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Tesla Model S Plaid sets new record at the Nürburgring in final run for the year

A Tesla Model S prototype on the Nurburgring. (Photo: Auto Motor Uund Sport)

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6 years ago

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Recent reports from German motoring publication Auto Motor und Sport have revealed that the blue Tesla Model S Plaid prototype has broken the company’s previous unofficial record on the Nurburgring, with the vehicle completing a lap around the track in 7:13. The Model S was able to accomplish this feat not just once, but twice. 

What is even more impressive was that Tesla accomplished this feat with a unit that previously completed a 7:40 lap around the Nurburgring in September. During that time, Tesla was able to finish a reported hand-stopped lap of 7:23, though it used its red Model S Plaid prototype, a vehicle that unfortunately crashed during a hot lap in recent weeks. Fortunately, the red Model S’ driver, Andreas Simonsen, was unharmed during the accident.  

As noted by the publication, the blue Model S Plaid prototype was driven around the Nurburgring by Nordschleife expert and racing driver Thomas Mutsch. For its record-setting runs, the Model S was equipped with its large rear diffuser and a small rear spoiler. A large spoiler spotted by photographers previously had reportedly been removed by Tesla after a short session around the track. The vehicle was equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Cup R sports tires for its record-setting runs as well. 

Blue Tesla Model S with Plaid Powertrain returns to the Nurburgring. (Credit: Teslarati)

That being said, the blue Plaid Tesla Model S’ two 7:13 records are still unofficial lap times for the vehicle. Thus, for now at least, the electric car maker simply has the knowledge that its upgraded Tesla Model S is capable of beating the already-stellar 7:23 record it set for itself during its first excursion into the track over a month ago. Nevertheless, the blue Plaid Model S’ recent unofficial record is still 8 seconds shy of the 7:05 estimate that Tesla announced on Twitter when it left the Nurburgring for the first time in late September. 

Auto Motor und Sport noted that the Tesla team has departed the iconic German racetrack for now, with the team likely not coming back this year. The two vehicles used for the test — the red Model S Plaid that crashed, as well as the blue Plaid unit that set the 7:13 record — are reportedly being sent home to the United States. With this in mind, it appears that Tesla might be preparing to return to the Nurburgring with new Model S Plaid units next year, perhaps finally ready to set its own official lap record. 

A blue Tesla Model S Plaid unit with new aeros attacks the Nurburgring. (Photo: Stefan Baldauf/Auto Motor Uund Sport)

What is particularly interesting is that Tesla’s new unofficial lap time around the Nurburgring is already 29 seconds faster than the Porsche Taycan Turbo prototype that set an unofficial 7:42 record of its own around the German racetrack prior to the all-electric sports car’s official release. Considering that the blue Model S Plaid reportedly left the track last September with a 7:40 lap, the vehicle’s current 7:13 time is quite a notable improvement. 

After all, it appears that Tesla was testing two Plaid Model S variants in the Nurburgring this time around. Based on the initial track times of the two prototypes, it appears that Tesla was actually benchmarking the red and blue Model S against each other. And between the two vehicles, it almost seemed like the blue Plaid Model S was the more conservatively-specced vehicle. Either way, Tesla’s return next year would likely be incredibly exciting, as the company would likely come back with a vehicle that will be very close to the actual production Plaid Model S that’s set for release next year. 

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At 7:13, Tesla’s Model S Plaid prototype has already exceeded the lap time of the 2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8, which completed the Nurburgring in a blazing-fast 7:21. That’s the fastest four-door vehicle around the Nurburgring to date, not counting the prototype monster that Porsche brought over to the track recently, the Panamera “Lion” project, which reportedly completed a 7:11 lap. Quite interestingly, it appears that no laps have been done by Porsche with the Taycan Turbo S as of yet.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk

xAI supercomputer faces lawsuit over air pollution concerns

NAACP & environmental groups are suing Elon Musk’s xAI over turbine emissions at its Colossus supercomputer site.

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33 minutes ago

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June 18, 2025

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xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
(Credit: xAI)

The xAI supercomputer, Colossus, faces a potential lawsuit from the NAACP and the Southern Environmental Law Center over pollution concerns tied to its gas-powered turbines. The facility has sparked debate over its environmental impact versus economic benefits.

The xAI data center has been operational since last year. The company used pollution-emitting turbines without an air permit, citing a 364-day exemption. Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Patrick Anderson disputed xAI’s exemption, stating: “there is no such exemption for turbines — and that regardless, it has now been more than 364 days.”

