after Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that one of these new models, an electric SUV dubbed the Model X, would be arriving in 2014.

We now have new details on the Model X, namely, that the vehicle is being designed as a sporty crossover about the same size as a compact SUV. Thanks to efficient packaging of its electric drivetrain and batteries, however, the smallish soft-roader is expected to have the interior space of a full-size passenger van.

The latest snippet of information was once again revealed by Elon Musk who spoke recently at the Cleantech Investor Summit in Palm Springs, California.

Musk described the Model X as being destined to be the “coolest SUV” on the market and that it will be followed in about four to five years by a new mainstream electric car priced around $30,000.

As for the Model X, Musk also revealed that a prototype could be unveiled as early as the end of this year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

[Green Car Advisor]