Tesla confirms record Model S Nürburgring times, promises to do even better next month

Porsche fans and Tesla critics are finding hard to accept that a performance sedan EV can beat a race-tuned $150,000 Porsche sports car, but there has been a number of reports that Tesla did just that with the Model S at Nürburgring and today the company confirmed the reports with the following tweet:

Data from our track tests indicates that Model S Plaid can achieve 7:20 at the Nürburgring.

With some improvements, 7:05 may be possible when Model S returns next month.

— Tesla (@Tesla) September 19, 2019

Tesla appears to have comfortable beat the 7:42 time of the Porsche Taycan, and promised to do even better with a 7:05 time next month.

Tesla appears to have set up shop at Nürburgring, even installing their own supercharger there.

We installed a Supercharger at Nürburgring. Makes it feel like home, you know? pic.twitter.com/x1tPjI7bi0

— Tesla (@Tesla) September 18, 2019

Despite Tesla’s claim of a 7:20 capability, some people have continued to doubt the time, making claims for example that Tesla did not do the full 20.8 km stretch.

CarAdvice, however, reports that the times were measured repeatedly over the full length of the course, with a car magazine writer Stefan Baldauf  noting:

“The lap time I have specified (7:24) is valid for a full lap over the entire distance of 20.832 kilometres of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, not bridge-to-gantry as speculated on the internet,”

Of course, critics will never be satisfied, noting that the Tesla Model S had special modifications that were not available in the stock car. It is notable however that the Porsche Taycan used for the Nürburgring trial was also a pre-production prototype vehicle, and that Tesla intends to release the Plaid Tesla Model S some time next year also.

The “Plaid” Tesla Model S has an upgraded drive train with 3 motors (2 rear, 1 front), and the version seen in Germany had a new fascia, spoiler and other modifications.

Tesla has said that the “plaid” Model S will be hitting the market late next year, will seat 7 in a 5 forward, 2 rear-facing configuration and will cost a bit more than a regular Model S, but cheaper than rival offerings. The “Plaid” power train 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.

Via Electrek