The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid goes around the ring in 7 minutes and 35 seconds, a new record for a production EV.

Posted on September 10, 2021
Electric cars
The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid goes around the ring in 7 minutes and 35 seconds, a new record for a production EV.

The 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid lapped the 12.9 miles of the Nürburgring in 7:35.579. This is a new record for a production electric car on the grueling German race track, but still somewhat behind internal combustion engine cars in its class.

The fastest production car in the ring is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series, with a 6:43.61 in 2020; as for four-door cars, the current record is 7:18.361, set in 2019 by the Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

However, the time is still impressive considering that the next fastest production EV, the Porsche Taycan Turbo, could only manage 7:42. That was in 2019. Of course, the Model S Plaid delivers 1,020 hp, which is comparable to a hypercar, while the Taycan Turbo's peak output is 671 hp.

The Model S Plaid prototype was a regular at the Nürburgring during its development phase back in 2019. At the time, Tesla estimated that 7:20s were possible and even 7:05s were possible. However, it appears that Tesla's prediction was slightly off.

It may not be the fastest car in the ring, but when it comes to 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times, the Model S Plaid is definitely the fastest. Tesla claims that it accelerates to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds, the quarter mile in 9.23 seconds, and a top speed of 200 mph. These first two numbers are world records for a production car.

If you want to feel that performance yourself every day, the Model S Plaid is available now for $131,190. There is also a Model X Plaid with the same powertrain and slightly more modest performance, starting at $121,190. Both include destination.

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