In a recent review of the updated Tesla Model S Plaid, Motor Trend divulged that in stock form, the all-electric vehicle may not meet the required standards for competition in drag racing events sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
The updated Model S Plaid was revealed last week during a landmark event put on by the California based automaker. During the presentation, CEO Elon Musk extolled the capabilities of the flagship model, claiming that it has broken the “two-second barrier,” referring to the car's 0-60 mph time.
Turns out, that may be too fast for drag racing without additional safety modifications. According to the 2020 NHRA rulebook, a roll cage is mandatory in cars running 10.99 seconds or quicker in the quarter-mile or any car exceeding 135 mph.
The Tesla’s claimed 0-60 mph time has sparked some controversy as well. While Motor Trend was able to hit 1.98 seconds, it was on a surface that was prepped with VHT TrackBite, which is a synthetic resin that increases the traction of a car’s tires.
Tesla Model S Plaid's Design Features
Several new design features have been incorporated into the Model S Plaid to enable this level of performance. The drivetrain has been updated with the latest battery cell technology connected to a single front and twin rear motors. According to Tesla, the new battery pack allows for quicker charge times, with a fast-charging capability of 187 miles of range in 15 minutes.
While the vehicle lacks a multi-speed gearbox, the electric motors have been fitted with an innovative carbon fiber sleeve that allows them to rotate at up to 20,000 rpm, giving the vehicle a higher top speed.
During the reveal, Musk cited the improvements that have been made over the former model and encapsulated the reasoning behind it. "This is what I call limit-of-physics engineering,” said Musk
According to Musk, the car’s purpose is to demonstrate the potential of electrification. "Why make this really fast car that’s crazy fast?” Musk said. “It’s something that’s quite important to the future of sustainable energy. We’ve gotta show that an electric car is the best car, hands down.
Source: MotorTrend, Electrek.co