Tesla Model S Plaid Sets New Record at Germany’s Famed Nürburgring Racetrack

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) Model S Plaid recently set the production electric car lap record at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. The record-setting automobile did not have tuning enhancements, according to company CEO Elon Musk.  

The Model S Plaid, which boasts newly developed technology, allegedly clocked in at 7:30:909 round the famed racetrack. The vehicle uses Tesla’s new tri-motor powertrain, which produces 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb.-ft of torque. This makes it 11.431 seconds quicker than the Porsche Taycan Turbo. The Taycan boasts a 616-hp dual-motor engine and is the second-fastest Electric Vehicle to lap the Nürburgring racetrack. A more powerful version of the Taycan Turbo, the 750-hp Taycan Turbo S, is yet to grace the Nürburgring stage. However, that may not matter much Rimac Nevera is likely to be the fastest car of them all around the track. The Croatian electric supercar has a 1,914-hp quad-motor engine.

Elon Musk suggested that the next phase will be for the Model S Plaid to run the Nürburgring track in enhanced mode. This includes the addition of aerodynamic pieces, carbon-ceramic brakes, and stickier tires. Musk further stated that Tesla lacked the components for this exercise and is banking on “good third-party mod shops.” The CEO also attempted to allay some concerns over Tesla’s well-known failures to release products as scheduled. Musk promised upcoming software updates that improve the user experience for the Model S Plaid.

Notable Models From Other Car Brands Hold Faster Lap Times Than Tesla Record At Nürburgring

Although there might be several high-performance cars faster than the Model S Plaid around Nürburgring, only a few are four-doored vehicles. The only two notable exceptions are the Jaguar XE SV Project, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+ 4-Door. The former clocked 7:23.164 in a Jaguar-conducted test, while the latter came in at 7:23.009 in a Mercedes-conducted, but independently timed test. 

The fastest electric car ever to lap the Nürburgring track is the Volkswagen ID.R, at 6:05:336. The vehicle is an all-electric racing car specifically built by Volkswagen to beat racing records. It has also set records at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and Goodwood Hill Climb.  

History suggests the Tesla Model S Plaid’s reported record time is up in the air until it has been independently verified. In its company-conducted test at Nürburgring, the Model S Plaid did two laps with only a 5-second difference in-between. This performance ranks in the upper echelons of electric vehicles, considering the length of the racetrack and performance history of EVs. There are prior cases of electric vehicles failing to complete a single lap and others overheating in action.

Nürburgring Nordschleife, also known as “The Green Hell,” is a world-renowned racetrack used to host German F1 races. It is known for its exceptional length of over 13 miles per lap, and technical difficulty. Currently, Nürburgring is a favored location for mainstream automobile companies to test their products. These car companies see the parameters offered by the racetrack as ideal for rating a car’s capabilities.   

TSLA Stock

TSLA rose from its previous close at $754.86 to its premarket price of $759.55. At the current moment, the stock is at $755. In the past year, TSLA has climbed by 102.53%. However, its year-to-date and 1-month changes have been lower increases of 6.97% and 5.26%, respectively. According to a Motley Fool report, demand for Tesla vehicles hit record highs as the year’s second quarter concluded. If Tesla is able to meet its projected deliveries for the coming quarters, its stock price might soar considerably.