Injecting some fresh energy into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, Tesla has once again captured the lap record for the fastest production EV around the iconic Nürburgring race track. Last Friday, a Tesla Model S Plaid equipped with a new ‘Track Pack’ took a mere 7 minutes and 25.231 seconds to complete the 20.8km circuit.
Leaving Competition Behind
This time is not just impressive but also indicative of the fierce competition between Tesla and Porsche. The upgraded Model S lap timing is eight seconds faster than Porsche’s Taycan Turbo S’ record set in 2022 (7 minutes and 33.350 seconds). This rivalry has been going on for a few years now, with each manufacturer periodically claiming the top spot.
Comparative Performance
To give some context, the 7m 25s time is comparable to the performance of a Lamborghini Aventador, Mercedes-AMG SLS, and even a Ferrari Enzo. Even in the world of conventional cars, these times are nothing short of remarkable.
Under the Hood
While Tesla hasn’t revealed a lot about the individual responsible for setting the lap record or any particular modifications to the vehicle, the Model S Plaid Track Pack is effortless in its quickness. The Track Pack not only increases the top speed to a whopping 200mph but also offers better control over stability, battery conditioning, more frequent access to full power, and enhanced torque vectoring.
What’s Next?
With this new record, Tesla has thrown the gauntlet down to Porsche once again. As we keenly watch this back-and-forth, the question on everyone’s lips now is: what’s Porsche’s next move?
