Record time: Tesla Model S Plaid claims EV Nurburgring lap record

KUALA LUMPUR: Elon Musk’s Twitter account reveals big news - Tesla Model S Plaid has claimed a 7 min 35.579-second lap record time at Nurburgring for production electric cars. Making it over 11 seconds quicker than the Porsche Taycan, which set a 43 second lap time in 2019.

His exact words were, “[The> Tesla Model S Plaid [has> just set the official world speed record for a production car at the Nurburgring. Completely unmodified, directly from factory.” Mr. Musk also revealed that the company’s next attempt at another Nurburgring lap time will be with the modified Model S Plaid. Speaking of revisions, the car will get additional elements like - track-oriented tyres, aero surfaces, and carbon brakes.

He said, “Next will be modified Plaid with added aero surfaces, carbon brakes & track tires (all things that can be done without Tesla being in the loop).”

What powers the Model S Plaid that just broke the EV Nurburgring lap record?

Well, the Tesla Model S range-topping Plaid trim is powered by a tri-motor engine making a maximum power of 1,020 hp. In comparison, the range-topping Taycan Turbo S model two-motor setup makes 761 hp and 1,050 Nm of torque.

So other production cars and their stunning record time around the Nordschleife -

• Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance kit - 6 minutes 43.300 seconds / 66 minutes 38.835 seconds (alternative timing that excludes a circuit portion)
• Mercedes-AMG with GT Black Series - 6 minutes 43.616 seconds / 6 minutes 48.047 seconds (including the long straight)
• Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo - 5 minutes 19.6 seconds

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