Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? That is probably what drivers say when they see a Tesla Model S Plaid in their rear-view mirror, closing in on them on the highway. But can it actually close in on them at 200 mph?
The Model S Plaid equipped with the Track Package, available since June, can hit a top speed of 200 mph (322 kph). Or at least Tesla says so. Without the package, the Tesla is limited to 166 mph (267 kph).
In June, the EV carmaker announced that such a Model S with the Track Pack set a new record for production EVs at the Nurburgring. The Model S Plaid with the Track Package lapped the 12.9-mile Green Hell in 7:25.231.
The car only takes 1.99 seconds to flash from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) and needs 9.23 seconds for the quarter mile. But what makes it so fast? You can blame it on the three electric motors, one on the front axle and two at the rear, as well as on the 1,020-horsepower and the 1,047 lb-ft (1,420 Nm) of instantaneous torque. Low drag coefficient of only 0.208 also gives a helping hand when this car is ready for takeoff.
And takeoff it did. The AutoTopNL team took the Model S Plaid equipped with the Track Package to a no-speed limit sector on the German autobahn to put it to the test.
Is Tesla telling the truth? Apparently no. Because the top speed is obviously not just 200 mph (322 kph) since the speedometer shows 204 mph ( 328 kph). The video below shows exactly how fast the car can go that far.
The AutoTopNL team also took the Model S Plaid to Circuit Paul Ricard in France for a bit of fun.
What is the Tesla Model S Plaid’s Track Package?
Back in June, Tesla announced the availability of the Track Package, which takes the top speed from 166 mph all the way to 200 mph.
Compatible with the Model S Plaid 2021 or newer, the pack brings aluminum forged wheels, track-ready tires, new carbon-silicon carbide rotors, and one-piece forged calipers with high-performance pads.
The car gets equipped with 20-inch Zero-G wheels, lighter than all the other options in the lineup, with 285/35R20 Goodyear Supercar 3R tires at the front and 305/30R20 Goodyear Supercar 3R tires on the rear axle. Tesla insists such tires are not recommended for winter use when temperatures drop below 40 F (5 C).
The package also tweaks the regenerative braking and cooling system for better performance.
Those who want their Model S Plaid upgraded have to pay between $15,000 and $20,000, depending on their preferences. Shipping and installation are included in the price.
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