Tesla Model S Plaid Reclaims Nurburgring EV Lap Record From Porsche

Tesla staff with two Model S Plaid EV sports saloons, presumably primed with a new 'Track Package'.

The Tesla Model S Plaid has reclaimed the crown as the fastest electric vehicle (EV) around the Nurburgring earlier this week. This latest attempt saw the EV automaker beat the previous record set by rivalling Porsche Taycan Turbo S by a significant margin too.

Through a video released by Tesla officially on YouTube depicting the attempt, the firm showed that the Model S Plaid logged in a blistering time of 7 minutes 25.23 seconds around the famed 20.8 KM-long German course.

The model used for this latest run reported featured an unmodified tri-motor setup outputting 1,020 HP. However, it did feature what Tesla dubs as a new “Track Package”. Said option sees the regular Plaid variant’s brakes, tyres and wheels replaced – or upgraded – with high-performance alternatives.

The biggest updates come to the braking system, which was likely mandated for this rather heavy electric sport saloon. Included in this upgraded were carbon ceramic rotors, one-piece forged calipers, high-performance pads, and new brake fluid. Also, a firmware update was reportedly required to run it all.

2023MY Tesla Model S Plaid.

Brakes aside, the “Track Package” also reportedly saw the Model S Plaid laced with lighter new 20-inch forged aluminium wheels. These were then shod with (presumably) stickier Goodyear Supercar 3R tyres as well.

The result sees this sports saloon beat the rivalling Porsche by a whopping 8 seconds. Porsche last held the crown of the fastest EV around the Nurburgring when the Taycan Turbo S logged in a laptime of 7 minutes 33 seconds in August last year.

The Model S Plaid may have beaten the Porsche Taycan (pictured, left), but the threat of the Rimac Nevera (right) snatching the Nurburgring EV crown now looms over it.

While this may be thrilling news, fans in right-hand-drive (RHD) markets won’t be so chuffed. Following Tesla’s latest announcement, this is one Tesla offering that fans in most RHD markets in the world won’t be able to acquire.

Also, Tesla’s reign might fall short should Croatian start-up EV supercar marque Rimac decide on their own attempt around ‘The Green Hell’ with its Nevera. The marque and said EV supercar was spotted testing there recently, thus an attempt, or announcement of which, is likely due any day now.