Here’s Everything You Need to Know About The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid

Often while launching or promoting products, companies make huge promises. Some say their product is the best in the industry, some claim it’s harmless to the environment, and others make up whatever they can think of at the moment. But as customers, have you ever cross-checked those claims? 

Afif Kusuma/Unsplash | Though Elon Musk claims Tesla Model S Plaid goes from zero-to-60 mph in 1.99 seconds, in reality it takes 2.1 seconds, 0.1 seconds behind the fastest car – the Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Well, Car and Driver did, and it found that Elon Musk’s claim of Tesla Model S Plaid being the fastest production car ever built isn’t completely true. Model S Plaid, which was launched recently, promises that it can reach a zero-to-60-mph speed in 1.99 seconds, but Car and Driver’s road test proves otherwise. 

The hows and whys to the test

As per Tesla’s reports, when Model S Plaid is launched on a super-sticky drag-strip surface, it takes 1.99 seconds to reach 60mph. However, when Car and Driver tested the vehicle on a non-prepped surface similar to the pavement on regular roads, the car took 2.1 seconds to reach 60mph. It was 0.1 seconds behind the fastest car (Ferrari SF90 Stradale) and tied with the 911 Turbo S and Porsche 918 Spyder. It also matched the speed of the Bugatti Chiron, which reaches 151 mph in 9.4 seconds, and the best part is it’s way cheaper than Chiron.

Marc Urbano/Car & Driver | The Plaid’s radiator is two times bigger than it used to be and helps the vehicle run up to eight consecutive passes without hampering performance

Another thing that caught people’s attention was the car’s acceleration, which was only 0.1 seconds slower while crossing the quarter-mile, and decreased the customers’ waiting time that used to be 10 seconds before the car squatted.

The unique thing noticed during the test was the Plaid’s radiator, which is two times bigger than it used to be, and helped the vehicle run eight consecutive passes without hampering its performance. If you look at the previous models like the Model Ss, its radiator wasn’t large enough and degraded its performance after certain passes. But, thankfully, that isn’t a concern with S Plaid!

The acceleration in S Plaid is such that when you’re traveling at high speed and push the accelerator suddenly, it seems as if all four tires are scrabbling for grip. And that’s not it! It’s the quickest car tested from 30 to 50 mph, reaching the said limit in 0.9 seconds and from 50 to 70 mph in 1.0 seconds. Earlier, Tesla declared that someday the S Plaid would be able to reach 200mph, but during Car and Driver’s road test, the car didn’t cross 162 mph. Perhaps that goal would be a tough one to accomplish!

Marc Urbano/Car & Driver | The acceleration in S Plaid is such that when you’re traveling at high speed and push the accelerator suddenly, it seems as if all four tires are scrabbling for grip

Can you conduct the test to check the car’s speed yourself?

Testing Tesla’s claim is quite easy. You just have to select the Drag Strip mode available on the 17.0-inch touchscreen, wait for a few seconds till the battery reaches the ideal temperature, and then press the accelerator and brake simultaneously. Doing the drill, as mentioned, would easily help you reach what Tesla calls a Cheetah Stance, and you’ll be able to verify the claim yourself.