Tesla Motors Inc said that customers who reserved its first luxury electric crossover, the Model X Signature series, could now customize their models, with prices ranging from $132,000 and $144,000. That puts the electric car maker one step closer to delivery of the first, special version of the Model X sport utility vehicle, which has been eagerly awaited since it was announced in early 2012.

The premium-priced Signature series will be the first of the new Model X cars, with deliveries to begin this month, a Tesla spokeswoman said. Tesla has been spending heavily ahead of the launch of the Model X, its first battery-powered SUV to follow the Model S sedan to market, even as it prepares to roll out in 2017 a cheaper, mass-market vehicle starting at $35,000, the Model 3.

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