[RahulNagaraj]

The Tesla Model S Plaid is the brand's flagship electric sedan offering. Tesla had initially promised a top speed of 200 mph for the Model S Plaid, however, at the time of delivery, the electric sedan had a software-limited top speed of 163 mph (262 km/h). Earlier this year, Tesla introduced a 'Track Mode' on the Model S Plaid, which increased its top speed to 175 mph (282 km/h).



Now, a Quebec-based tuner - Ingenext, has managed to get around the software limitations on the Model S Plaid to completely unlock its top speed. According to media reports, Ingenext CEO, Guillaume Andre got behind the wheel of the unlocked Tesla Model S Plaid and managed to reach a top speed of 216 mph (347.6 km/h) for the first time. The speed run took place at Trois-Rivieres airport in Quebec, Canada.

Reports suggest that the only modifications made on the Tesla Model S Plaid, apart from bypassing the software restrictions were the addition of bigger brakes from Mountainpass Performance and higher performance tyres (Michelin Pilot Super Sport) - mainly for safety purposes.

Source: Electrek

Link to Team-BHP news

[n_pathak]

It's really insane for a road-legal pure EV to achieve this feat. One can only imagine how well-engineered (or may be over-engineered if compared to Indian automakers' standards) the BMS, motors and the drivetrains of Tesla cars are.

A very pleasing thing about EVs is that higher performance is not inversely proportional to economy/mileage/range. This same model S Plaid also has a ~400 miles range and ~1000bhp available in the same configuration.

Ferraris and Lamborghinis will have a lot to catch-up with this when they start shelving their V8s and V10s for an EV powertrain.

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by n_pathak

It's really insane for a road-legal pure EV to achieve this feat. One can only imagine how well-engineered (or may be over-engineered if compared to Indian automakers' standards) the BMS, motors and the drivetrains of Tesla cars are.

A very pleasing thing about EVs is that higher performance is not inversely proportional to economy/mileage/range. This same model S Plaid also has a ~400 miles range and ~1000bhp available in the same configuration.

Ferraris and Lamborghinis will have a lot to catch-up with this when they start shelving their V8s and V10s for an EV powertrain.

Well, top speed isn't everything. I remember the Brabus version of the Mercedes S class from 10 years ago having an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/hr - faster than any Lamborghini or Ferrari from that time. Any Ferrari or Lamborghini today (except perhaps the Urus) will beat the Tesla Model S Plaid on a track.

Even in the realm of electric cars, while Teslas still come with the legacy 400V architecture, other brands like Hyundai/Kia and Audi/Porsche have moved to a more advanced 800V architecture with faster charge times. Infact, Tesla's silicon valley rival - Lucid comes with a 900V architecture.

[n_pathak]

Originally Posted by dragracer567

Well, top speed isn't everything. I remember the Brabus version of the Mercedes S class from 10 years ago having an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/hr - faster than any Lamborghini or Ferrari from that time. Any Ferrari or Lamborghini today (except perhaps the Urus) will beat the Tesla Model S Plaid on a track.

Even in the realm of electric cars, while Teslas still come with the legacy 400V architecture, other brands like Hyundai/Kia and Audi/Porsche have moved to a more advanced 800V architecture with faster charge times. Infact, Tesla's silicon valley rival - Lucid comes with a 900V architecture.

Agreed, Teslas are not the ultimate benchmark of raw performance or a state-of-the-art EV design.

My point is, it's quite interesting to see that a single EV model with little to no modification can be a track-beast and a humble economical mile-muncher in the same package. One wouldn't know many ICE supercars that can do both. I believe there are none. What's the max fuel economy that anyone would have heard of of a stock S class or Urus?

Lucid looks quite promising in tech and design.

[myavu]

Originally Posted by dragracer567

Any Ferrari or Lamborghini today (except perhaps the Urus) will beat the Tesla Model S Plaid on a track.

But Model S Plaid was never meant for track and will beat Ferrari or Lamborghini on a straight line hands down.

Originally Posted by dragracer567

Infact, Tesla's silicon valley rival - Lucid comes with a 900V architecture.

You are comparing a 10 year old basic car to a modern car like Lucid. That is not an apple to apple comparison when considering the price difference between both.

Cheers!

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by myavu

But Model S Plaid was never meant for track and will beat Ferrari or Lamborghini on a straight line hands down.

My comment was a reply to the notion that Ferrari and Lamborghini would've to catch up to Tesla. Nothing to take away from the Plaid, it is an amazing car, but as you rightly pointed out, it is mostly straight-line performance - sorta like the EV equivalent of the Dodge Charger Hellcat. The Model S is an amazing touring car and a mile-muncher though!

You are comparing a 10 year old basic car to a modern car like Lucid. That is not an apple to apple comparison when considering the price difference between both.

Again, my comment was a reply to the notion that Tesla is far ahead of its competition. That's just no longer the case.