All Nürburgring bets are off as Elon Musk reveals Model S "Plaid Powertrain"
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Last week Elon Musk announced that Elon Musk would be taking on the Porsche Taycan’s EV speed record at Nürburgring, but given the special engineering of the Porsche most did not give the sedan car much odds.
As usual, however, Elon Musk had a card up his sleeve, which he revealed today.
The only thing beyond Ludicrous is Plaid
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 12, 2019
Like all Tesla power levels, the name comes from the Spaceballs movie, one of Musk’s favourite movies.
Tesla revealed the Model S had a new “Plaid powertrain and chassis prototype.” The power of the new power train was demonstrated at Laguna Seca Elon Musk where the Model S set a new record for fastest 4 door ever.
*~ Some personal news ~*
We lapped Laguna Seca @WeatherTechRcwy in 1:36.555 during advanced R&D testing of our Model S Plaid powertrain and chassis prototype
(That’s a second faster than the record for a four-door sedan) pic.twitter.com/OriccK4KCZ
— Tesla (@Tesla) September 12, 2019
Musk revealed the new powertrain will hit production next year and will be available as a next-level option for the Model S, Model X and the new Roadster, but not the Model 3 or Y.
The new powertrain will cost more than the current version but “less than competitors”, presumably pointing at the $150,000+ price of the Porsche Taycan.
Tesla has been spending this week tuning the Model S at Nürburgring and has not released any times yet. The recent revelation, however, suggests that Tesla may indeed give Porsche a run for their money.
