Is the Tesla Model S Plaid+ still alive?
A hotted-up version of the Tesla Model S Plaid sedan has been spied doing some track testing around the Nürburgring.
Setting this prototype apart from the regular Plaid is the lower ride height and huge ceramic brakes, as well as a front splitter and a large rear spoiler.
Speaking of this rear spoiler, according to our spy photographer this wing is active and can articulate.
When the prototype drove past the photographer, the spoiler apparently went from horizontal to almost vertical.
This prototype was joined at the Green Hell by another two regular Model S Plaid models.
There was a red prototype that has been spied at the Nürburgring several times, as well as a black Model S Plaid that appeared to be standard apart from racing seats according to our spy photographer.
It’s likely that Tesla is benchmarking this modified Plaid prototype against the two other Model S prototypes to compare speed and timing around the Nürburgring.
By the looks of it, Tesla is aiming to beat its record lap time itself before any other manufacturer can topple the electric vehicle giant.
The current record for the fastest production electric car is the Tesla Model S Plaid that lapped the Nordschleife in 7:30.909 at an average speed of 166.32.
This record lap time is 11 seconds faster than the previous record holder, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
When Tesla CEO, Elon Musk tweeted about the lap times that the Model S Plaid had achieved, he also alluded to this modified Model S Plaid.
“Next will be modified Plaid with added aero surfaces, carbon brakes & track tires (all things that can be done with Tesla being in the loop),” Musk said on Twitter.
It’s not certain if this modified version of the Model S Plaid will ever make its way into a production Plaid+ model.
The Model S Plaid+ was axed in June 2021 after promises of it being the company’s longest-range and highest-performance car yet.
Musk announced that the model won’t make production because the regular Plaid is “just too good”.
The Model S Plaid+ claimed it could produce 820kW of power and could travel more than 840km on a full battery charge.
Instead customers had to make do with the regular Plaid model, which is no slouch at all.
The Model S Plaid produces 761kW thanks to the car’s tri-motor powertrain and can travel an estimated 628km on a charge.
Production and deliveries of the regular Plaid have already started, but Australian buyers will have to wait until the end of 2022 to get their hands on it.
The Tesla Model S Plaid is priced from $186,990 before on-road costs ($231,434 drive-away) locally.
MORE: Everything Tesla Model S
