Tesla Model S Plaid is hypercar-quick
Sub-$250K electric sedan steals ‘world’s quickest’ title from Lucid… for nowWhen the new Tesla Model S Plaid rolls off the production line in late 2021, it is set to become the world’s quickest series-production electric sedan.
Propelled by a triple-motor set-up that can generate a whopping 820kW (1100hp) and has an 836km-plus (520-mile) range, the new Model S Plaid was confirmed for production at the US car-maker’s Battery Day event, alongside plans to unleash an $A35,000 EV and improved battery tech.
Named after a scene in the 1987 movie Space Balls where a spaceship accelerates past Ludicrous mode and goes ‘Plaid’, the beefed-up Tesla Model S comes with stunning performance claims including an incredible 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.0 seconds.
Together with a quarter-mile sprint in less than nine seconds, the hardcore electric sports sedan will set new acceleration records for a series-production electric sedan, according to Tesla, and puts many exotic and even hypercars to shame.
The Plaid EV will also wrest the title of fastest production sedan back from the new Lucid Air, which has been developed by ex-Tesla staff and could become a thorn in the side of the Californian car-maker’s plan to dominate the EV space.
The only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid
— Tesla (@Tesla) September 23, 2020
Top speed for the Tesla Model S Plaid is 322km/h, or 200mph.
The Lucid Air, meanwhile, manages 0-100km/h in 2.6sec and the quarter mile in 9.9sec.
However, a three-motor Lucid Air GT is planned for 2021 which could overtake the Tesla Model S Plaid.
Pricing for the new Model S Plaid is pegged at $US139,990 (almost $A200,000), which rises to around $A230,000 before on-road costs and Australia’s luxury car tax is factored in. Several options are offered already including full self-driving capability for $10,100.
Other details, such as the density of the battery pack are yet to be revealed.
Tesla has been spotted testing the Model S Plaid at the Nurburgring in Germany and is understood to be targeting the fastest-ever lap time for a series-production electric car.
With an increasing number of high-performance EVs entering this space, including the Porsche Taycan, expect to see some truly jaw-dropping performances in future.
(Where the Plaid name came from: Space Balls Ludicrous mode)
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
