Watch Tesla’s R&D Model S with “Plaid Powertrain” set a Laguna Seca lap record

Tesla Model S with development 'Plaid' powertrain sets Laguna Seca track record for 4-door sedan (Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has released a video showing a Model S with Plaid powertrain and chassis prototype setting a new track record at the famed Laguna Seca Raceway.

Setting a lap time of 1:36.555 seconds, Tesla’s run is the new fastest time recorded by a four-door electric sedan, besting the previous record of 1:37.5 set by a Tesla Model 3 Performance for an electric vehicle, and all-time record of 1:37:54 set by a Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

The footage released by Tesla follows yesterday’s tease by CEO Elon Musk of a Model S setting the Laguna Seca record.

It’s the first time the Silicon Valley-based electric carmaker has revealed a ‘Plaid powertrain’ setup. This comes on the heels of Porsche Taycan’s very public debut of its first track-ready high-performance electric sedan and video of its record-setting Nürburgring run.

Plaid Mode was introduced by Elon Musk in 2015 during the next-gen Roadster unveiling. Plaid Mode refers to the speed of the vehicle and pays tribute to 1987 hit film Spaceballs, where Musk has found many inspirations, like fellow speed mode “Ludicrous” and Boring Company’s Flamethrower.

Musk also announced that Plaid Mode would be included on future models of the S, X and both trims of the Roadster, allowing consumers to experience intergalactic speed like those in Mel Brooks famous space film.

Watch the Tesla Model S running Plaid Powertrain break the four-door record at Laguna Seca below:

Joey Klender: Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his time at TESLARATI, Joey has broken several big stories, including the first images of the Tesla Model S Plaid, the imminent release of the 4680 Model Y through EPA certification, and several expansions to the Lucid AMP-1 factory in Arizona, to name a few. His stories have been featured in several publications, including Yahoo! Finance, Fox News, CNET, and Seeking Alpha. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on Twitter @KlenderJoey.
Related Post
Disqus Comments Loading...