Tesla cancels Model S Plaid+ because Plaid is 'just so good'
Tuesday, 8 June 2021
Tesla has killed the Model S Plaid+ before it was given a chance to turn our internal organs two-dimensional ahead of the Plaid’s full reveal in three days.
The high-power electric four-door would have boasted three electric motors pushing power over the 1100hp mark (820kW) and the 0-100kmh sprint “below 2.1 seconds”. Range was also set to be the highest in the Model S range, at a claimed 840km before needing a recharge.
As Tesla prepares to launch the regular Plaid (sans ‘+’), Elon Musk confirmed the axing of the range-topper via Twitter.
Apparently, the standard Plaid is so good that Tesla doesn’t need the ‘+’ suffix. No other reasoning was given, so feel free to speculate.
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In any case, the Plaid should still be an absolute weapon of a sedan. Musk added that it would hit 60mph (97kmh) in less than two seconds, making it the “quickest production car ever made of any kind.”
We’d imagine Rimac and it’s new Nevera would have something to say about that, considering it spits out a silly 1427kW of power and an even sillier 2360Nm of torque combined from its four permanent magnet motors.
More performance claims: the Plaid will blitz the quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds, Tesla says, along with a 200mph (321kmh). For comparison, Rimac claims the Nevera can do the same drag in 8.6 seconds, hitting 300kmh in 9.3 seconds.
It’s a little apples-to-oranges, considering the various differences between the Nevera and the Model S Plaid, but Musk does specifically say his car is the fastest “ever made of any kind.”
As for the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, the Plaid should be substantially faster in a straight line, at least based on the paper specs. It also costs substantially less, starting at NZ$209,990. You won’t get one until at least 2022, though.
Other non-powertrain-related updates to Tesla’s large sedan include a new battery architecture with better thermal performance, a heat pump and “the ability to perform consistent, back-to-back quarter mile runs.”
Inside there have been some significant changes, with the portrait touchscreen gone in favour of a unit similar to that on the Model 3 and the steering wheel getting cut in half, F1-style. There are heated seats for every passenger, heated steering and a heated windscreen, while the front seats are ventilated too.
In the second row, there’s an 8.0-inch display while front passengers get access to a new gaming computer that can run everything from The Witcher 3 to Stardew Valley.
Tesla says it offers performance “on-par with today’s newest consoles” which is pretty impressive. The second row also has a stowable centre armrest with wireless charging.
Outside the new models are new wheels and tyres for improved performance, handling, efficiency and comfort while the Model S has a wider body and chassis for improved handling.