This Tesla Model S Plaid Just Ran An Unthinkable Quarter

The Tesla Model S Plaid has always been a fast car, but this particular stripped-down Plaid has taken things to a new level.

By this point, everyone is familiar with the leading EV company Tesla and its impact on the automotive industry. Many credit Tesla for the massive shift to electric in the past decade, producing impressive electric cars for the mass population and paving the way for other automakers to follow. Among Tesla's EV portfolio is its flagship model: the Tesla Model S. The more expensive of Tesla's two sedans, the Model S was an instant hit and Elon Musk released a faster version of the beloved EV with the Model S Plaid. With the announcement of its release, Musk claimed the Plaid would have record-breaking performance numbers. Although the initial release didn't live up to the expectations, a recent Plaid just drove an unimaginable quarter-mile, confirming Tesla's claims.

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When the Tesla Model S Plaid was introduced in 2021, Tesla announced the car could reach 0-60 mph in just 1.99 seconds and race a quarter-mile sprint in just 9.23 seconds going 155 mph. At the time, these were world-record stats that no production EV had ever achieved. Yet as soon as the car was released to the market, there were already other EV manufacturers that beat these times. Aside from this fact, Tesla owners were overall very excited to get their hands on the affordable quick EV. Unfortunately, many realized these numbers Tesla reported proved to be unachievable unless there were nearly-perfect conditions. However, the guys over at Tesla Plaid Racing set a new quarter-mile record finishing in 8.73 seconds at 157 mph. While the driver did completely gut the car to decrease the weight exponentially - a little over 700 pounds - he drove weighing in at 245 pounds. He admitted his tires were in the burnout zone, but nonetheless set an impressive record for the Tesla Plaid S.

The quarter-mile record for production vehicles is now held by the Pininfarina Battista, shortly after beating the record set by the Rimac Nevera. The Croatian-based Rimac first set a quarter-mile record completing it in 8.58 seconds. The all-electric hypercar is packed with 1,914 horsepower and can launch from a standstill to clear 0-60 mph in sub 2 seconds times. The Rimac comes with a price tag of $2.2 million, only attainable by the ultrarich. The current record holder, Pininfarina Battista, beat the Rimac with an 8.55-second quarter-mile run. The Battista beat the record at the NATRAX course in India. Both the Nevera and Battista feature quad motors, while the Tesla Plaid has three motors. This allows the two hypercars to possess instantaneous torque and acceleration, with each motor powering its own individual wheel. The Pininfarina Battista, however, costs a whopping $2.2 million as well, proving all the more why the Tesla Model S Plaid is so attractive. With a starting price of $109,990, the Tesla Plaid is a much more attainable car for the everyday consumer and still contains similar performance numbers to the multi-million dollar electric hypercars.

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When the Tesla Model S was first released to the public, it was the leader in EV production cars. With a range of 348 miles, it had dual motors powering each axis, enabling the car to reach a top speed of 163 mph and reach 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds. The impressive 785 horses packed EV was in a league of its own. As EV technology began to improve, other electric automakers started to catch up to the once unattainable records by Tesla. Elon then released the Tesla Model S Plaid back in 2021. From a performance perspective, it was a major upgrade from the original Model S. It boasts an impressive 1.99 second 0-60 mph acceleration and a top speed of 200 mph. Tesla added a third motor to the Plaid model, allowing for almost a 300 horses increase from the Model S reaching 1,020 horses. Even more impressive, Tesla also increased the driving range to 390 miles off a full charge while improving its performance in every category at the same time.

Tesla recently unveiled the much-anticipated Track Pack upgrade for the Tesla Model S Plaid, finally fulfilling its promised top speed of 200 mph. As mentioned earlier, the Plaid, although claiming to reach 200 mph and a sub-2 second 0-60 mph, never could really achieve these numbers when first released. However, with the upgraded Track Pack, Tesla customers receive additional modifications to enhance the driving experience and reach its full potential. The Track Pack includes a carbon ceramic brake kit with cutting-edge technology, increasing both the strength and ability to handle the heat which in turn prevents normal wear and tear. You also get high-performance brake pads and track-ready brake fluid. Tesla provides new aluminum forged wheels with track-ready tires giving drivers the ultimate track experience, cutting corners with improved control and reaching new top speeds. The Track Pack was recently put to the test at the world-famous Nürburgring course in Germany. The Model S Plaid set a new record for a production EV with a best lap of 7 minutes and 25.231 seconds on the 12.9-mile lap. Previously held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo S with a 7:33:35 time, the Plaid took back the title and beat its own record set back in 2021 by over 10 seconds. It is evident the Track Pack is worth the extra money, effectively improving every performance metric in the Plaid. The track has more than 170 corners and the track pack upgrade proved to be quicker through every corner with better grip and acceleration out of each corner. Tesla Model S owners are now able to purchase the Track Package on the Tesla App. All the add-ons total $27,395, including shipping and installation at a local Tesla shop.

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Even with the new Track Package, other companies like Rimac and Pininfarina have developed EVs that blow by the Tesla Model S Plaid. While the Model S is not a multi-million dollar hypercar, Tesla does have plans to produce a car that will compete with the hypercars, and still be more affordable than any of the electric supercars on the market. The Tesla Roadster, originally announced to be released back in 2021, will be Tesla's quickest car ever produced. Tesla claims it will have a top speed of more than 250 mph and a sub-two second 0-60 mph. What sets it apart from other performance EVs is the 620 miles of range off one charge. This is by far the most impressive feature as other vehicles that have similar performance like the Nevera only offer around 200 miles of range. Tesla is still improving some more aspects in order to match the Nevera's quarter-mile speed. But if the Model S Plaid had proved anything, it showed the electric automakers are more than capable of achieving this feat. With a starting price of $200,000, its official release is still unknown. For now, Tesla consumers will continue to enjoy the new Track Package with their Model S Plaid, faster than any other mass-produced car in the world.

Brayden Wood is a writer and entrepreneur with a strong passion for cars. He loves anything racing, especially F1, and has dedicated his last two years to writing for the automotive industry.