Tesla Model S Plaid+ axed

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has killed off the 820kW triple-motor Tesla Model S Plaid+ super-sedan before it even went on sale.

“Plaid+ is canceled. No need, as Plaid is just so good,” Musk revealed this morning via Twitter.

Deliveries of the new Tesla Model S Plaid will begin in the US from June 10, 2021, but Tesla’s local website states that Australian deliveries won’t take place until the end of 2022.

As reported, all Australian-bound variants of both the Model S and Model X have been delayed until next year.

“Model S goes to Plaid speed this week,” stated Musk on Twitter.

“0 to 60mph in under 2 secs. Quickest production car ever made of any kind. Has to be felt to be believed.”

The muscular 760kW Tesla Model S Plaid – named after a reference to sci-fi comedy film Spaceballs – uses three electric motors, torque vectoring and a special launch control system to pummel its occupants with g-forces under full throttle.

While the Tesla Model S Plaid+ was touted as the world’s quickest production car when it was confirmed in January, capable of accelerating from 0-60mph (96km/h) in less than 1.99 seconds, the ‘regular’ Model S Plaid should still nab the title of world’s fastest production car.

Indeed, Tesla claims the Model S Plaid can rip from 0-96km/h in under 2.0sec, with 0-100km/h consumed in 2.1sec.

The Plaid is also claimed to be able to complete the quarter-mile (402m) run in 9.23sec, which isn’t as rapid as the Plaid+ that was said to reach the marker in less than 9.0sec.

The Plaid EV’s acceleration outpaces current drag strip king, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, which is powered by a 626kW supercharged petrol V8 that helps it achieve a 2.1sec 0-96km/h sprint.

Top speed for the Model S Plaid is listed at 322km/h, while a driving range of up to 628km is also provided.

The Plaid+ model was expected to deliver a boosted range of around 850km thanks to an upgraded battery pack, but this also seems to have been shelved for now.