Tesla at its Battery Day event today unveiled its Tesla Model S Plaid, available for pre-order now at the cost of $140,000 USD.
At the unveiling, Tesla shared how the Tesla Model S Plaid was able to complete a lap time at famed Laguna Seca raceway on Sunday, in 1:30.3, to which CEO Elon Musk added, “we think probably there’s another three seconds or more to take off that time.”
Musk further stated, “we’re confident the Model S Plaid will achieve the best track time of any production vehicle, ever–two door or otherwise.” Most likely, Tesla was holding back to but went fast enough to beat the Lucid Air, which recently clocked in at 1:36, beating Tesla’s old record time completed in a Model S Plaid (prior to today’s update).
Tesla tonight shared in-car footage from the Tesla Model S Plaid run from two days ago at Laguna Seca, showing the full 1:30 run, showing the electric vehicle’s speed, along with a picture-in-picture view of the driver, g-force data, course map, and it includes audio. Check it out below:
In-car footage from Sunday’s Plaid Model S run at Laguna Seca pic.twitter.com/rwQDBFCWoH
— Tesla (@Tesla) September 23, 2020
Earlier this evening, Tesla also shared “the only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid” as well, linking to the new Tesla Model S Plaid run at Laguna Seca, but a shortened clip:
The only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid
— Tesla (@Tesla) September 23, 2020
The Model S Plaid can do 0-60 mph in 2 seconds, has an estimated range of 520 miles, a top speed of 200 mph, can complete the quarter-mile in under 9 seconds, plus has 1,100 horsepower, thanks to its tri-motor all-wheel drive setup. All while having room for five adults as a passenger sedan.
Model S Plaid does 1:30 lap at Laguna Seca? I was only able to get a 1:28 in this fucking thing!!! pic.twitter.com/1rOEiw1jts
— Tom Mueller (@lrocket) September 22, 2020
While the Tesla Model S Plaid is available to pre-order now, it won’t deliver until “late 2021”, which means it could also spill into early 2022, if we are counting “Elon time”.