The groups issued a 60-day notice of intent to sue under the Clean Air Act, challenging xAI’s permit application under review by the Shelby County Health Department.

According to AP, critics argue the turbines emit smog, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and formaldehyde, worsening health risks in an area with cancer rates four times the national average.

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“The permit itself says emissions from the site ‘will be an area source for hazardous air pollutants,’” the Southern Environmental Law Center noted, alleging Clean Air Act violations.

Opponents claim xAI installed up to 35 turbines—exceeding the 15 requested—without community oversight, straining Memphis’s power grid.

xAI responded: “The temporary power generation units are operating in compliance with all applicable laws.”

The company highlighted its economic contributions, including billions in investments, millions in taxes, and hundreds of jobs. At an April community meeting, xAI’s Brent Mayo underscored that the “tax revenue will support vital programs like public safety, health, human services, education, firefighters, police, parks, and so much more.” He projected that xAI would generate over $100 million in tax revenue by next year. The company is also investing $35 million in a power substation and $80 million in a water recycling plant.

Additionally, xAI is transitioning to sustainable power, particularly Tesla Megapacks. It is actively working on demobilizing the gas turbines.

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“The temporary natural gas turbines that were being used to power the [xAI’s] Phase I GPUs prior to grid connection are now being demobilized and will be removed from the site over the next two months,” shared the Greater Memphis Chamber. xAI brought Tesla Megapack batteries and a 150-megawatt substation online earlier this year.

Despite xAI’s expansion to a second 1-million-square-foot site, the lawsuit threat underscores tensions between innovation and environmental justice.

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Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk hits back at drug use claims, calls publications ‘hypocrites’

Elon Musk showed a clean drug test, dispelling any rumors of drug use that came from unfounded reports from two large media outlets.

Published

15 hours ago

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June 17, 2025

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Credit: Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has responded to a report from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, as both publications claimed he was abusing drugs while being involved with President Trump on both the campaign trail and while he was active within the administration after the election.

A bombshell report from the New York Times, published in late May, stated that Musk was regularly using things like ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms, and also stimulants like Adderall, during his time within the Trump administration.

The reports cited inside sources who claimed the Tesla and SpaceX frontman was using substances during his time with the government.

However, Musk published the results of a recent drug test performed at Fastest Labs of South Austin. They showed ‘Negative’ results across the board:

Musk was not done there.

He went on to say the New York Times “lies as easy as breathing. It’s normal for them.” He also said both the Times and Wall Street Journal reporters should also publish their own drug test results, stating, “They won’t, because those hypocrites are guilty as sin.”

Musk said years ago that he received ketamine prescriptions from doctors to treat depression. He said he had it “years ago and said so on X, so this is not even news.” He also said that ketamine “helps for getting out of dark mental holes, but haven’t taken it since then.”

Tesla fans and Musk enthusiasts have joked for days now that, if Musk were to be on drugs, other CEOs should also do them, considering his persistence on work-related projects, long hours, and commitment to his job.

Musk has now proven that there has been no drug use with this test, and it seems as if the reports could have some sort of legal impact, although he has not said he will take any action.

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Tesla’s Grok integration will be more realistic with this cool feature

Tesla is preparing Grok for its first integration into vehicles, but it’s making it more robust than ever, firmware shows.

Published

16 hours ago

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June 17, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has not yet integrated the AI assistant Grok into its vehicles, but when it does, it will be even more realistic with a new feature that firmware coding shows.

CEO Elon Musk teased a few months back that Grok would be making its way into vehicles in the near future. The implementation has not yet occurred, but we are confident it will be rolling out soon, especially as Tesla has its sights set on a near-term rollout of the Robotaxi platform.

Tesla’s vehicles expected to get Grok voice assistant—but when?

Grok will enable AI assistance for drivers who are both manually operating Tesla vehicles or using the company’s Full Self-Driving suite. It has been widely popular and extremely useful for users on X, Musk’s social media platform.

However, Tesla hacker green has revealed through firmware that the company is planning to roll out Grok into vehicles with personalities, giving it an even more realistic tone that is totally customizable and catered to whatever the driver wants.

There are also a handful of kids’ versions that will do things like tell stories or play trivia:

The true capabilities of Grok are nearly limitless. Back in January, Musk said on a livestream on X that, “You’ll be able to talk to your Tesla and ask for anything.”

Grok appears to only be available on AMD-based vehicles, according to other things green found in the firmware. This means that Intel-based Teslas, which are usually older models, will not enable Grok support for right now.

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