Tesla CEO Elon Musk rubs his hands. The Tesla Model S Plaid is the fastest electric production car on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The heaviest version of the Model S knocks the Porsche Taycan off the throne.
In 2019, Porsche’s test driver Lars Kern behind the wheel of a Porsche Taycan Turbo completed a lap of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife just under 21 kilometers in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. Tesla CEO Elon Musk reports on Twitter that an unmodified Model S Plaid has officially completed a lap on the famous German circuit in 7 minutes and 35.58 seconds. This makes the Model S Plaid the fastest electric production car ever on the circuit and is much faster than its rival from Stuttgart.
Tesla Model S Plaid just set official world speed record for a production electric car at Nurburgring. Completely unmodified, directly from factory. pic.twitter.com/AaiFtfW5Ht
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2021
Small side note: The 680 hp Taycan Turbo that was chased over the ‘Ring by Lars Kern in 2019, has a 761 hp Taycan Turbo S version above it. It is not inconceivable that the Taycan Turbo S will eventually break the lap record of the Model S Plaid again. With its 1,020 hp, the Model S Plaid is much more powerful than the Turbo S, but power does not say everything.
Musk also indicates that it will soon come with special ‘track software’ for the Model S Plaid and that it will also release a Model S Plaid equipped with aerodynamic extras, carbon ceramic brakes and racing tires on the Nürburgring. However, the brand itself will not take such a sportier version into production.
How relevant are such competitions? That is of course the question. With sporty top versions such as the Model S Plaid and Taycan Turbo (S), a lap time on the ‘Ring’ says something about the capabilities of the car, although there are many other variables that you can depend on your car choice.